Your biology degree from Capital will give you a well-rounded study of biology and the flexibility to pursue the career or graduate degree of your choice.
As a student in Capital's biological sciences program, you'll work with an academic advisor to design a major that best fits your personal goals and needs. You'll also be encouraged to participate in internships and independent studies designed to prepare you for either graduate school or a job after graduation.
What You'll Learn
Biology majors take a set of core courses designed to expose them to the major theories and disciplines of biology, including foundations of biology, genetics, microbiology, ecology and cell and molecular biology. All courses include hands-on laboratory components and discovery lab experimentation. Students then build upon this core knowledge by selecting an area of major concentration:
- biochemistry/molecular biology
- zoology/animal science
- ecology/environmental science
- integrated/general biology
The concentration is completed through advanced courses, as well as research and independent studies. Explore the program and course descriptions in our online course bulletin.
Both laboratory and field-based research opportunities exist for biology majors, ranging from animal reproduction to wildflower populations to synthesis of new drugs for human disease. In addition, all senior biology majors are required to demonstrate proficiency in library and Internet research methods, and must present research findings both in oral and poster formats.
High-Impact Practices: Learning beyond borders
We believe strongly that transformative learning also takes place beyond the traditional borders of the classroom, lab or even campus. In any environment, our faculty embraces high-impact practices, like undergraduate research, internships and capstone projects, to achieve the very best in teaching and learning.
Summer Research Experience
Capital Undergraduate student Katalin Dotts, pictured above onsite at the Primmer Outdoor Learning Center said that, "This research was one of the most beneficial opportunities I had at Capital University."
Central to the study of the biological sciences is the pursuit of research. While all Capital students are not required to do research, you'll be given the opportunity to pursue various research options and encouraged to take advantage of research opportunities. Capital faculty members are actively engaged in research in their fields of expertise and encourage undergraduate students to join the efforts. Many of these undergraduate research efforts lead to presentations at regional or national professional organizations in the sciences, and the publication of student research work. These experiences develop you as a student, present important networking opportunities and are support your admission to graduate programs in any field of biology.
A well-rounded student experience includes both domestic and international settings. Study reef biology in Cozumel, Mexico and Andros Island, Bahamas. Explore tropical ecology in Costa Rica and Ecuador and Galapagos. Research environmental issues in Cuba, or take a service-learning trip to Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.
The department actively provides students with opportunities for experiential learning through regularly offered short-term field courses. These trips allow students to study biology and environmental science topics, experience indigenous cultures, and become involved in service to the broader community. Typically two field courses are offered annually.
Where You'll Go: Careers and placement
Many graduates of Capital's biology program go on graduate school, pursuing either a master’s or doctoral degree. Preparation for these programs generally involves taking the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA. Recent graduates are pursuing advanced degrees in immunology, molecular genetics, forensics, wildlife biology, aquatic invertebrates, pharmacy, environmental law, cytogenetics and biochemistry. Others have entered the job market after graduation and are serving in areas such as food microbiology testing, parks and recreation management, teaching, public health and zoo animal handler. Biology majors also pursue options in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, environmental science and occupational therapy.
FACILITIES
Eight laboratories in the Battelle Hall of Science are used for biology teaching and research. In addition, several small lab facilities, an animal care facility and a two-story greenhouse are available to be used for faculty and student research. All labs are equipped with computers as well as equipment and models specific to the courses and projects that take place in that room. A state-of-the-art molecular biology laboratory allows students to grow living cells under controlled conditions, while the molecular biology lab has equipment to perform DNA fingerprint analysis. Two cadavers are used in the anatomy lab, and the botany lab opens directly into the second story of the greenhouse. Local resources such as the Metro Parks, Center of Science and Industry (COSI) and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are used in course work and undergraduate research.