Biology and Pre-Health Programs
Union University's Biology Department wants to help students achieve their pre-health goals. Students will work directly with a faculty advisor who will not only help them select appropriate coursework, but also help them prepare for professions in these areas:
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Chiropractic
- Veterinary Medicine
- Physical and Occupational Therapy
- Physician's Assistants
- Dentistry
Coursework
Choosing the appropriate coursework is vital for having the foundation necessary to continue studies in a health-related field. We believe a biology degree uniquely prepares students to be successful once they matriculate to their professional school of choice by offering both the rigor and the content coverage necessary to perform well as they progress in their education. Biology classes of interest in these areas include:
- Advanced Anatomy and Physiology I & II
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Comparative Anatomy
- Gross Anatomy
- Histology
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Research Equipment
Professional programs, such as medicine, look favorably on applicants who have conducted research as part of their undergraduate training. Each biology student conducts research before they graduate, in an area that they choose. They will work one-on-one with a faculty mentor to develop, carry out, and present their project, as well as train them to use the equipment needed to conduct that research.
- AKTA Start Chromatography System
- Animal Cell Culture Hood
- Enhanced Chemiluminescence Photo Documentation System
- Fluorescence Microscope
- Fluorescent Microplate Reader
- Fluorometer
- Gel Electrophoresis Units
- High Speed Benchtop Centrifuge
- Inverted Microscope
- Isolation Chamber
- Low Temperature Incubator
- Microscopes
- Microtome
- PCR machines
- Plant Cell Culture Hood
- Quantitative PCR
- Autoclave (x2)
- Sonicator
- Speed-vac
- UV-vis Scanning Spectrophotometer
- Video Microscope
More Complete List of Equipment
Health Professions Advisory Committee
We also have a Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) that offers support for students by writing Letters of Recommendation, conducting Mock Interviews, setting up Campus Visits by Admissions Representatives, and offering Entrance Exam Preparation and Advice. HPAC also helps coordinate various articulation agreements between Union and selected professional programs such as:
- Baptist University College of Medicine
- University of Memphis Lambuth Physical Therapy
- Cedarville University Physician's Assistant
Faculty
Biology-focused faculty that can help you prepare for pre-health professions are:
- Mark Bolyard
- University Professor of Biology
- Interim Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
- Robert Bowen
- Professor of Biology
- Occupational Therapy Advisor
- Physical Therapy Advisor
- Esther Choi
- Associate Professor of Biology, Director of Graduate Studies
- Pharmacy Advisor
- James R. Kerfoot
- Co-Chair and Professor of Biology
- Chiropractic Advisor
- Physician's Assistant Advisor
- James Marcus Lockett
- Director, Health Professions Advisory Committee
- Co-Chair and Professor of Biology
- Medical Advisor
- Tamara D. Popplewell
- Assistant Professor of Biology
- Medical Advisor
- Michael Schiebout
- Professor of Biology and Director of Graduate Admissions
- Medical Advisor
- William Thierfelder
- Associate Professor of Biology
- Director, Edward P. Hammons Center for Scientific Studies
- Medical Advisor