Biology Major

Biology – General Biology Concentration mission: The General Biology concentration encompasses an overall knowledge of biological concepts with an emphasis on preparation for graduate studies and gaining a broad biological knowledge base. Students should leave with knowledge of biology, ecology, and chemistry, combined with critical thinking and writing skills, to assist them in any further education they might choose.

Biology - Conservation Concentration mission:  The Biology conservation concentration encompasses an overall comprehension of biological concepts with an added emphasis on ecology and conservation.  Students should leave Missouri Valley College with a broad knowledge of biology, ecology, and chemistry. In addition, graduates will gain competence in a variety of field and laboratory techniques, and will be able to use information gathered from concentration courses and current literature to make informed wildlife management decisions.  Upon graduation, students should be prepared to enter graduate school or professional service.

Biology – Pre-Medical / Pre-Veterinary Concentration mission: The Biology Pre-Medical / Pre-Veterinary concentration encompasses an overall knowledge of biological concepts with an added emphasis in organismal health. Students should leave with a broad knowledge of biology, ecology, and chemistry, combined with critical thinking skills, to be applied to whichever organismal health field they choose. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate scientific reasoning skills through experimentation, collecting and interpreting data, and analyzing scientific literature.
• Students will describe the molecular biology and biochemistry of metabolic processes and relate them to the organization and function of tissues.
• Students will compare and contrast the morphology and phylogeny of plants and animals, and summarize their characteristics to identify their taxonomy.
• Students will explain and evaluate interactions between organisms and their environment and be able to predict the outcomes of these interactions.
• Students will investigate the history, significance and mechanisms of evolutionary processes to describe the diversity of life.

Biology students wishing to attend graduate school should check requirements of the schools they are applying to, in order to meet any other requirements.

Major assessment:  

All Biology majors must complete the Major Field Test in Biology prior to graduation.