Biology fosters an understanding and respect for the patterns and processes of the living world. Students develop technical and analytical skills that allow them to identify and evaluate the significance of biological problems across all levels of organization from the cell to the biosphere.

The curriculum integrates the societal implications and consequences of contributions made by the field with an understanding of the moral and ethical decisions related to the life sciences.

In this manner, students develop a personal philosophy of the living world that includes compassion and responsible action toward all life. This major prepares graduates for a wide range of scientific careers including positions in the health professions, teaching, and research.

The Natural Sciences Department offers a full range of courses that meet the requirements for most health professions programs and for a wide variety of graduate programs. Innovative interdisciplinary courses such as Nature in Ireland, Environmental Biology, Environmental

Literature, Amazon Experience, and a first year writing course focusing on water availability and quality greatly enrich campus course offerings.

View the Biology Curriculum

Meet the faculty

Every member of our nature science division holds a PhD and continues to make significant contributions to their fields. Our professors take a personal interest in you, helping to define your professional goals and design strategies for achieving them.

Doug Holub, PhD

Hank Tillinghast, PhD

Beyond the Classroom

Take advantage of unique learning opportunities that take you beyond the biology classroom.

• Bio-assessments and water quality projects
• Environmental studies
• Field Courses in Ireland and the Amazon Rainforest
• Hospital internships
• Stream clean-ups
• Biology Club
• Field trips to prairie-chicken leks

Beyond the Degree

The Biology Program at OU successfully prepares students for a broad spectrum of biology related fields, including, medicine, genetics, lab research, high school teaching, ecology, microbiology, and more. Many students are accepted to pursue graduate work upon completion of their degree, but others choose to directly enter the workforce. Nearly all of our graduates are working or studying in fields related to their biology major.

"I came to Ottawa University to be pushed outside of my comfort zone," she said as she brushed mud out of her hair and pulled thorns out of her ripped pants, "and that's exactly what I am doing here." 

 Khristina Goady, Alumna, '07