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 and mentored research experiences to illustrate the tools of the trade, to reinforce concepts, and to apply problem-solving techniques. The learning goals for students are to be able to: think critically about important biological issues of national and international concern; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and solve problems through the application of quantitative reasoning.