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

If you have questions about your 2019-2020 course registration, we encourage you to meet with your faculty advisor.

GVSU Undergraduate Fellow Brendan Kosnik and his mentor Dr. Gary Greer studied the impacts of Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, on epiphytes in El Yunque National Forest.

Jacob Doggett

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.

Merring

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.

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Twitter feed for @BiologyGVSU

GVSU Biology

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Sarah Lamar was named the 2019 winner of the Excellence in a Discipline Award for Biology Master of Science. Sarah will be pursuing her PhD in Conservation Biology, continuing to use genetic techniques to answer questions related to conservation and ecology.

GVSU Biology

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Kailey Keenan-Whittemore was named the 2019 winner of the Excellence in a Discipline Award for Natural Resources Management. Kailey is avidly looking for a private sector job supporting best management practices, restoration or conservation of our natural resources.

GVSU Biology

@BiologyGvsu

Kristin Schepke was named the 2019 winner of the Excellence in a Discipline Award for Biology. Kristin plans to pursue a graduate degree in Ecology and Evolution following graduation.