Biology

The biology department seeks to inspire and enable students to grow in their scientific understanding. Our courses and curriculum present a dynamic approach to scientific investigation: posing problems for study, proposing and probing hypotheses, and persuading peers. Using evolution as the unifying theme of biology, we emphasize current biological methods and rigorous conceptual analyses at all scales of organization, from molecules to cells to organisms to ecological communities. We encourage biology majors to interact extensively with professors and with each other, and we use a variety of learning activities to illustrate the tools of the trade, to reinforce concepts, and to apply problem-solving techniques. We prepare our students to think critically about important biological issues and to apply their informed analyses as citizens and professionals.

Professor Marion Fass reviewed Spillover: Animal Infections and the next Human Pandemic by David Quammen in a recent issue of JMBE: Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, Volume 14, Issue 1.  The review is available from JMBE.

How to Teach Quantitative Literacy, an article about the Beloit Biometrics  course and Professor Ken Yasukawa appeared in the Spring 2013 issue of the Beloit College Magazine.

Professor Marion Fass received the 2012 William E. Bennett Award for Extraordinary Contributions to Citizen Science from the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement.  

Two groups of Beloit College Physiology students won the American Physiological Society's 2011 Phantastic Physiology Voyage. "Form Follows Function" video contest:

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