Welcome to Biology at Union
We are excited that you have chosen to visit us, and we hope this website provides you with all of the information you need. This site is designed to provide information for prospective students and current students, as well as alumni, parents, and friends. The 2009-2010 school year is already proving to be an exciting time with much growth in enrollment and two new faculty members to accomodate increasing student numbers.
The Biology Department has a dedicated and growing faculty. We currently have 11 full-time faculty members, having recently welcomed two new faculty members, Dr. Jennifer Gruenke and Mr. James Kerfoot. Whether teaching or conducting research, our faculty strives for excellence as to the Lord and is deeply committed to education and service.
What do people do with a degree in Biology? Historically, Union's science departments have done an exceptional job at preparing students for professional studies (pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, pre-dentistry, etc.). However, there are many other options for a Biology major, and we look forward to working with each student to pursue her/his interests. Graduate school is another great option (of course we think so--we all went there!). This can prepare students for careers in research (university, government, or corporate), teaching, or public service. Perhaps you will develop a cure for a disease, or devise a plan to restore the habitat of an endangered species. As you walk around the Biology Department, look for the posters entitled "What can you do with a Biology degree?" to give you even more ideas. You may also find this page to be of help.
To help prepare students for the many options available to Biology majors, we have recently modified our curriculum. We now offer three tracks within the Biology major (General Biology, Zoology, Cell and Molecular Biology) as well as a new major in Conservation Biology. Our faculty are looking forward to helping students choose the best path for them.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our program, or if you would like to visit, we'd love to see you!
Dr. Mark Bolyard
Biology Department Chair