Biology
Opportunities for Our Students
Biology majors can choose from several curricular and extra-curricular activities to enhance their learning experience. Exciting and rewarding opportunities are available within the department and through other University offices. Study abroad, field study, internships, student organizations, service and research opportunities are available to every student.
Beta Beta Beta is a national biological honor society. The University of Dayton chapter, Theta Kappa, is open to all biology and biochemistry majors. The honor society's goals are three-fold: to strengthen the relationships between students and faculty, provide service to the community, and also to provide an awareness of the biological sciences.
National Biological Honor Society
BIO 310L: Ecology Lab
Ecology Lab is the study of local aquatic and terrestrial habitats conducted in several locales.
BIO 407L: Plant Diversity and Ecology Lab
Field laboratory course addressing plant diversity and ecology. Includes a series of field labs focused on plant identification, followed by labs focused on quantitatively assessing plants, plant communities, and ecosystems.
BIO 410: Ecological Restoration
Ecological Restoration utilizes local prairies, woodlots and aquatic environments to gain an understanding of the principles and practices of ecological restoration. The course presents the rationale and knowledge needed to understand, appreciate, plan and perform ecological restoration.
BIO 452L: Biology Rivers and Lakes Lab
Aquatic Biology Lab makes use of several Ohio lakes and streams to carry out laboratory and field exercises emphasizing chemical and physical limnology, evolution of aquatic ecosystems, and pollution ecology.
BIO 479L: Environmental Instrumentation Lab
Students taking Environmental Instrumentation Lab learn how to study current environmental issues at regional field sites through the use of field and laboratory based equipment. The course emphasizes a team-centered approach to investigating environmental problems.
An internship is required of all Environmental Biology majors, and is usually served in the junior or senior year. Three credit hours of internship are required, and up to six hours can be taken. This unique opportunity allows students to obtain valuable training and "on-the-job" experience under the mentorship of established scientists and other professionals at local, state, and federal government agencies and a wide diversity of environmental firms. An internship will provide students with definitive career and research experience using the latest technology. This experience will further strengthen their preparation and competitiveness for jobs and/or prepare them for continued education in the environmental area upon graduation. Students are also encouraged to participate in a wide variety of faculty field and laboratory research projects through special topics courses.