Department of Biological Science

Chair
Mark Buchheim

Professors
Akhtar Ali
Ron Bonett
Charles R. Brown
Mark Buchheim
Harrington Wells

Associate Professors
Warren Booth
Mohamed Fakhr

Assistant Professors
Matteo Avella
Alexandra Kingston
Matthew Toomey

Instructors
Marsha J. Howard
Ana Trujano

For more information about degree offerings from the faculty of biological science, visit the Department of Biological Science webpage.

The undergraduate mission of the Department of Biological Science is to provide a broad foundation in the biological principles that will permit students to successfully pursue a variety of career options including academic work in a diversity of graduate and professional programs.

The Department of Biological Science offers Bachelor of Science in Biological Science (B.S.B.S.) , Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) , Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The B.S.B.S. degree can be part of an accelerated master’s degree program. This is a five-year program that upon completion results in the awarding of B.S.B.S. and M.S. degrees in biological science. For additional information concerning M.S., Ph.D. or the accelerated master’s degrees see the Graduate Bulletin. Degree requirements are purposely flexible, providing the student with career choices in biotechnology, organismic biology, cellular biology, environmental biology, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or further graduate training. Coursework in the major, combined with studies in the University-wide Tulsa Curriculum, gives the student the background required to excel in writing and reasoning and to adjust to the complexity of modern society and its component technologies.

Biological science offers a personalized departmental advising system, ease of access to all professors, high quality student peers, student clubs, and research opportunities for undergraduate students to work in the laboratories of faculty members. Facilities include electron microscopes, equipment for studies in cellular and molecular biology, immunology, genetics, and field biology. Faculty research and expertise are diverse, spanning such areas as ecology and systematics, developmental biology, and molecular and cellular biology.

Program Objectives

Students who complete the Bachelor of Science in Biological Science (B.S.B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree program will demonstrate skills relevant to:

Display fundamental understanding of basic genetics and evolution,
Demonstrate basic knowledge of comparative organismic diversity,
Demonstrate an understanding of basic organismal adaptations to ecological environments, and
Analyze and evaluate scientific data and/or current literature

Health Sciences

Because of the variation and frequent changes in entrance requirements among professional schools, students interested in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, physical therapy, or other professional fields should obtain a preprofessional advisor within the Department of Biological Science as early in their college careers as possible.

Oxley College of Health Sciences Majors

Students majoring in nursing, exercise and sports science, and speech-language pathology should consult with their faculty advisor to determine which courses are required to complete the Block III requirement. Most students will complete the BIOL 2151 , BIOL 2153 , BIOL 2171 , and BIOL 2173 sequence, but there are additional options for students in some programs.

Supplementary Area of Concentration for Biology Majors

Biology majors are required to complete a Supplemental Area of Concentration (SAC). Those majors pursuing a pre-professional track (pre-medical, pre-dental, or pre-veterinary medicine) must have a SAC in physical sciences (including inorganic/organic chemistry and physics) since many biology elective courses presume an understanding of basic organic chemistry and most professional and graduate schools require 16 hours of chemistry, eight hours of physics, and mathematics through calculus. Biology majors not on a pre-professional track may have a SAC in any subject; however, the physical sciences SAC is recommended.

Minor Fields for Biology Majors

Biological science majors are not required to have a minor; however, they may elect to pursue one in any subject. Minors that are particularly compatible with a biological science major include neuroscience , bioinformatics and biomedical engineering .

Teacher Certification

Students seeking secondary teacher certification in biology should consult their academic advisors to determine subject area courses that are appropriate and the Oklahoma State Department of Education regarding alternative certification.

Programs

Major

Minor

Biology Minor

Courses

Biological Science

Common Questions

Colleges