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Biology Department

Dept Photo

All five of Briar Cliff's biology faculty members hold a Ph.D., and teach courses in their area of expertise, whether they be in the health or environmental sciences.

Some of our biology graduates continue their education at the graduate or professional level in fields such as genetics, forensic science, and physiology; or health-related fields like medicine, dentistry, physical and occupational therapy, and physician assistant programs.

Other biology graduates choose to begin their careers immediately following graduation in everything from quality control and research development to conservation and park management. Still others begin fulfilling careers in teaching.

Internships

Briar Cliff students have participated in environmentally-related internships through the Iowa Nature Conservancy, as well as at Ponca State Park, Stone State Park and the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center.

Research

Briar Cliff faculty have been awarded grants to conduct environmentally-related research in which interested students may also participate. Dr. Hazlett has conduced field research at both Adams Homestead and Natural Area in South Dakota and in Stone State Park, a few miles northwest of campus. Students have also played a key role in preparing botanical specimens for the Briar Cliff herbarium.

Field Trips

After graduation in May, Briar Cliff offers an annual, week-long trip to South Dakota's Black Hills. During Spring Break, the biology department sponsors a weeklong trip to alternating sites, which have included Big Bend National Park in west Texas and the southern California deserts and chaparral.  The department has also sponsored weekend trips to the Kansas prairies and Ozarks forests, and summer trips to Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest.  With the inclusion of a January term in the academic calendar, Briar Cliff students have been involved with trips to Galapagos and Costa Rica.

 

Prairie Studies

CENTER FOR PRAIRIE STUDIES

Briar Cliff has a protected prairie sitting in its own backyard.

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Degrees Offered

Biology Major

The biology program will instill in students comprehension of the scientific method and the application of this method to investigations in biology. Upon graduation, students majoring in biology will be able to think critically and solve problems, effectively communicate using scientific language, demonstrate a respect for life and the environment, identify and discuss key biological principles, apply a basic understanding of chemistry to biological processes, demonstrate skill in observation, demonstrate safe and effective lab technique, and find employment in a science-related field or enter graduate/professional school.

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Biology — Teaching Endorsement

The biology teaching endorsement will instill in students comprehension of the scientific method and the application for teaching this method of investigations in biology. Upon graduation, students receiving a biology teaching will be able to think critically, solve problems, effectively communicate using scientific language, demonstrate a respect for life and the environment, identify and discuss key biological principles, apply a basic understanding of chemistry to biological processes, demonstrate skill in observation, demonstrate safe and effective lab technique, and find employment teaching biology and related courses in the classroom.

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Biology Minor

The minor in biology is designed to develop students’ comprehension of the scientific method and the application of this method to investigations in biology. This minor will provide valuable skills in a variety of fields including agriculture, medicine, nutrition, health care, physical therapy and teaching.

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Environmental Science Major

The Briar Cliff Franciscan heritage includes an emphasis on a respect for and stewardship of the natural world. The environmental science program is geared toward students who desire to solve problems such as pollution, habitat destruction and the loss of biological diversity. Although this major emphasizes either chemistry or biology, students will also familiarize themselves with socially relevant disciplines such as economics, political science, geography, and philosophy. The program also features practical application of classroom activities through internships and field trips to destinations such as the Black Hills of South Dakota, Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest.

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Environmental Science Minor

The minor in environmental science is designed to develop a student’s respect for and stewardship of the natural world. The program will help prepare students for future careers in education, environmental advocacy, public health, emergency services and law enforcement, among hundreds of other fields.

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Courses

BIOL 102 - Human Biology
BIOL 102L - Human Biology Laboratory
BIOL 106 - Biology of Women
BIOL 151 - General Biology I
BIOL 152 - General Biology II
BIOL 175 - Independent Biology Study
BIOL 212 - General Botany
BIOL 213 - Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 221 - Human Anatomy
BIOL 222 - Human Physiology
BIOL 22IS - Scientific Writing and Research
BIOL 237 - General Ecology
BIOL 239 - Intro to Microbiology
BIOL 240 - Nutrition
BIOL 275 - Independent Biology Study II
BIOL 280 - Extended Field Trip
BIOL 300 - Entomology
BIOL 320 - Comparative Vertebrate Zoology
BIOL 339 - Principles of Microbiology
BIOL 340 - Pathophysiology
BIOL 357 - Genetics
BIOL 375 - Independent Biology Study III
BIOL 400 - Immunology
BIOL 412 - Field Botany
BIOL 420 - Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL 420L - Cellular and Molecular Biology Lab
BIOL 440 - Special Methods of Teaching Secondary School Biology
BIOL 475 - Independent Biology Study IV
BIOL 550 - Advanced Human Pathophysiology
BIOL 58IS - Senior Seminar
BiOL 623 - Advanced Pathophysiology
ESCI 110 - Environmental Science
ESCI 175 - Independent Environmental Science Study
ESCI 211 - Earth Science I: Introductory Geology
ESCI 212 - Earth Science II: Earth Processes
ESCI 213 - Earth Science III: Weather and Climate
ESCI 237 - General Ecology
ESCI 275 - Independent Environmental Science Study II
ESCI 280 - Extended Field Trip
ESCI 300 - Entomology
ESCI 339 - Principles of Microbiology
ESCI 375 - Independent Environmental Science Study III
ESCI 401 - Environmental Law and Policy
ESCI 412 - Field Botany

Faculty

Jason Adams
Assistant Professor of Biology
712-279-1650
Candice Coffin
Professor of Biology
712-279-5467
Kelly Eder
Assistant Professor of Biology
712-279-5210
Brian T. Hazlett
Professor of Biology; Chair, Biology Department; Director, Environmental Science Program; Director, Center for Prairie Studies
712-279-5495
Ted Wilson
Associate Professor of Biology; Chair, Division of Natural & Mathematical Sciences
712-279-5498

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