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.
Degree Options:
We offer undergraduate degrees in Biology, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Natural Resources Management, or Wildlife Biology 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 degrees in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Natural Resources Management, and Wildlife Biology. Undergraduate students also may complete emphases in Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Teacher Certification, or Pre-Medical and Pre-Professional preparation through our undergraduate program. The Biology MS degree program also offers optional emphases in either Aquatic Sciences or Natural Resources.
Biology Department Seminar Series
Check back for any upcoming seminars!
Research Opportunities:
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.
Time Lapse Video of Corpse Flower Blooming - April 2022
Boosting Survival for Eastern Box Turtle Hatchlings
Dr. Jennifer Moore, student researchers, and conservation experts give rare turtles an impenetrable head start on life.
Grand Rapids Public Museum Announces ‘Major Breakthrough’ in Grand River Sturgeon Reproduction Research
A team of scientists and partnership researchers have documented natural reproduction of Lake Sturgeon in the Grand River for the first time.
Archaeogenetics and the origin of Proto-Indo-European language
Dr. Alexey Nikitin is a co-author on a major study of the genetic ancestry of the people who lived around the Black Sea (the circum-Pontic area) and the Aegean from the Neolithic to Medieval times.
Wildland Fire Management Course
Natural Resource Management students Emma Richards, Anna Hestera, and Jake Torok practice using a water hose during the NRM/BIO 230 Introduction to Wildland Fire Management course at the Edward Lowe Foundation. Photo Credit: Edward Lowe Foundation
Corpse Flower Blooming for First Time
The corpse flower in the Barbara Kindschi Greenhouse is blooming for the first time since its arrival about seven years ago!
Feeding Habits of Prominent Feeder Songbird, Black-Capped Chickadees
Dr. Jenny Jenkins and student researchers are setting up field research this winter in the Arboretum on the Allendale Campus to gain more insight into the feeding habits, and even the personalities, for common songbirds: black-capped chickadees.
Job Feed
3/29/23
Entry Level Biochemist- PSS Speed Interview at Eurofins
for job 7713169
Eurofins - Eurofins PSS Insourcing Solutions USA
Expires: 5/29/23
3/29/23
Kaibab National Forest Climate Change Resource Assistant MAIIJA717 at USDA Forest Service
for job 7713016
USDA Forest Service - Kaibab National Forest
Expires: 3/31/23
3/29/23
Scientist / Senior Scientist - Cell Culture at Thermo Fisher Scientific
for job 7711963
Thermo Fisher Scientific - PPD
Expires: 6/30/23
3/29/23
Senior Scientist - HPLC at Thermo Fisher Scientific
for job 7711932
Thermo Fisher Scientific - PPD
Expires: 6/30/23
3/29/23
Associate Research Scientist - LC-MS at Thermo Fisher Scientific
for job 7711887
Thermo Fisher Scientific - PPD
Expires: 6/30/23