The Department of Biology equips students for successful careers in the field of biology. Our curriculum provides a comprehensive education across various biological disciplines, including microbiology, genetics, cell biology, evolution, ecology, and organismal biology of plants and animals. Our graduates are highly competitive in pursuing careers in health professions, government agencies, biotechnology, academia, and beyond.
We offer several options within the major, including professional, environmental, cellular and molecular, pre-health biology, general biology, and a marine biology major for both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Students majoring in other disciplines can choose from our three minors: general biology, cellular and molecular biology, and marine science. Our courses are relevant to all pre-health professions curricula and meet the general education requirements of all degree programs. Those interested in teaching high school biology will take their courses in our department. Additionally, we play a significant role at the Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory, where our marine biology majors can take summer courses focused on marine studies.
Our Faculty
Our department consists of 14 full-time faculty members who teach all introductory and upper-level undergraduate biology courses, along with several adjunct faculty who handle some of our freshman-level non-major classes. All classes and laboratories are conducted by faculty members, each of whom maintains their own research laboratory. Our faculty are enthusiastic about mentoring students in research activities, so if you're curious about the research process, feel free to reach out to any of them.
Biology Honor Societies
We have two honor societies in the department:
Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta), the biological honor society, and
Alpha Epsilon Delta, the pre-health professions honor society.
Biology Advising
Our faculty are committed to advising students as they develop their curriculum and explore career options. New or transfer students should reach out to our Chair, Dr. Amy Crews (
aecrews@una.edu), to arrange an advising session. Current Biology Majors can find their advisor in the Portal and should contact them to schedule an advising meeting.
One of our faculty members is the Pre-Health Professions Advisor for students looking to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, optometry, physician assistant roles, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and veterinary medicine. For more details, please visit that webpage.
For more detailed information about the degrees offered by our department, please reach out to us at
biology@una.edu.