ÁùºÏ±¦µä the Department of Biology
Founded at the turn of the 20th century under the leadership of Peter Frandsen, an 1895 graduate of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, the Department of Biology boasts a rich history. Frandsen returned to ÁùºÏ±¦µä in 1900 after leaving his teaching position at Harvard University, laying the foundation for what would become a pioneering department in the life sciences. The modern Department of Biology began to take shape in the early 1960s with the opening of the life sciences wing of the Fleischmann Agriculture building, which remains its primary home today. Notable figures from the department include F. Donald Tibbitts, the namesake of the University’s most prestigious teaching award. By 1973, the Department had grown to 14 faculty members.
As part of a land-grant university, the Department of Biology with now over 50 faculty members serves as a dynamic center for integrative research in the life sciences. Our work spans from fundamental molecular, cellular, and genetic processes to the emergent properties of organismal, ecological and evolutionary systems. We are at the forefront of our disciplines, generating new knowledge to tackle global challenges. Our world-class faculty offer a comprehensive curriculum, maintain an international reputation for high-quality research, and engage in extensive outreach on regional, national and global levels. The department is a leader in external grant funding within the university, educating thousands of students each semester.
Our academic programs, supported by award-winning faculty, prepare students for careers in biology and related fields, encouraging undergraduates to engage in original research and pursue advanced degrees. The department offers a Master’s degree program in biology, with both thesis and non-thesis options and participates in several large interdisciplinary graduate programs, including ecology, evolution and conservation biology, molecular biosciences, and integrative neuroscience.
Our research faculty serve as instructors, project managers and principal investigators, contributing to scholarly activities and mentoring students. Their success is rooted in developing individual research programs and fostering creativity and collaboration. They deliver inspiring classroom instruction, enhance research and academic endeavors and secure funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Our teaching faculty deliver high-quality instruction, ensuring our undergraduate programs remain current and relevant. They explore and implement innovative teaching methods, engage in professional development and often participate in community outreach through notable service-learning courses. Our teaching faculty also contribute to research, advancing knowledge in their respective fields.
Mission, vision and goals
Our mission is to serve global, national, state, and university communities by enhancing the understanding of living organisms and their interactions with the environment through impactful research. We aim to provide an exceptional and up-to-date undergraduate curriculum in basic biology, emphasizing experiential learning and problem-solving skills. Additionally, we are committed to training graduate students through our departmental Master’s degree program and nationally competitive interdisciplinary doctoral degree programs, equipping them with the expertise needed to excel in their careers. We seek to achieve national and international recognition in multiple research areas, fostering innovative research and collaboration to make significant contributions to the advancement of biological sciences.
Our vision is to be a leading center for innovative research and education in the biological sciences, recognized nationally and internationally for our contributions to understanding living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
Our goals are to:
- provide an outstanding and current undergraduate curriculum in basic biology;
- train graduate students through both a departmental Master’s degree program and nationally competitive interdepartmental doctoral degree programs;
- develop national and international visibility in two or more research areas;
- provide service to the University, the community and the academic disciplines in the biological sciences.