The Department of Biology prepares students for careers in biology. Our curriculum offers a broad education in all areas of biology including microbiology, genetics, cell biology, evolution, ecology and plant and animal organismal biology. Our alumni are highly competitive in pursing careers in the health professions, governmental and state agencies, biotechnology, academia or any other career they want.
We have several options within the major: professional, environmental, cellular and molecular, and general biology as well as a major in marine biology for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. If you are a student majoring in another discipline, you can choose one of our three minors: general biology, cellular and molecular biology and marine science. We have courses and programs applicable to all pre-health professions curricula, and coursework applicable to the general education component of all degree programs. Students who want to teach high school biology take their biology courses in our department. We also have a prominent role at the Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory, where our marine biology majors take marine-focused courses over the summer months.
Our Faculty
We have 14 full-time
faculty members who teach all introductory majors and upper-level undergraduate biology courses and a number of adjunct faculty who teach some of our freshman-level non-majors classes. All of our classes and laboratories are taught by faculty members. Each faculty member has their own research laboratory for conducting research. Our faculty enjoy mentoring students in research activities, so if you are interested in how research is done, just ask one of our faculty.
Biology Honor Societies
We have two honor societies in the department:
Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta), the biological honor society, and
Alpha Epsilon Delta, the pre-health professions honor society.
Biology Advising
Our faculty are dedicated to advising students as they build their curriculum and explore career paths. For new or transfer students, contact our Chair, Dr. Amy Crews (aecrews@una.edu), to schedule an advising session. For current Biology Majors, please look up your advisor in Portal and contact them to set up an advising session.
One of our faculty members serves as the Pre-Health Professions Advisor for students interested in pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, optometry, physician assistant, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and veterinary medicine. Visit that
webpage for more information.
For more specific information about the degrees offered by our department, please contact us via email at
biology@una.edu.