Department of Biology, Environmental Science, and Psychology

The Department of Biology, Environmental Science offers courses that connect students with the nature of the living world and the environmental setting in an evolutionary context.

Courses and research experiences are designed to enrich the liberal arts curriculum, engage students in critical thinking, and offer a firm foundation in molecular, structural/functional, and organismic biology and ecology. The biology and environmental science curriculum meets the needs of students desiring to enter health-related professions, become environmental scientists, attend graduate school in biology or environmental science, or become secondary school teachers.

The course catalog describes the major and minor in biology and environmental science. A student may not major in both biology and environmental science, and biochemistry majors may not major or minor in Biology. The department chairperson must approve any substitution for the required courses listed in the course catalog.

*Students interested in pre-dental, pre-medical, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-physician assistant, pre-veterinary medicine, or another allied health profession should contact the department chairperson for specific details.

The Department of Psychology teaches students the major concepts, theories, and findings that characterize mental processes and behavior.

Students will learn how to practice the science of psychology by designing, conducting, and interpreting empirical research. The psychology major will provide students with the quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and communication skills needed to become informed citizens.

In addition, students will learn the ethical principles that guide the professional conduct of psychologists. The psychology major is designed with four purposes in mind:

• preparation for graduate study and a career in psychology;
• preparation for vocations where an extensive background in psychology is necessary, such as general counseling and some careers in human services;
• general preparation for related vocations, such as business, education, law, advertising, or nursing; and
• a broadening educational experience that will contribute to the understanding of self and others.