Department of Biological Sciences

375 DODGE HALL (248) 370-3550
Fax: (248) 370-4225

Chairperson: Arik Dvir

Professors emeriti: Francis M. Butterworth, John D. Cowlishaw, William C. Forbes, Esther M. Goudsmit, Egbert, W. Henry, R. Douglas Hunter, Asish C. Nag, Nalin J. Unakar

Professors: G. Rasul Chaudhry, George J. Gamboa, Sheldon R. Gordon, Charles B. Lindemann, Virinder K. oudgil, John R. Reddan

Associate professors: Keith A. Berven, Arik Dvir, Thaddeus A. Grudzien, Feona M. Hansen, Anne L. Hitt, Shailesh K. Lal, Barkur S. Shastry, Satish K. Walia, Douglas L. Wendell

Assistant professors: Amy Banes-Berceli, Chhabi Govind, Lan Jiang, Zijuan Liu, Susmit Suvas, Scott D. Tiegs

Adjunct professors: Jeffrey L. Garvin, Tom Madhavan, Ronny Otero, Barry S. Winkler

Adjunct associate professors: Andrew F. X. Goldberg, Nalini Motwani, Miguelangelo J. Perez-Cruet

Adjunct assistant professors: Daniel A. Degner, Sumit Dinda, Ning Zhang

Special instructor: Mary Ann Bednarski

Special lecturers: Thomas G. Fishwild, Sarah Hosch, Mark A. Sturtevant, Mary Tracy-Bee

Lecturers: Philip T. Clampitt, Gerard R. Jozwiak, Jenn-Tser Pan, Tracy L. Wacker, Jonathan F. Yates

Chief adviser: Anne L. Hitt

The Department of Biological Sciences offers programs of study leading to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Master of Arts degrees in biology, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the biomedical sciences with a specialization in biological communication. The undergraduate programs prepare students for graduate study in the life sciences; laboratory work and research in industries concerned with biological materials; professional careers in medicine, dentistry, optometry or veterinary medicine; nursing or other allied health areas; or teaching science in high school. This liberal arts program in biology is particularly suited to the needs of pre-medical students. For information on graduate study within the department, see the Oakland University Graduate Catalog.

The department offers a diversified selection of courses and research programs in biochemistry, botany, cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, microbiology, morphology, physiology, immunology and zoology. Students select courses that suit their goals and interests. With permission, they may elect to participate in the research laboratories of individual faculty members for which they may receive course credit (BIO 490 ). In the past, many such students have appeared as co-authors on scientific publications as a result of the work in which they participated. Such opportunities are of particular value to students preparing for graduate study or research positions. High school students intending to major in biological sciences should refer to the Admissions section of the catalog for specific preparation requirements.

Admission to major standing

To be eligible for a degree in biology, students must be admitted to major standing by the Department of Biological Sciences at least three semesters before graduation. This procedure ensures that an appropriate program of study is completed by graduation. Students may be admitted to major standing after filing a satisfactory curriculum plan and completion of one year of introductory biology plus two other BIO courses, one year of general chemistry and mathematics through MTH 141 .

Requirements for departmental honors in biology

Departmental honors may be granted to students who have been nominated by a faculty member on the basis of high academic achievement and excellence in either independent research or teaching assistance.

The specific requirements are:

3.20 grade point average (GPA) minimum overall and 3.50 GPA minimum in BIO courses,
at least one 400-level BIO lecture course (BIO 405 , BIO 490 , BIO 495 and BIO 497 do not qualify),
excellence in one of the following two service roles:
1. assisting in teaching a laboratory course(s) either for pay or credit
2. performing independent laboratory study or serving as a laboratory research assistant.