Department of Biology

Chairperson of Department: Associate Professor Cleo A. Hughes Darden; Associate Chairperson of Department: Associate Professor Lisa D. Brown. Professors: Gloria E. Hoffman, Christine F. Hohmann, Kenneth P. Samuel, Joseph Whittaker - Associate Director, GESTAR Program; Associate Professors: Yun-Chi Chen, Frank Denaro, Chunlei Fan, Michael Koban, Gabrielle McLemore, Saroj Pramanik, Mathumathi Rajavel, Gerald Rameau, Viji Sitther, Ernest C. Steele, James Wachira, Jonathan Wilson - Director of the Baltimore Urban Systemic Initiative, Assistant Professors: Robert Javonillo, Simon Nyaga; Lecturers: Adedayo Ariyibi, Dwayne Hill, Sanjeeda Jafar, Haruna Sesay, Erika Whitney

Program Overview:

Vision of the Department

The Department of Biology aims to be a state and national leader in preparing a diverse population of students for graduate and professional training in the life sciences and STEM, and for entry in the workforce as innovators, leaders, and teachers of tomorrow. Students will develop competencies and skills preparing and enabling them to strategize and implement solutions for merging local, national, and global issues.

Mission of the Department

Our mission is to provide a vibrant, interactive, and collegial learning environment in which to train undergraduate and graduate science and non-science majors in the fundamental principles of modern biology. Our program provides the desired balance of technical skills, depth of knowledge, research competency, and broad-based integrated science education in preparing students for careers in life science and health professions, as well as to appreciate the importance of biological knowledge and make creative contributions to solving societal problems. The main goal of our program is to produce a diverse population of students who are competitively trained to be critical thinkers, life-long learners, and engaged citizens who are competent to pursue careers as life science educators, research scientists, health-related professionals, and employment in other STEM-related fields.

Departmental Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge in the fundamental concepts in biological thought and inquiry, including evolution, structure/function, information flow, transformation of energy and matter and biological systems.
Demonstrate the ability to interpret and evaluate the scientific literature.
Demonstrate competency in laboratory skills and exercises employing quantitative and computational methods to analyze and solve biological problems.
Demonstrate the ability to integrate scientific principles from the mathematical, chemical and physical sciences to better understand how biological systems function.
Demonstrate effective oral and written communcations and presentation of scientific information to a diverse audience.
Demonstrate critical thinking ability in the analysis of scientific problems and interpretation of data.
Demonstrate responsible and professional conduct and sound ethical principles.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Biology Minor