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Faculty Research Areas and Specializations

The Miami University biology and microbiology faculty's research spans a wide range of disciplines — from the molecular machinery inside living cells to the ecosystems that sustain life on Earth. Our faculty are actively advancing knowledge to address some of today's most pressing questions in health, the environment, and the science of life itself.

Cell, Molecular, and Structural Biology

This field studies how living cells work at the smallest scale — examining the molecules, proteins, and structures inside cells that control growth, disease, and function. Researchers in this area work to understand how life operates at the chemical level, which drives advances in medicine and drug development.

Curriculum in genetics and cellular, molecular, and developmental biology department of biology courses offered

Curriculum in genetics and cellular, molecular, and developmental biology:
Course Title Course Number Credit Hour(s)
Biological Concepts: Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, and Diversity 115 4
Biological Concepts: Structure, Function, Cellular, and Molecular Biology 116 4
Introduction to Cell Biology 203 3
Directed Research in Genetics, Cell, Molecular, or Developmental Biology 320 1-3
Genetics 342 3
Patterns in Development 361 4
Independent Research (Capstone) 419.R 3
Molecular Biology (Capstone) 444 3
Biology of Cancer 449 3
Laboratory in Cell/Molecular Biology 464 3
Molecular Physiology 471 3
Theory of Electron Microscopy 481 2
Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory 482 2
Transmission Electron Microscopy Laboratory 483 2

Seniors may apply to enroll in 600-level courses for undergraduate credit. Seniors may also apply to enroll in 500- and 600-level courses for graduate credit. You must have at least 112 semester hours of credit, a 2.75 GPA overall, and a 3.0 GPA in the major.

Ecology and Environmental Biology

Ecology and environmental biology explores how living organisms interact with each other and with their surroundings — from forests and oceans to cities and farms. This research helps us understand how ecosystems stay balanced and what happens when they are disrupted by human activity or climate change.

Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology

This field combines the study of ecosystems, the history of life on Earth, and how environmental pressures shape species over time. Researchers ask how living things adapt to changing environments and what that means for biodiversity and conservation.

Environmental Microbiology

Environmental microbiology focuses on the tiny microorganisms — bacteria, fungi, and viruses — that live in soil, water, and air, and the roles they play in keeping ecosystems healthy. This research is key to understanding pollution cleanup, nutrient cycling, and the unseen biology driving the natural world.

Evolution, Behavior, and Conservation Biology

This area examines why animals and plants behave the way they do, how species change over generations, and how we can protect biodiversity from extinction. It connects evolutionary history to real-world conservation strategies for endangered species and threatened habitats.

Curriculum in ecology, evolution, behavior and environmental biology department of biology courses offered

Curriculum in ecology, evolution, behavior and environmental biology department:
Course Title Course Number Credit Hour(s)
Biological Concepts: Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, and Diversity 115 4
Biological Concepts: Structure, Function, Cellular, and Molecular Biology 116 4
Evolution of Plant Biodiversity: Genes to Biosphere 204 3
Dendrology 205 4
Evolutionary Biology 206 3
Fundamentals of Ecology 209 3
Plant Taxonomy 302 4
Vertebrate Zoology 311 4
Invertebrate Zoology 312 4
Plant and Fungal Diversity 314 4
Directed Research in Behavior, Ecology, Evolution, Environmental Biology 320 1-3
Field Ecology 333 3
Genetics 342 3
Environmental Education: Focus on Natural History 351 3
Paleoanthropology 355 3
Primate Biology and Behavior 395 3
Ichthyology 407 4
Ornithology 408 4
Herpetology 409 4
Mammalogy 410 4
General Entomology 411 4
Independent Research (Capstone) 419.R 3
Environmental Plant Physiology 425 4
Global Plant Diversity 431 3
Ecoregions of North America 432 3
Soil Ecology 438 3
Conservation Education and Community Engagement 451 3
Animal Physiological Ecology 453 4
Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment (Capstone) 462 4
Limnology 463 4
Animal Behavior (Capstone) 465 4
Conservation Biology 467 3
Socioecology of Primates 497 3
Evolution of Human Behavior (Capstone) 498 3

Seniors may apply to enroll in 600-level courses for undergraduate credit. Seniors may also apply to enroll in 500- and 600-level course for graduate credit if they have at least 112 semester hours of credit, a 2.75 GPA overall, and a 3.0 GPA in the major.

Microbial Pathogenesis

Microbial pathogenesis is the study of how bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms cause disease in humans, animals, and plants. Understanding how pathogens infect and harm their hosts is essential for developing new vaccines, antibiotics, and treatments.

Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics

This field investigates how a single fertilized egg develops into a complex organism, guided by genes and molecular signals inside every cell. Researchers study how genes are switched on and off during development and how errors in this process lead to birth defects, cancer, and other conditions.

Molecular Microbiology

Molecular microbiology studies the genetic and biochemical machinery that allows microorganisms like bacteria and viruses to survive, reproduce, and sometimes cause disease. This research underpins the development of antibiotics, antiviral drugs, and biotechnology tools used across medicine and industry.

Organismal Biology and Zoology

Organismal biology and zoology focus on whole animals — how they are built, how they function, and how they behave in the wild. This broad field connects anatomy and physiology to ecology, giving us a full picture of animal life from structure to survival.

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Curriculum in organismal and conservation biology department of biology courses offered

Curriculum in organismal and conservation biology:
Course Title Course Number Credit Hour(s)
Biological Concepts: Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, and Diversity 115 4
Biological Concepts: Structure, Function, Cellular, and Molecular Biology 116 4
Evolution of Plant Biodiversity: Genes to Biosphere 204 3
Dendrology 205 4
Evolutionary Biology 206 3
Fundamentals of Ecology 209 3
Plant Taxonomy 302 4
Vertebrate Zoology 311 4
Invertebrate Zoology 312 4
Plant and Fungal Diversity 314 4
Directed Research 320 1-3
Environmental Education: Focus on Natural History 351 3
Primate Biology and Behavior 395 3
Ichthyology 407 4
Ornithology 408 4
Herpetology 409 4
Mammalogy 410 4
General Entomology 411 4
Independent Research (Capstone) 419.R 3
Global Plant Diversity 431 3
Conservation Education and Community Engagement 451 3
Animal Physiological Ecology 453 2
Conservation Biology 467 3
Socioecology of Primates 497 3

Seniors may apply to enroll in 600-level courses for undergraduate credit. Seniors may also apply to enroll in 500- and 600-level courses for graduate credit. You must have at least 112 semester hours of credit, a 2.75 GPA overall, and a 3.0 GPA in the major.

Physiology and Neuroscience

Physiology and neuroscience explore how the body's systems — especially the brain and nervous system — work together to control movement, sensation, and thought. This research is foundational to understanding and treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, chronic pain, and mental health disorders.

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Plant Biology/Botany

Plant biology studies how plants grow, reproduce, respond to their environment, and produce food and oxygen that sustain life on Earth. This research is essential for improving crop yields, developing plant-based medicines, and addressing food security in a changing climate.

Curriculum in plant sciences department of biology courses offered

Curriculum in plant sciences:
Course Title Course Number Credit Hour(s)
Biological Concepts: Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, and Diversity 115 4
Biological Concepts: Structure, Function, Cellular, and Molecular Biology 116 4
Evolution: Just a Theory? 126 3
Plants Humanity and the Environment 131 3
Field Botany 155 3
Ecology of North America 176 3
Plant Biology 191 4
Introduction to Cell Biology 203 3
Evolution of Plant Biodiversity: Genes to Biosphere 204 4
Dendrology 205 4
Fundamentals of Ecology 209 3
Plant Propagation 221 4
Botanical Principles in Landscape Gardening 241 3
Viticulture and Enology 244 3
Introduction to Food Systems (IES) 278 3
Herpetology 409 4
Flora of the Bahamas Study Abroad 299 6
General Entomology 411 4
Plant Taxonomy 302 4
Basic Horticulture 306 3
Plant Diversity 314 4
Directed Research 320 1-3
Internship 340 1-20
Genetics 342 3
Plant Anatomy 402 3
Population Genetics 422 3
Environmental Plant Physiology 425 4
Global Plant Diversity 431 3
Field Ecology 433 3
Soil Ecology and Sustainable Use 438 3
Bioinformatics Computing Skills 466 3
Bioinformatics Principles 485 3

Seniors may apply to enroll in 600-level courses for undergraduate credit. Seniors may also apply to enroll in 500- and 600-level course for graduate credit if they have at least 112 semester hours of credit, a 2.75 GPA overall, and a 3.0 GPA in the major.

Science Education

Science education research examines how people learn scientific concepts and what teaching strategies best support students at all levels. The goal is to make science more accessible, engaging, and equitable so that more people can participate in and benefit from scientific knowledge.