Dec 04, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Department of Biology


Kyle Seifert, Interim Academic Unit Head
Phone:
(540) 568-6225
Email: seiferkx@jmu.edu
Location: Bioscience Building, Room 2001C

Heather Griscom, Associate Academic Unit Head
Email: griscohp@jmu.edu
Location: Bioscience Building, Room 1028H

Janet Daniel, Assistant Academic Unit Head
Email: danie2jc@jmu.edu
Location: Bioscience Building, Room 2028C

Website: http://www.jmu.edu/biology

Professors
C. Cleland, M. Gabriele, H. Griscom, C. Johnson, C. Lantz, C. McMullen, J. Monroe, C. Rose, K. Seifert, B. Wiggins, R. Wunderlich

Associate Professors
S. Babcock, T. Bloss, J. Brown, I. Cooper, S. Cresawn, J. Daniel, R. Enke, K. Gobetz, S. Halsell, J. Harsh, J. Herrick, K. Kubow, P. Ludwig, C. May, M. Parker, T. Rife, K. Slekar, M. Steffen, G. Vidal, L. Wurch

Assistant Professors
K. Barnard-Kubow, B. Cage, A. Cass, J. Ferreira de Vasconcellos, H. Lassiter, P. Menon, D. Moseley, E. Naylor, K. Reider, L. Sarringhaus, B. Velayudhan, K. Yoshimura

Lecturers
E. Doyle, O. Hyman, T. Hynd, P. Kilkenny, A. Pesce

Instructors
W. Flint, J. Marquardt, C. Murray, J. Powers, J. Stutzman, R. Walters

Staff
L. Brefo, P. Crider, C. Curry, J. Fox, K. Norment

Mission Statement

The Department of Biology holds as its primary core value a commitment to providing superlative teaching for students. To accomplish this mission, we will create an environment for learning that will include opportunities for undergraduate research, a broadly-based academic program, a supportive, diverse and collaborative faculty, an understanding of the process of science and a recognition of the importance of community outreach and involvement.

Career Opportunities and Advanced Fields of Study

  • Anthropology
  • Aquatic Science
  • Biodiversity
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biotechnology
  • Botany
  • Clinical Laboratory Sciences
  • Dentistry
  • Ecology and Environmental Science
  • Epidemiology
  • Forensic Science
  • Forestry
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Graduate School in the Biological Sciences
  • Immunology
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Microscopy
  • Neurobiology
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Optometry
  • Pharmacology
  • Physical Therapy
  • Physician Assistant
  • Physiology
  • Research Assistant
  • Scientific Writing
  • Secondary Education
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Virology
  • Zoology

Students interested in pursuing any of these career opportunities should contact the biology office. An appropriate adviser will be assigned for mentoring and course selection.

Co-curricular Activities and Organizations

Biology majors participate in activities such as:

  • Weekly departmental seminars
  • Tri-Beta, a national biology society
  • Pre-professional health clubs and honor society
  • Summer and academic-year research opportunities
  • Summer courses at biological field stations
  • Internships with various organizations
  • Aiding in teaching as student assistants
  • Presenting papers at meetings
  • Volunteering at Sentara RMH and with the rescue squad

Special Requirements

To be used as prerequisites for biology courses, grades of “C-” or higher should be earned in the following: BIO 140 /BIO 140L , BIO 150 /BIO 150L CHEM 131 , CHEM 131L , and CHEM 132 . In order for BIO 270 /BIO 270L   and BIO 290 /BIO 290L  credit to be transferred, both semesters of an Anatomy and Physiology course (A&P I and A&P II) must be completed at the “C” or higher level from the same institution. A single semester of either of these sequences transfers as BIO 000. Only BIO 290/290L can be applied towards biology major electives; BIO 270/270L does not apply towards biology electives.

Practical hands-on experience in the field and/or laboratory is important content of laboratory-based courses. Transfer credit for courses including laboratories will only be awarded for those having skill and application content comparable to that of JMU courses. Elective biology credits applicable toward the major or minor are transferred as specific courses or as BIO 200,  BIO 426. Topics in Biology  or BIO 427. Topics in Biology with Laboratory  . Credits not applicable toward the major or minor, but applicable toward the 120-hour degree requirement, are transferred as BIO 000. A maximum of eight credit hours of first year (100) level BIO courses may be applied to the biology major or minor requirements.

Programs