Frequently Asked Questions

Prospective Students

Q. What courses should I take in high school if I want to be a Biology major?
A. We recommend that you take plenty of science courses. Be sure to take the ones that interest you, focusing primarily on Biology (of course!), Chemistry, and Physics. We also suggest that you take as much Math as possible, including a course in Statistics if your school offers it. Believe it or not, science students do a fair amount of reading and writing; therefore, English or other courses that improve your reading and writing skills also would be helpful.

Q. What do you think about AP or dual credit classes? Will it help me get ahead as a Biology major?
A. There are two answers to that. First, most AP or dual credit courses will provide you with credit for only our Biology 100 course, which is the department's introductory course for non-majors; therefore, it will not help you as a Biology major. Any AP or dual credit course certainly will make you better prepared as you enroll in Biology 112, our first course major.

Q. What do you think about the idea of "shadowing"?
A. "Shadowing", or spending some time with a person in the profession in which you are interested, is a great idea. If nothing else, this will help you understand more about your choice of profession, and it will give you a clearer idea of what God has in store for your life.

Q. Are there research opportunities for Biology students at Union?
A. Yes! Not only are there opportunities, but a three-semester sequence of research courses is required of all Biology majors. With our move into White Hall, the Biology Department also was able to purchase quite a few pieces of sophisticated equipment for student use in their research projects and in various courses. We encourage students to begin thinking about research as early as possible upon deciding to become a Biology major.

Q. Are there opportunities to work with animals at Union?
A. Yes! While there are several different types of opportunities, one that stands out is work through the Wildlife Rehab Center, directed by Professor James Huggins. His objective is to receive injured and abandoned animals, primarily raptors (Owls, Hawks, etc.), nurse them back to health, then either release them into the wild or find ways for them to be used as educational animals. There are several opportunities to work with animals through this Center.

Q. How do I arrange a visit to the Biology Department and White Hall?
A. Please contact Union's Admissions Office to arrange a visit to campus. Indicate that you are interested in Biology, and they will set up a meeting with a Biology faculty member and a tour of our facility.

Q. How big are Biology classes?
A. Introductory class lectures may have around forty students; upper-level classes, however, usually put a cap at sixteen.  Lab numbers are also limited for better interaction.

Q. What are some career options for those with a Biology degree?
A. We've gathered some information for you on this page.  With the resources listed, you should be able to obtain quite a broad overview of the many career paths available.  Please contact us if you'd like to discuss this question in more depth.

Q. Why should I choose Union?
A. We at Union believe that just as God knit you together in your mother's womb (Ps. 139), He has also prepared you to do good works (Eph. 2:10).  These good works must certainly include your life's profession.  Therefore, we are in the business of preparing biology-oriented young people to go out into the world and make a difference for Christ.  The Biology faculty members have dedicated their lives to teaching students and meeting the needs of those whom God has prepared for graduate or professional school, as well as various careers.  Our graduates find great success in a wide variety of academic and career paths.  We will tirelessly guide you through the educational rigors of biological content and research within the context of the call that our Lord has issued to both the student and the members of our department.

Current Students:

Q. How do I know what courses to take for my particular area of study?
A. As a Biology major, you should have been assigned to a Faculty Advisor. If you do not have an Advisor, please contact Mrs. Suzanne Nadasky (snadaskay@uu.edu) to see if you have been assigned an Advisor. Your Advisor can provide invaluable assistance in selecting your courses. There are also a number of curriculum guides and other information that can be obtained by going to Union's homepage and looking at the menu options under the menu bar "Undergraduate Areas of Study".

Q. How am I assigned an academic advisor?
A. Advisors are assigned by the Secretary for the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, typically based on either their intended career path (if pre-professional) or by their concentration within the major. A freshman who is undecided about his/her major will be advised by the Center for New Students. Advisors assist students in planning schedules and defining educational and career goals. Advisors inform advisees of the academic requirements and attempt to guide them through the program of study toward their chosen major.

Q. How do I go about registering for classes?
A. Each student will need to meet with his/her advisor. During pre-registration, the advisor will then submit the discussed schedule online. If a student is late for pre-registration, they must still consult with the advisor and get the advisor's signature before submitting the appropriate forms to Union Station.

Q. How should I choose my research?
A. It's never too early to start considering what areas of research you may be interested in.  Make sure you're thinking purposefully about this during your sophomore year.  As you think, you'll want to visit faculty websites to find out what their areas of research are.  From there, it's a good idea to talk to the faculty members whose research interests you.  You may also talk to the research director, Dr. Andy Madison, to discuss developing your own idea if you want to research a topic unrelated to faculty work.

Q. What equipment is available for me to use?
A. While we continue obtaining new equipment, here is a list of some of the equipment that is currently available.

Q. What if I want to take a course that is not in the catalog?
A. If you'd like to take a course not offered in the catalog, you've got some options.  Look first at the courses offered by Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies or the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.  These include marine biology, ecological, and behavioral courses.  An additional option is to work with a faculty member to develop an individualized course that is suited to your needs.

Q. What is the process for applying for graduate or professional school?
A. For graduate school, there are numerous online resources to help you with this decision, including Petersons.com, USNews.com, Kaplan.com, and GradSchools.com. You'll want to start the process at least a year if not two years before you intend to go to grad school. An excellent planning timeline can be found here.  For professional school, you will need to follow the instructions provided by the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC). First, download the Evaluation Request form. Fill the request out, sign it, have your advisor sign, and turn the form in to the chair of HPAC, currently Dr. Mark Bolyard, Biology Department Chair.  From there, your information will be reviewed and evaluated, and a letter of recommendation will be directly submitted to the schools of your choice.  HPAC members can also guide you in other aspects of the application process, helping you understand what questions may be asked in an interview, for instance.

Q. Some professional programs allow students to apply prior to completion of a bachelor's degree. Is there any disadvantage in applying to these programs during my junior year?
A. While there is not a disadvantage in applying to a professional program to enter after your junior year, there is a disadvantage in organizing your curriculum with the assumption that you will get in at that time. Typically, schools that advertise that they accept students after their junior year actually accept a majority of applicants with bachelor's degrees; therefore, plan to complete your four-year degree so that you are on track to graduate if you are not admitted into the professional school after your junior year.

Q. Where can I find current internship, employment, graduate, and professional school information?
A. The department has a bulletin board under the northeast stairwell on the first floor of White Hall (closest to the clock tower) with current graduate and professional school information. There is also a file cabinet in the student study area (room 126) that has an archive of information as well. A bulletin board in the northwest stairwell (the other "front" stairwell) contains current internship and employment information. Please check these regularly as new information is posted as it arrives.

 

If you can think of any other questions that would be useful to have on this page, please email them to the Department Chair, Dr. Mark Bolyard (mbolyard@uu.edu).