Biological Sciences

Department of Biological Sciences
College of Science

Science Building 330 ~ 260-481-6040

Mark Jordan, Chair and Lead Advisor
Jordan Marshall, Associate Chair and Graduate Program Director
Bruce Kingsbury, Director Environmental Resource Center
Frank Paladino, Director Center for Marine Biology & Conservation
Marcy Ball, Academic Advisor
Karen Morthorst, Administrative Assistant - Graduate Programs
Melissa Swackhamer, Administrative Assistant - Undergraduate Programs

Biology is one of the most interdisciplinary of all the sciences and its study prepares students for a range of careers in health and medicine, the environmental field, agriculture, research, and education. The Department of Biological Sciences helps students pursue their educational goals by delivering a modern curriculum rooted in scientific inquiry. Faculty with expertise in many specialties of the discipline teach and actively conduct research with students. Students have the opportunity to pursue areas of concentration within the discipline or earn a Research Certificate in Biology. More than half of all graduates earning a bachelor’s of science degree in Biology from Purdue University Fort Wayne continue on to pursue graduate degrees or professional certifications.

For details on pursuing a secondary education second degree (BSEd) to teach Biology in middle school/high school, click on the links to the Secondary Education - Second Degree Program and the School of Education page in this catalog. Note: The BSEd as a second degree in these programs cannot be earned without completion of the bachelor’s degree in the content area from the College of Science.

See Program Descriptions in this catalog for more information on the Biology programs:

Bachelor of Science degree
Concentrations in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Genetics, Cellular, & Molecular Biology; Marine Biology; and Microbiology & Immunology
Second major in teaching secondary education Biology
Research Certificate in Biology
Minor

Pre-professional Study

Those seeking careers in dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, forestry and agriculture should consult with their pre-professional advisor before deciding what specific elective courses in biology to take. Detailed and early planning is necessary.

Special Assignments

Students who qualify may elect to do an independent project supervised by a faculty member. With the permission of the faculty member and the department chair, the student can enroll in BIOL 19500, BIOL 29500 or BIOL 59500. The student must work closely with the faculty member to design and complete the project. Each faculty member will define how the grade will be earned each semester, but typically students write papers or give a presentation over their research project. Credits earned in these courses cannot be used to satisfy A/B and concentration elective requirements, and a maximum of 6 such credits can be used toward graduation as general elective credits.

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program

The co-op program is designed to provide employment experience in an area of your academic interest while you are still enrolled in school. A co-op experience may be repeated. You may earn up to 2 elective credits toward your degree.

Special Regulation for Biology Majors