Department of Biology and Natural Resources Management
Biology is an exciting and dynamic field focusing on the study of living things and their environments. The Department strives to set a standard of excellence in biology and natural resources education as a unit within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. We offer undergraduate degrees in Biology or Natural Resources Management, and a graduate degree in Biology.
Students interested in ecology and environmental sustainability will find many opportunities to pursue their interests in our undergraduate programs, which include emphases in General Biology, Biomolecular Processes, and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, in addition to the degree in Natural Resources Management. Undergraduate students also may complete emphases in Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Teacher Certification, or pursue Pre-Medical and other Pre-Professional preparation through our undergraduate program. The Biology MS degree program also offers optional emphases in either Aquatic Sciences or Natural Resources.
Faculty in the Biology Department are involved in a broad range of research providing many opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in a variety of projects. These areas of research include animal behavior, aquatic biology, bioethics, botany, climate, conservation, development, ecology, environmental sustainability, evolutionary biology, genetics, microbiology, natural resources management, natural resources policy, restoration ecology, and science education.
News / Upcoming Events
Dr. Jennifer Moore is conducting research on Tuatara this semester during her sabbatical. Tuatara are a reptile species native to New Zealand, and a focus of international conservation efforts. The objective of her sabbatical research is to improve our understanding of tuatara reproductive success, and develop protocol for conservation breeding techniques that can be applied to captive tuatara globally.
Congratulations to BIO Professor, Stephen Rybczynski, named this year's Michigan Science Teacher Association College Science Teacher of the Year. Dr. Rybczynski was chosen for using and modeling best practices, inspiring students, demonstrating innovative teaching strategies, serving as an excellent role model for students and other teachers, demonstrating leadership, and exhibiting a passion for science and for teaching.
The GVSU plastination lab acquired conjoined female newborn Holstein calves from a local dairy farm.
GVSU hosted the 2018 Regional West Michigan American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA) Symposium.
NRM graduate, Mary Parr, earned The Nature Conservancy’s prestigious Claire M. Hubbard Young Leaders in Conservation Fellowship Award.
Biology faculty member, Bob Hollister, is looking for undergraduates to do research documenting vegetation in northern Alaska. All expenses will be paid and students will be paid approximately $1,000 per month.
Research by NRM faculty member, Erik Nordman, and Paul Isely from the Seidman College of Business Economics Department, was featured in the International Joint Commission's newsletter, the Great Lakes Connection. Their work suggests that removing invasive Phragmites stands from waterfront properties substantially increases property values.
Job Feed
1/10/19
Fisheries Technician
for job 2312840
Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation
Expires: 2/14/19
1/9/19
Diagnostic Lab/Research Internship
for job 2308288
Bartlett Tree Experts
Expires: 4/15/19
1/7/19
Consulting Utility Forester � University Park, IL at Davey Resource Group
for job 2296709
Davey Resource Group - Utility Vegetation Management-East
Expires: 3/8/19
1/6/19
Internship-Education - Fall 2019
for job 2294139
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Expires: 4/1/19
1/6/19
Internship-Animal Keeper - Fall 2019
for job 2294132
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Expires: 4/1/19