LSUA Department of Biological Sciences Receives $432K Grant
Funding will be utilized for enhancing curriculum and equipment
Continue ReadingBiological Sciences
The Department of Biological Sciences offers the Bachelor of Science in Biology. This degree is designed to meet the needs of students with a variety of career goals. Many of our students intend to enter professional programs in medicine, physician’s assistant, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy or occupational therapy after they complete their bachelor’s degrees at LSUA. Others plan to attend graduate school or pursue employment in one of the biology sub-disciplines such as cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, botany, zoology, physiology, or ecology. Another subset of the students is interested in the applied biological fields of wildlife biology, fisheries, or forestry. For more information about the broad career options for Biology graduates, please refer to this article.
Beyond the Classroom
Biological Science Organization
The BSO is a student-led organization with the goal of organizing a diverse and interactive group of students with an interest in any area of the biological sciences. We offer social activities, volunteer opportunities, and guest lectures of various backgrounds talk about their work. We do not have a GPA requirement and are open to students of all majors with interests in the biological sciences!
For more information, contact one of our faculty sponsors: Dr. Cheri Bardales or Dr. Susan Bowers.
For more information, contact one of our faculty sponsors: Dr. Cheri Bardales or Dr. Susan Bowers.
Premed Advisory
The Premed Advisory Board is a committee of faculty from Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology that helps guide premed majors through their crucial years at LSUA. The Board maintains an open line of communication with medical schools in Louisiana and surrounding states to best advise our majors at LSUA. It also writes letters of recommendation and helps students locate internships and service opportunities that will provide experiences that will help build a strong application upon graduation.
Undergraduate Research
Participating in undergraduate research doesn't just offer you the chance to discover new things and ask questions no one has ever asked before, it also provides you the chance to:
- learn new skills and techniques that will be useful in your future career
- meet new people who share the same research interests as you
- travel to conferences to present your findings and learn what others have found
- add valuable content to your resumes and applications
- work with your favorite professors and give them reasons to write strong letters of recommendation
- earn credit toward your degree
How to get involved:
You will be exposed to smaller research projects in most of your Biology courses at LSUA, but the best ways to get intensive, mentored research experience is either by enrolling in BIOL 3990 or by taking the Junior Seminar/Senior Project course sequence. In all of these you will be paired with a faculty mentor, develop a research proposal, and then conduct your research while being guided and encouraged by a faculty member of your choice.
What if my research costs money?
That is not a problem! The department has funds specifically set aside to support its student researchers. To receive research funding, you will give a very short presentation of your research proposal and a committee will disperse the funds on a case-by-case basis. If this sounds scary, just remember that your mentor will be with you every step of the way! You can also apply for funds to pay for your travel to present at conferences!
New: Starting the academic year of 2022 - 2023 you will also be able to apply for our Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) which provides you the opportunity to spend the summer focused on your own research and get paid summer employment to do so!
How can I present or publish my research once i'm finished?
There are so many ways! You and your mentor can find a journals or conferences that specialize in your field or you can present at Scholar Day at A or publish in The Oak Leaf right here on campus.
To learn more about any of these opportunities, please feel free to email the chair of the department, Dr. Nate Sammons.
Internships
New internships opportunities are posted regularly as faculty become aware of current openings.
Student Learning Support
Are you falling behind in one or your classes? Or wanting to stay on top of all your exams, papers, and projects? We strongly recommend taking advantage of the many ways you can receive help outside the classroom:
Take advantage of your Supplemental Instructor (SI)
Several of the most challenging classes are assigned an SI to help the students through the most challenging content. These are students who have previously taken the course, did exceptionally well, and then are paid to sit through the course again and help students when they need. SI's typically have several review sessions each week and have set office hours you can drop by for even more help.
Go to tutoring
We offer face to face as well as online tutoring free of cost. The schedule is linked here. Schedule a time and watch your grades go up!
Visit the Writing Center
Before that big (or little) paper is due, make sure to submit it to the Writing Center for review. They have trained consultants who will read over your work, ask questions, and provide you with amazing feedback that will get you trained to start using an editor. Seeking help from an editor will be a practice that you will want to continue throughout your career as you submit manuscripts for publication, so please get in the practice now! Plus, your grades will reflect your commitment to produce your best work!
Take advantage of your Supplemental Instructor (SI)
Several of the most challenging classes are assigned an SI to help the students through the most challenging content. These are students who have previously taken the course, did exceptionally well, and then are paid to sit through the course again and help students when they need. SI's typically have several review sessions each week and have set office hours you can drop by for even more help.
Go to tutoring
We offer face to face as well as online tutoring free of cost. The schedule is linked here. Schedule a time and watch your grades go up!
Visit the Writing Center
Before that big (or little) paper is due, make sure to submit it to the Writing Center for review. They have trained consultants who will read over your work, ask questions, and provide you with amazing feedback that will get you trained to start using an editor. Seeking help from an editor will be a practice that you will want to continue throughout your career as you submit manuscripts for publication, so please get in the practice now! Plus, your grades will reflect your commitment to produce your best work!
Student employment
Want to make some money and also build your resume? Consider applying for one of the paid positions we offer our students. Hours worked each week are flexible and you get to set your schedule!
Student Worker
Students who are hired in these positions do much of the day to day maintenance of the department. This includes assisting Jamie Holmes in miscellaneous activities, maintaining clean lab and lecture spaces, caring for the live animal collection, working in the greenhouse, or assisting with lab preparation.
Supplemental Instructor
These positions attend the lectures of the class they are assigned and then develop review activities for the students in that class. There are typically two review session and a couple office hours each week where you will be assisting students that need extra help.
Tutor
Tutors are hired based on the breadth and success of coursework they have completed. We prefer to hire tutors who can help with a large range of classes and topics. Each semester you will indicate when you are available and your schedule will be published for anyone who needs your help.
Student Worker
Students who are hired in these positions do much of the day to day maintenance of the department. This includes assisting Jamie Holmes in miscellaneous activities, maintaining clean lab and lecture spaces, caring for the live animal collection, working in the greenhouse, or assisting with lab preparation.
Supplemental Instructor
These positions attend the lectures of the class they are assigned and then develop review activities for the students in that class. There are typically two review session and a couple office hours each week where you will be assisting students that need extra help.
Tutor
Tutors are hired based on the breadth and success of coursework they have completed. We prefer to hire tutors who can help with a large range of classes and topics. Each semester you will indicate when you are available and your schedule will be published for anyone who needs your help.
Check out our newest concentration: Zoo Science!
In partnership with the Alexandria Zoo, LSUA offers one of the only programs in the south where students can gain real-world, on-site zoo animal experience in an AZA-accredited zoo setting. The Zoo Sciences concentration provides the expertise necessary for a rewarding career with a zoo, aquarium, nature preserve, or in captive animal care and management programs. Click here for more information.
Degree Audit Zoo Science
Degree audit
General Education Requirements
See list of approved courses in the General Education section of the catalog.
English Composition
- ENGL 1001 - English Composition I Credits: 3
- ENGL 1002 - English Composition II Credits: 3
Total Credits: 6
Social Sciences
- General Education Social Sciences Credits: 6
Total Credits: 6
Mathematics
- MATH 1021 - College Algebra Credits: 3
- MATH 1022 - Plane Trigonometry Credits: 3
Total Credits: 6
Natural Sciences
Students who have an ACT Math sub-score of less than 23 must complete MATH 1021 before enrolling in CHEM 1201.
- CHEM 1201 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3
- CHEM 1202 - General Chemistry II Credits: 3
- PHYS 2001 - General Physics I Credits: 3
Total Credits: 9
Humanities
- General Education CMST Credits: 3
- General Education Humanities Credits: 6
Total Credits: 9
Fine Arts
- General Education Fine Arts Credits: 3 (fine arts, music, theatre)
Total Credits: 3
Total Credits: 39
Major Requirements
- BIOL 1201 - Biology for Science Majors I Credits: 4
- BIOL 1202 - Biology for Science Majors II Credits: 4
- BIOL 2051 - General Microbiology Credits: 4
- BIOL 2153 - Genetics Credits: 4
- BIOL 3150 OR BIOL 3152 OR BIOL 3500 OR BIOL 4154 Credits: 4
- BIOL 3160 - Survey of the Plant Kingdom Credits: 4
- BIOL 4000 - Senior Seminar Credits: 1
- Area of Concentration: Credits: 30
Total Credits: 55
Required Courses (26-27) + Elective Courses (3-4)
- BIOL 1501 - Introduction to Zoo Science Credits: 3
- BIOL 1502 - Zoo Keeping Techniques Credits: 4
- BIOL 3040 - Evolution Credits: 3
- BIOL 3540 - Zoo Animal Husbandry Credits: 3
- BIOL 3541 - Zoo Animal Training Credits: 3
- BIOL 3500 – Natural History of the Vertebrates Credits: 4
- BIOL 4015 - Conservation Biology OR BIOL 4253 - Principles of Ecology Credits: 3-4
- BIOL 4540 - Zoo Animal Health Credits: 3
· Three to four hours of Elective Courses to be chosen from the following list: BIOL 2031, BIOL 3001, BIOL 3123, BIOL 3150, BIOL 3542, BIOL 3901, BIOL 3990, BIOL 4015, BIOL 4041, BIOL 4154, BIOL 4191, BIOL 4253, BIOL 4545, PSYC 4036.
Total Credits: 30
Additional Requirements
- CHEM 1301 - General Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 1
- CHEM 1302 - General Chemistry Laboratory II Credits: 1
- CHEM 3060 - Organic Chemistry Concepts Credits: 3
- BIOL 2201 – Introductory Statistics for Biological Sciences Credits: 3
- BIOL 2202 – Scientific Inquiry Credits: 3
- BIOL 1000 - Orientation to Biological Sciences Credits: 1
Total Credits: 12