Department of Biological Sciences

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

Department Website: oakland.edu/biology/

Chairperson: Arik Dvir

Professors emeriti: Francis M. Butterworth, John D. Cowlishaw, William C. Forbes, George J. Gamboa, Esther M. Goudsmit, R. Douglas Hunter, Ashish C. Nag, John R. Reddan, Nalin J. Unakar

Professors: G. Rasul Chaudhry, Sheldon R. Gordon, Charles B. Lindemann, Virinder K. Moudgil

Associate professors: Keith A. Berven, Arik Dvir, 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, Gerard Madlambayan, Susmit Suvas, Scott D. Tiegs, Li Zuo

Adjunct professors: Ronny Otero, Barry S. Winkler

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

Adjunct assistant professors: Sumit Dinda, Ashok Kumar, Mark A. Sturtevant

Special instructor: Mary Ann Bednarski, Mary E. Craig

Special lecturers: Thomas G. Fishwild, Holly Greiner-Hallman, Sarah Hosch, Christopher Kauhn, Ann Sturtevant, Mary Tracy-Bee, Jonathan F. Yates

Lecturers: Philip T. Clampitt, Gerard R. Jozwiak, Gary Miller, Jenn-Tser Pan, Tracy L. Wacker Chief adviser: Anne L. Hitt

The Department of Biological Sciences offers programs of study leading to Bachelor of Arts in biology, Bachelor of Science, in biology, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, and engineering biology, as well as 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.

Biochemistry Program

In cooperation with the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Biological Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in biochemistry.

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.

Concentration in pre-medical studies: medicine, dentistry, optometry and veterinary medicine

Pre-medical Studies: Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry and Veterinary Medicine Concentration

Program & Cores

Biology, B.A.

Biology, B.S.

Biomedical Sciences, B.S.

Engineering Biology, B.S.

Biological Sciences, STEP

Biology Minor

Biology Secondary Teaching Minor

Course Descriptions

The department offers selected courses from this catalog as warranted by student needs and availability of faculty: Department of Biological Sciences .

Schedule of Classes

Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes: sail.oakland.edu.