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.

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).

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. Some professional programs allow students to apply prior to completion of a bachelor's degree. Is there any disadvantage of 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).