Professor
Ph.D., Cornell University
Department of Biology and Geology
(440) 826-2262
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OVERVIEW
Imagine being the lead scientist among a group of peers as you study the intricacies of living systems. Or going into the field to work alongside a biology professor doing real-world research you'll later present at a national conference.
Biology is a career-versatile major focused on the study of life processes and living organisms (human, plant, animal and aquatic).
It is ideal preparation for medical and pre-professional programs, as well as teacher education and graduate school.
Small class sizes, individual attention and faculty mentoring are at the core of BW's biology program. You'll learn by doing. Starting freshman year, you'll have access to labs where you can gain valuable research experience.
Specialty laboratories include: anatomy, botany, ecology and field biology, physiology, invertebrate, molecular ecology, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience and development. Also available are labs dedicated to student-faculty research.
Convenient access to bench space and equipment provide you with intense, impressive research experience at the undergraduate level.
Independent research studies, field experiences and internships bridge both theoretical and practical applications. Opportunities to work on research projects can lead to presentations at scholarly conferences and publication.
Students and faculty frequently apply for grants to support ongoing research projects. Students gain grant writing experience while supporting their research projects.
Impressive Facility, Dynamic Learning
BW's modern biology laboratories are equipped with specialized instruments available to students. Research opportunities include pollination ecology, molecular control of animal development, human cadaver dissection, cultured neurons and population genetics. Among its amenities are an insect room, greenhouse, zebrafish aquaria, plant growth chambers, and outdoor native plant and rain gardens. BW also has fluorescent microscopes, thermocyclers, microinjectors and electrophoresis equipment to support a variety of research approaches.
Graduate-Level Research Opportunities
At BW, biology students can gain graduate school experiences at the undergraduate level. In the gross anatomy lab, students can examine a cadaver while their professor looks on. Midway into the lesson, they can view magnified images of an abdominal cavity being displayed on multiple large projection screens positioned within the room. Ceiling-mounted cameras capture every move. An overhead surgical light illuminates the subject, adding to the feeling of being in an operating room of a teaching hospital.
Hands-on opportunities like these give BW students an advantage because at many schools students perform cadaver dissection only at the post-graduate level.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
A bachelor's degree in biology can be a stepping stone to post-graduate education or can lead directly to a career, including:
- Aquatic biologist
- Pharmacist
- Physician
- Dentist
- Teacher
- Ecologist
- Veterinarian
- Forensic scientist
- Nurse
- Medical technologist
- Geneticist
- Wildlife biologist
- Naturalist
- Pharmaceutical sales
CURRICULUM
A comprehensive, rigorous program, biology is offered as a major and minor.
Through coursework, research, field studies and more, you'll gain a strong, broad- based foundation in the principles of biology.
The biology major prepares students to:
- Think critically and evaluate the merit of scientific information.
- Assemble information and communicate it effectively, both orally and in writing
- Understand the molecular composition, structure, and physiological processes of cells
- Understand the mechanism of inheritance and its role in maintaining organismal integrity and variability
- Use quantitative skills in the design, implementation, and interpretation of experiments
For aspiring physicians, BW offers the primary healthcare advancement program.
STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Experiential learning bridges classroom study with real-world opportunities. From the nearby Metroparks and Cleveland Zoo to opportunities outside of the United States, you can participate in extensive field experiences.
Student success is a top priority. As a BW student, you'll be encouraged to present at conferences, submit your research paper for publication and apply for coveted national summer research positions.
On campus, biology students are regularly recognized for their achievements. Recognitions include:
- The Ruegsegger Prize in Biology (in honor of James M. Ruegsegger '22, whose research on polio, pneumonia, diphtheria, meningitis and tetanus and service to country earned him recognition).
- John W. Miller Zoology prize (in honor of John W. Miller for service as a dedicated teacher and faculty advisor from 1963-2001).
- The Edward C. & Diane White Scholarship (an endowed fund that supports two separate awards, one of which is offered to outstanding students who will be attending medical school).
- Calvin A. Smith Botany Prize (in honor of Calvin A. Smith for his service as a dedicated teacher and faculty advisor from 1963-1998).
Fauna
This organization offers students interested in zoology-related career fields opportunities to gain valuable knowledge, experience and professional networking contacts that can assist them in preparing for graduate and veterinary school as well as for employment upon graduation.
Pre-Medical Society
Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program
The BW Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program is open to Ohio residents who are entering Baldwin Wallace in the fall as a first-year student or transfer student and are interested in biology. Students are eligible to apply to the program which also offers the Choose Ohio First scholarship, awarding annual, renewable scholarships of up to $5,000.
ALUMNI SUCCESS
FACULTY
Full-Time Faculty
Karen
E.
Munroe
Chair,
Biology
&
Geology
Department
Associate
Professor
Ph.D.,
University
of
Arizona
Natalie
M.
Barratt
Professor
Ph.D.,
Cornell
University
Michael
Bumbulis
Professor
of
Biology
Ph.D.,
Case
Western
Reserve
University
Kathryn
M.
Flinn
Associate
Professor
Ph.D.,
Cornell
University
Waymon
Holloway
Assistant
Professor
Ph.D.,
Ohio
University
Michael
E.
Kovach
Professor
of
Biology
Ph.D.,
Louisiana
State
University
Medical
Center
Andrew
Merwin
Assistant
Professor
Florida
State
University
Colleen
K.
Nye
Assistant
Professor
Ph.D.,
Case
Western
Reserve
University
Blake
Petersen
Assistant
Professor
Carrie
Davis
Todd
Environmental
Science
Program
Coordinator
Professor
Ph.D.,
Purdue
University
Adjunct Faculty
Helen
Smith
Lecturer
in
Biology
M.S.,
Miami
University,
M.Ed.,
Cleveland
State
University
Staff
Jessica
Rutt
Laboratory
Support
Specialist
M.S.,
The
College
of
William
and
Mary
Barbara
A.
Rethas
Administrative
Specialist
B.A.,
Baldwin
Wallace
University