If you enjoy science in general and life sciences in particular, you might want to consider biological sciences as a major. Many students choose this major because they feel it is directly related to the postgraduate training and career they hope to enter, including all of the health sciences.
Why
Study Biology at Iowa?
U.S. News & World Report ranked Iowa's doctorate in biology among the top 50 programs of its kind in the nation. Biological sciences also is one of the most popular Iowa majors among incoming first-year students. The program enrolls about 600 students.
The Department of Biological Sciences has introduced two important innovations in its program that put it at the forefront of biology education. One is a redesigned Bachelor of Science program with specialized tracks in leading research areas such as genetics and biotechnology, neurobiology, cell biology, and evolution. These tracks are suitable for students with interests in current research as well as health-related fields, including medicine. The comprehensive biology track is specially designed to prepare future secondary school and college teachers.
A second innovation is an Interactive Web Application designed specifically for biological sciences majors. It allows students to plan their degree program with related science and math classes for their entire undergraduate career.
The department also acquaints students with the work of practicing scientists through one of the department’s research groups. Students participate in laboratory experiments, discuss current research, study specialized topics, and attend seminars.
Course
Work
The BS and BA programs in biology include a core curriculum with an introductory course sequence and courses in fundamental genetics and evolution. Beyond that core, the programs are diverse in content, preparing students for the variety of career opportunities in the biological sciences. Each program includes 18 courses (63-70 semester hours [s.h.]) in biological sciences, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Of these, 11 courses are specifically in biology or biochemistry.
BS in
Biology
The BS degree is divided into tracks emphasizing the most dynamic areas in the biological sciences. Students may choose one of six tracks: cell and developmental biology, evolution, genetics and biotechnology, neurobiology, plant physiology and molecular biology, and comprehensive biology. Each of the first five tracks includes:
- Three
core courses chosen for broad coverage of the area.
- An appropriate
biochemistry course.
- An investigative
lab course.
- At least
two courses from a carefully selected list of electives.
In the comprehensive biology track, students choose at least one course in each of six different areas covering important biological sciences concepts, as well as one investigative lab course.
BA in Biology
The BA degree curriculum features a combination of directed breadth and student choice. Students must complete:
- A chemistry-physics-math
foundation.
- Four core biology
courses.
- One course
in each of three breadth menus: molecular and cellular biology, developmental biology and physiology, and ecology and evolutionary biology.
- One course
with a lab.
- Three elective
courses.
This degree requires the same student effort as the BS degree but differs in approach, with less specialization and more flexibility. It is suitable for future science teachers and for graduate and professional study in biology and medicine.
For either the BS or the BA degree, you will likely take the same biology-related courses in your first year (along with general education courses). Because biological sciences study requires a solid foundation in chemistry, Principles of Chemistry I is a prerequisite for Principles of Biology I.
First Semester
Chemistry 4
s.h.
Calculus (or math leading to calculus) 4 s.h.
Second Semester
Chemistry 4
s.h.
Principles of Biology I 3-4
s.h.
Calculus or elective 4
s.h.
Biology Minor
The minor requires 15 s.h. of credit in biological sciences. Of those, 12 s.h. must come from upper-level biological sciences courses taken from the biology department.
Faculty
Biological sciences faculty members have been actively involved in advancing knowledge in the field. They participate in a wide variety of research disciplines, including molecular genetics, cell and developmental biology, neurobiology, plant sciences, and evolution.
Advanced students may participate in faculty projects or do individual research. Faculty members strongly encourage undergraduate research and publishing for professional careers.
Additional
Opportunities
If you’re interested in field biology, you have the Macbride Nature Recreation Area nearby and the opportunity to take summer courses at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory at Lake Okoboji. The Pomerantz Career Center also offers internship listings to biology undergraduates.
Students may get involved in a very active undergraduate biology student organization, called BUGS. See the Department of Biology web site for more details.
Honors
To receive a biology degree with honors, you must be a member of the University of Iowa Honors Program (having a cumulative grade-point average [GPA] of 3.33 or higher), and earn at least a 3.33 GPA in all bioscience courses. You must also complete 2 s.h. in either Honors Seminar in Biology or an advanced-level biology seminar course, and 6 s.h. of the Investigations course. In addition, you’ll write a brief research proposal and an honors thesis and present your findings to the department.
Careers
Career opportunities in the biological sciences have expanded dramatically in the past decade. Biological sciences are at the heart of some of today’s biggest opportunities and challenges, from development of products related to human health, to understanding the relationship among the many species inhabiting the Earth, to management of the environment.
The recent explosion of interest in biotechnology, including genome sequencing, stem-cell research, recombinant DNA studies, and nuclear cloning, offers opportunities unheard of even 10 years ago.
Biological sciences also prepares students for any of the health-related professions, from physical therapy to medicine and dentistry.
Scholarships
The biology department awards numerous scholarships to its students. Some are open to first-year students. Others, available to upper-level students, include the George S. Schaeffer Scholarship, which offers $2,000 to currently enrolled, full-time undergraduate science majors from an Iowa farming community who have a strong academic record in their field of study.
Refer to the Office of Student Financial Aid for
a complete list of available scholarships.
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