Majors, Minors and More
Biology
Why Biology?
The Biology major is the most general and incorporates advanced classes that focus on a wide variety of organisms. It provides a strong background for students interested in everything from the health sciences to ecology and the environmental sciences. A major in Biology is recommended if your goal is to gain a broad perspective in the biological sciences, or you may major in Botany or Zoology if you prefer to specialize in plants or animals, respectively.
What Can I Do With a Major in Biology
There are many options available to Biology majors. A partial list would include admission to pre-professional schools (medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy, etc.), graduate studies, or immediate employment as a naturalist, park technician, assistant pathologist, lab technician, technical sales representative, research technician, museum curator, fisheries manager, environmental planner, municipal zookeeper, environmental impact analyst, or high school biology teacher.
Learning Outcomes - Biology
At graduation, we expect that our majors can
Articulate questions and hypotheses that drive research in the field of biology
Synthesize, evaluate and accurately summarize information from multiple sources
Integrate core concepts and principles from the biological sciences
Recognize areas requiring further research
Comprehend the broader implications of biological research for health
Effectively communicate scientific information to both non-specialist (popular) and specialist (technical)
Zoology
Why Zoology?
Zoology is the area of biology that focuses on animals, from the level of DNA to whole ecosystems. Zoology contains many specific subdisciplines, and zoologists approach their study from different levels of organization. For example, physiologists are interested in the functioning of cells, tissues and organ systems; ecologists are interested in the interactions of animals with one another and with their environment; developmental biologists are concerned with how a multicellular organism forms from a zygote; and molecular biologists study how specific molecules, such as nucleic acids, function in animals. Some scientists study a particular group of animals, such as birds (ornithologists), mammals (mammalogists), amphibians and reptiles (herpetologists), insects (entomologists), and so on. These people are concerned with all aspects of the group under study, including their taxonomic status, life history, physiology, ecology, genetics, etc.
The Zoology major is chosen by many students seeking a career in one of the healthcare professions. It is also selected by those who wish to study animals as teachers and/or researchers, or who plan a career in one of the many areas within the environmental sciences.
What Can I Do With a Major in Zoology
Zoology is the major of choice for students attending medical school, accounting for about two-thirds of the total premedical graduates from Miami. Others choose dental school, veterinary medicine, physical therapy programs, or graduate school in medical technology, pharmacy, optometry, education, or, of course, zoology. Those who seek employment immediately after graduation find positions in a variety of fields. Our graduates report job titles of naturalist, park technician, assistant pathologist, lab technician, technical sales representative, research technician, museum curator, fisheries manager, environmental planner, municipal zookeeper, environmental impact analyst, and high school biology teacher.
Learning Outcomes - Zoology
At graduation, we expect that our majors can
Locate and cite biology source materials using discipline-specific databases
Articulate questions and hypotheses that drive research in the field of biology
Synthesize, evaluate and accurately summarize information from multiple sources
Integrate core concepts and principles from the biological sciences
Recognize areas requiring further research
Comprehend the broader implications of biological research for health
Effectively communicate scientific information to both non-specialist (popular) and specialist (technical)
Botany
Why Botany?
Botany is the study of plants, including a wide range of organisms from microscopic algae to the tallest trees. Plant scientists approach the study of plants from several different levels of organization. Molecular plant biologists study the structure and function of biological molecules in plants, including biochemical and molecular aspects of genetics. Plant physiologists study the functions and vital processes of plants, including photosynthesis and mineral nutrition. Plant systematists study the evolutionary history and relationships among plants. Plant ecologists study the relationships between plants and the environments in which they live, both individually and in communities.
The Botany major is chosen by many students seeking a career in environmental assessment, agriculture, or horticulture. It is also selected by those who wish to teach in the biological sciences or to conduct research in environmental science.
What Can I Do With a Major in Botany
Botany majors are highly successful at gaining admission into graduate and professional schools or entering the profession in education, industry, government, and non-governmental organizations. Many of our graduates become teachers, researchers, or park naturalists upon graduation, or enter graduate schools in ecology and molecular biology, among other fields. They have a high success rate of entry into medical and law schools (with some of the latter specializing in environmental or patent law).
Learning Outcomes for the BA/BS in Botany are to
- Demonstrate how to collect, summarize, analyze and interpret scientific data
- Develop the skills to communicate research findings and scientific knowledge to experts and non-specialists
- Understand the structure and functions of plants, how they interact with other organisms, and how they function within ecological and global systems
Humanities Engagement Certificate
The Humanities Engagement Certificate is designed for degree-seeking students of all majors who wish to position themselves as global citizens who research, write, and think critically about the most pressing and urgent human experiences of the twenty-first century. Course work in the humanities supports research in interdisciplinary themes and topics, while also providing an opportunity for students to think broadly and deeply about professional skills. Engagement with the programs and events of Miami University’s Humanities Center provides opportunities for all students to apply humanities perspectives to their major course of study.
Our Co-Majors
Students majoring in the biological sciences who are interested in a co-major typically pursue one of the following:
Our Minors
The Department of Biology offers the following minors. Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, and Global Perspectives in Sustainability are offered in conjunction with other departments as listed.
Horticulture
The science, art and cultivation of a garden, orchard, or nursery; the cultivation of flowers, fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants.
Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology
Plants are essential to life on this planet, yet they are often overlooked as mere scenery. This minor will address this "plant blindness" by introducing students to the unique biology, diversity and uses of plants.
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics, or the application of computational techniques to molecular biology problems, is a fast-growing field of significant importance in both academia and industry. Students completing a bioinformatics minor will gain the basic knowledge of biology and programming needed to work in this area, as well as an understanding of how computational techniques can be used to advance our knowledge of biology and the life sciences.
in conjunction with the Departments of Computer Science and Software Engineering, and Microbiology
Molecular Biology
This minor enables students to pursue in-depth a multidisciplinary study of biological phenomena at the molecular level. It provides a strong foundation for students planning careers in biotechnology or advanced work at the graduate level.
in conjunction with the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Microbiology (whose website maintains the most up-to-date information).
Neuroscience
This minor enables students to pursue in depth a multidisciplinary study of the nervous system. It provides a basic framework for students planning advanced work at the graduate level.
in conjunction with the Department of Psychology.
Global Perspectives on Sustainability
This interdisciplinary minor introduces students to the foundations of environmental sustainability and its complexities with an emphasis on the approaches taken by people living under different geographic and economic conditions. Of special importance in this minor is increasing student understanding of the issues and problems faced by the majority of global citizens who live in lower-income countries or less industrially-developed parts of the world.
in conjunction with the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability.
Department of Biology
Students in undergraduate and graduate programs learn biological concepts taught by dedicated faculty and gain hands-on research experiences in the laboratory and field using first-class equipment, centers, and facilities. Our graduates pursue a wide variety of career paths in health, biotechnology, the environment, and plant science.
