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Biology

From molecular biology to ecology, genetics to paleontology, the Biology Department at Augustana has something for everyone. Whether you are interested in the health professions, animals, research or teaching, a biology major at Augustana can help you get to the career you want.

Biology faculty in the Science Building greenhouse: top row, from left, Stephanie Fuhr, Allison Beck; second row, Karthik Ramaswamy, Heather Mattern, Bob Tallitsch, Nathan Lading, Kevin Geedey and Dara Wegman-Geedey; third row, Bohdan Dziadyk, Joseph Leman, Lori Scott, Kristin Douglas and Jason Koontz; front, Steve Hager and Darrin Good. (Not pictured: Tim Muir, Jason Singer)

More importantly, the faculty in the department are dedicated to getting you there. Ask any member of the Biology Department faculty, "Why are you here?" and the answer will be the same. We all love to teach, and more than that, have a genuine passion for helping students learn.

About the program

  • One of Augustana's largest departments, biology offers a biology major and minor, a biology teaching major and a major in pre-medicine, as well as coordinated degree programs and affiliation agreements with graduate programs in the professional health sciences.
  • Biology majors often pursue careers in ecological or environmental organizations, genetics, public health and health care fields, immunology, industry, research or teaching.
  • Biology is the primary major for Augustana students in the pre-professional health fields: medicine, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, optometry and dentistry. Students can begin the general biology major and choose a specific pre-health program later in their college career.
  • The 13 department faculty all hold a Ph.D. and specialize in different areas of biology. All faculty teach both the lecture and lab portions of their classes, ensuring continuity and connection between theory and practice. Working closely with faculty mentors, students focus on practical applications of biology within the broader context of study in the liberal arts.
  • Augustana's international study terms often include biology coursework. Recent examples are a course on ethnozoology in Latin America and another on conservation and behavior in Ghana.
  • Augustana ranks among the top 60 U.S. small liberal arts colleges in the sciences, based on the number of graduates earning Ph.D.s.

What students say

Blaine Westemeyer '10, pre-medicine, biochemistry:
"My ten weeks of research in the biology department gave me valuable practice on how to approach problems scientifically, how to think critically and how to persevere when things do not go as planned. I believe that my summer research experience at Augustana greatly prepared me for another research opportunity [offcampus] last summer, and it has also prepared me well for the rigors of medical or graduate school."

Max Petersen '10, pre-medicine, biochemistry, religion:
'"Over the course of my four years at Augustana, I've had the pleasure of working in the research labs of three scientists -- two at Augustana and one at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center through a fantastic summer program Augustana has with that institution. Opportunities abound for Augustana students interested in getting involved in research, especially in the sciences -- many faculty have extramural funding, and Augustana has an internal summer research grant program to assist those that don't.

"Augustana has exceeded my expectations in providing research opportunities, and my faculty mentors have been invaluable assets in facilitating my growth as a scientist. Faculty members come to liberal arts colleges like Augustana in large part because they have a passion for teaching and mentoring undergraduates, and I'm grateful to have experienced that passion in the form of unforgettable mentors."