Department Of Biology

Our biology program is designed to provide a broad foundation that studies everything ranging from the molecules of life to individual organisms to ecosystems. The interdisciplinary nature of our program applies concepts from chemistry, mathematics, physics, and psychology. We have multiple areas of emphasis to tailor a biology degree to your interests and career goals.

Students with a degree in biology often go on to careers in:

Highlights of our program:

The biology department also offers a minor. Students declaring a minor in biology will learn the basic concepts of biology, including cellular processes, evolution and organism diversity, and interactions between organisms and their environment. These concepts are introduced in the required Foundations of Biology survey courses (BIOL 121 and 122). After completing these foundational courses, students will then select 12 additional credit hours of biology coursework based on their interests and/or career goals.

If you have any questions or would like more information about our program, please feel free to contact any of our faculty.

Affiliated Program Links

Accelerated Degree Options

Research Opportunities

Department of Biology Scholarships

Pre-Health Advisory Committee

Prospective Students

Program Learning Goals

The program goals of the Department of Biology are aligned with the Concord University Mission and University Goals and Learning Outcomes.

The Department of Biology program goals are designed to allow our students to:

(1) Obtain broad content knowledge in biology

a. Understand the flow, exchange, and storage of biological information
b. Be able to compare and contrast features of living organisms, and demonstrate a knowledge of form and function across taxa
c. Understand interactions between organisms and their environments in space and time, and their consequences for ecology and evolution
d. Apply concepts of other STEM fields to the biological sciences

(2) Acquire the ability to interpret, conduct, and communicate scientific research

a. Demonstrate an ability to search and understand the primary literature
b. Investigate scientific questions with appropriate experimental design
c. Demonstrate a mastery of laboratory and field techniques
d. Demonstrate an ability to collect, analyze, and interpret scientific data

(3) Acquire the ability to communicate scientific information effectively, orally and in writing

(4) Develop the ability to live and work in a diverse world

a. Students will prepare themselves to enter a health professional school, graduate school, or job in a STEM field after graduation
b. Demonstrate an understanding of applicable ethical and professional standards
c. Demonstrate commitment to community service and public health and well-being
d. Consistent with the liberal arts philosophy, show an understanding of the interrelationship between science and society

Planned Course Offerings

Every Fall
BIOL 201: Ecology and Field Methods
BIOL 249: Medical Terminology
BIOL 301: Plants as Organisms
BIOL 335: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 350: Biology Shadowing/Internship I
BIOL 351: Biology Shadowing/Internship II
BIOL 401: Genetics

Every Spring
BIOL 202: Animals as Organisms
BIOL 230: Sophomore Biology Seminar
BIOL 302: Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL 329: Microbiology
BIOL 336: Human Anatomy and Physiology II

Every Semester
BIOL 101: Biology: Theme
BIOL 121: Foundations of Biology I
BIOL 122: Foundations of Biology II
BIOL 130: Freshmen Biology Seminar
BIOL 455: Biology Capstone

Donate To The Biology Labs Renovation Project

As a biology student at CU, you inevitably had to take many biology courses with a lab component. These hands-on learning experiences helped you: deepen your understanding of and apply concepts learned in class; develop experimental, critical thinking, and data analysis skills; practice collaborative problem solving; and learn to use scientific equipment.

Labs are still an important aspect of our biology program. One enhancement the biology program is planning is to renovate several of our classroom laboratories. Many of these spaces have not been updated in the last 40 years and need complete overhauls.

To revitalize our aging facilities and create areas that our students and faculty can be proud of, we are requesting your help. If you are interested in donating to the Biology Labs Renovation Project, please visit the Concord University Foundation donation website.

Join Our Alumni Network

One improvement the biology program is currently planning is creation of a formal alumni network that will help current students advance in their career paths. CU Biology graduates could serve as a resource for our current students, providing a wealth of information regarding different career paths and opportunities.

Please complete the Biology Alumni Information Survey if you would be interested in serving as a career mentor, giving an in-person or virtual career presentation, allowing a student to job shadow, establishing an internship, or have ideas of other career opportunities for our current students.