Degree Overview

Biology majors select one of six options within the major:

• Botany
• Microbiology
• Zoology
• Medical Sciences (Pre-Health Professionals)
• Science/Biology—Teacher Education
• Environmental Biology

Training in Biology prepares one for a broad spectrum of job opportunities, including teaching, governmental or industrial laboratories, conservation agencies, or business. In addition, students become qualified to pursue graduate studies in any of several areas of study within the Biological Sciences and the health professions.

WIU's Department of Biological Sciences is committed to providing undergraduate students opportunities in research and field experience. Students in the teacher licensure program participate in a number of outreach activities throughout their program, including science fair judging, coordinating events for Science Olympiad, participating in Biology Day, and working as assistants in introductory biology labs. Our majors also enjoy the benefits of:

• Field trips to natural areas
• Access to the Alice L. Kibbe Life Science Station, a 1,689 acre natural area along the Mississippi River
• Internship course (BIOL 495) provides practical experience for career development
• Participation in laboratory experiments in both core and upper-level courses
• Involvement in departmental organizations including Tri-Beta, Pre-Professional Club, Zoology Club, BGSA, and Students for Sustainability
• Opportunities for study abroad programs

Honors

Academically qualified students in this department are encouraged to complete an honors curriculum in University Honors, Honors in the Major, or General Honors. The honors program encourages motivated students to do original biological research and is an exciting component of our department. If you are interested in the honors program, contact Dr. Richard Musser .

Contact

Contact the Department of Biological Sciences and meet our faculty.

Contact our undergraduate advisors.

View the specific degree requirements and course descriptions in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Botany

The Botany option in Biology provides a broad background of knowledge and experience in plant identification, plant physiology, plant anatomy, and the ecology of plants. Advanced coursework is available in field mycology (study of fungus), phycology (the study of algae), freshwater biology, limnology, diseases of trees and shrubs, and wetland and aquatic plants.

Careers

Botanists are needed for a variety of careers in plant genetics and physiology, with employment primarily in agricultural and pharmaceutical industries. There is also a demand for field botanists with expertise in plant populations, communities, and ecology. Careers are available with conservation organizations; local, state, and federal government agencies; and in the private sector as environmental consultants.

Microbiology

The Microbiology option in Biology provides a broad background of knowledge and experience in molecular biology; genetics; cell biology; and microbe classification, function, and ecology. Advanced coursework is available in mycology (study of fungus), phycology (the study of algae), bacteriology (study of bacteria), the biology of archea (microbes of extreme environments), virology (study of viruses), immunology, parasitology, pathogenic bacteria, and microbial fermentation.

Careers

Microbiologists are needed for a variety of careers such as in molecular and genetics laboratories, agricultural laboratories, forensics, health careers, and for food and pharmaceutical industries.

Zoology

The Zoology option in Biology provides a broad background of knowledge and experience in animal classification, physiology, anatomy, and ecology. Advanced coursework is available in ornithology (study of birds), entomology (study of insects), mammalogy (study of mammals), herpetology (study of reptiles and amphibians), ichthyology (study of fish), invertebrate zoology, marine mammalogy, parasitology (study of parasites), and freshwater biology.

Careers

Zoologists are needed for a variety of careers as field biologists with expertise in animal populations, communities, and ecology. Careers are available with conservation organizations; local, state, and federal government agencies; and in the private sector as environmental consultants.

Medical Sciences (Pre-Health Professionals)

The medical sciences program offered by the Department of Biological Sciences prepares students going into the following professional schools: Medical, Veterinary, Dentistry, Optometry, Physicians Assistant, and Physical and Occupational Therapy. The Medical Sciences program was designed specifically to meet the application requirements for most all of these schools. A 2.75 minimum GPA is required in this program as the standards are closer to that of the post-graduate institutions. The department provides advanced coursework in medical subjects and opportunities to complete research and internship hours in the major.

The Bachelor of Science in Biology, medical sciences option, with a minor in chemistry provides excellent preparation for students entering into the medical, veterinary, dentistry, optometry, and physicians assistant schools. It also prepares each student to take the required MCAT, DAT, OAT, and GRE entrance exams. This program includes rigorous coursework in physiology, anatomy, microbiology, cell biology, genetics, organic, inorganic and biochemistry, and general physics. The Bachelor of Science in Biology, medical sciences option, with a minor in psychology provides excellent preparation for both the Master of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy and occupational therapy schools. It also prepares students to take the required GRE entrance exam.

Careers

Graduates typically enroll at Medical Schools, Physical Therapy Schools, Dental Medical Schools, and Colleges of Optometry. After acceptance into one of these schools, Western’s graduates have gone on to complete their degrees and enter into successful practices and careers.

Science/Biology—Teacher Education

If you enjoy helping others learn and you find the study of life fascinating, then teaching science might be for you. Our society needs well-prepared biology teachers to ensure we have a scientifically literate populace. For many students, high school biology is the last course they take designed to help them understand the important role of science in general, and biology in particular in our technological world. For other students, biology courses are the first step toward careers in natural resources, biotechnology, medicine, etc. The job of the high school science teacher is critical to the development of our society.

Students combine a study of the biology, chemistry, physics, and the earth and space sciences with a study of teaching foundations and various field and clinical experiences as they complete this major. Successful completion of this program leads toward a Bachelor of Science in Biology, as well as an Illinois teaching license for grades 9-12 science. The culminating experience for this program is a 16-week student teaching experience. Students considering a major in biology should complete at least one year each of high school biology, chemistry, and physics (if available), as well as four years of English, two to three years of a foreign language, and three years of mathematics.

The unique opportunities for WIU students seeking teacher licensure in science include:

• Being part of a cohort as they seek teacher licensure in one or more of the sciences;
• Taking part in a number of integrated science and research-based courses taught in a manner consistent with the national standards for teacher preparation and for K-12 student learning;
• Gaining a broad-based understanding of concepts across all the sciences that often leads to more than one area of specialty on their license; and
• Engaging in a variety of professional development activities to learn as much about the teaching profession as possible prior to student teaching.

Careers

The most popular career option selected by students seeking this degree option is teaching at the high school level. In addition to careers in teaching at public and private schools, graduates are also sought as corporate trainers; education specialists in nontraditional settings, such as parks, museums, zoos (may require a zoo and aquaria certificate depending upon the site); tutors; and on-line teachers, as well as other positions needing an individual who possesses excellent people skills, ability to educate others, and a strong content background.

Environmental Biology

The Environmental Biology option in Biology provides a broad and diverse background of evolution, ecology, and biodiversity topics for students who plan to enter field-oriented conservation careers such as wildlife biologist, natural resource specialist, endangered species biologist, and biological science technician.

Careers

Environmental biologists are needed for a variety of careers such as field biologists with expertise in plant and animal populations, communities, and ecology. Careers are available with conservation organizations; local, state, and federal government agencies; and in the private sector as environmental consultants.