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).
