School of Biological & Environmental Studies

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Dr. Jen Schroeder, Director

Biology & Environmental Studies Faculty

Full-Time: Erika Bilger, Samuel Galewsky, David Horn, Alicia Knudson, JuYeon Lee, Roslyn O’Conner, Marianne Robertson, Jennifer Schroeder, Jenna Smith, Travis Wilcoxen

Biology

Contemporary biology is one of the fastest growing areas of science; it is at the same time tremendously exciting, relevant and challenging. Biologists using innovative ideas and revolutionary technologies are confronting many of the world’s most pressing problems.

Millikin’s Biology program provides students with broad training in modern biology, which they can use to pursue careers in any area of the life sciences. Our Pre-Professional program prepares students for medical, dental, optometry, chiropractic, veterinary, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medical technology graduate programs. Biology also has programs that prepare students for graduate school to obtain advanced degrees for careers in research and/or teaching. The Secondary Education program prepares students for teaching at the high school level.

Graduates from the Biology Department should:

1. Understand and be able to apply the concepts of evolution and natural selection.
2. Have exposure to the following general areas of biology: ecology, cell/molecular biology, and systems biology.
3. Be able to use and apply critical thinking to life situations.
4. Be able to present in oral and written form a completed research project, using testable hypotheses, logical arguments and appropriate methodologies and equipment.

Millikin Biology Majors all take a 3-semester core, followed by selections of upper-level electives in three content areas: Ecology, Cell/Molecular Biology, and Systems Biology. Additional coursework from other areas, such as Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, is also required to prepare students for careers in biological and health care fields. The three-semester core consists of BI 105 - Ecology and Evolution /BI 155 - Ecology and Evolution Lab  (4 credits), BI 205 - Cell Biology  (4 credits), and BI 200 - Genetics  (4 credits).

Our upper-level electives currently include, but are not limited to:

*Must take both BI 206  and BI 207  to count as one content category course, except Secondary Education majors

Pre-Professional Program:

Although professional schools vary in their philosophies and requirements for admission, they all emphasize the importance of a diverse education. In addition to a strong foundation in science and mathematics, Pre-Professional students should develop strong communication skills and a solid background in social sciences, arts, and humanities. It should be emphasized that quality and breadth of the undergraduate experience are more important to future success than narrow specialization in science.

Students in the Pre-Professional Program are encouraged to gain research experience by collaborating with biology faculty on a research project. Refer to the section on undergraduate research in a later section of this Bulletin. The Pre-Health 1 track provides excellent preparation for medical school curricula. The Pre-Health 1 concentration is designed for those planning to pursue professional school in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Optometry, Physician Assistant programs. The Pre-Health 2 Concentration is designed for those planning apply to Physical or Occupational Therapy or Chiropractic Medicine programs. For specific course requirements, students should consult the appropriate advising sheet and talk to the Pre-Professional advisor.

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research in which students and faculty collaborate on a research project is one of the cornerstones of the Millikin experience in biology. As such, biology majors are encouraged to participate in a research experience before they graduate. After identifying a faculty member to work with and a specific project to work on, students register for research credit (BI 391 , BI 392 ). Up to six research credits can be applied to the 36-48 credits needed for a biology major.

Millikin Biology majors can may also obtain research experience by way of any one of the following programs:

Leighty Science Scholars

Leighty Scholars are typically selected from freshman students who interview for the Millikin University Honors Program in the spring. To qualify as a Leighty Scholar, students should have the following qualifications:

• Major in one of the sciences (biology, chemistry, or physics)
• Scored 27 or higher on the ACT or 1200 or higher on the SAT
• Have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.5/4.0 or higher
• Rank near the upper 10% of his/her high-school graduating class

Whether or not they participate in the Honors interviews, prospective Leighty Scholars must complete a Leighty Scholars application form (obtained from Admissions or off the Internet) and return it to the Admissions office, students selected as Leighty Scholars will receive an annual $2,500 scholarship (separate and in addition to other financial aid) as long as they remain science majors and maintain a 3.5 GPA at Millikin. In addition, Leighty Scholars will do research during the summer after their sophomore year in collaboration with a Millikin science faculty. Each Leighty Scholar will receive a $3,000 summer stipend for doing research. Contact Millikin University Admissions or the Leighty web site for details of this program.

Billings Summer Undergraduate Field Biology Fellowship

Students interested in doing summer research at Millikin in field biology first develop a research proposal in collaboration with a member of the Biology faculty. Students then submit a written proposal to be reviewed by members of the Biology Department. Students with successful proposals receive a $3,000 stipend for their summer’s research and $400 for research supplies.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURF)

Students interested in doing summer research at Millikin first develop a research proposal in collaboration with a member of the Biology faculty. Students then submit a written proposal to be reviewed by members of the SURF committee. Students with successful proposals receive a $3,000 stipend for their summer’s research. The SURF Program offers an additional funding source for research with faculty.

Off-Campus Research

Biology majors are encouraged to apply to summer research programs at graduate universities, medical schools, and other research centers. Students are advised to register for Millikin credit when they do off-campus research as a way of fulfilling the off-campus learning requirement of the MPSL.

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