Department of Biology

Associate Professor: Boyle, Department Chair
Professors: Brant, Saghatelyan
Associate Professor: Sharp
Assistant Professor: Blackwell, Gangwar, Kumar

The Department of Biology offers majors focusing on the study of life. Each program offered consists of biology coursework and supporting courses from chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Majors offered are the BS in Biology, BS in Biomedical Science, BS in Environmental Science and BS in Life Science. Though the majors differ in their focus and content, each supports the mission and goals for the department.

Additionally, the department contributes to the general education of McMurry students and provides service courses for other programs. In these courses, the Department of Biology demonstrates its commitment to high quality life science instruction for all students.

Department of Biology Mission and Goals:

The Mission and Goals of the Department of Biology are to produce graduates who:

understand fundamental biological principles and processes;
possess the technical and communication skills needed for successful careers;
are equipped through experiences for lives of leadership and success.

The department’s Mission and Goals fully support and agree with the Mission and Institutional Goals of McMurry University as listed below.

Students acquire an education shaped by Christian values*;
Students are equipped for successful careers and post-graduate education;
Students acquire an enthusiasm for lifelong learning through expanded intellectual and cultural experiences.

*Christian values are reflected in the manner in which courses are taught, in support of the McMurry Mission Statement where it is stated that “…truth, in a universe created by God, is nothing to fear. We honor the Creator when we use our minds for their intended purpose of learning in ways unhindered by prejudice or ignorance.”

The Department of Biology also supports McMurry’s institutional goal that “The institution will engage in an ongoing pursuit of excellence in curricula, programs, and policies.” The Department engages in ongoing efforts to make sure its students are learning and that its programs are performing to the highest standards of excellence by a) conducting rigorous, annual assessments of student learning and b) implementing evidence-based improvements to its programs when needed. All faculty in the department contribute to these efforts for the benefit of its students and majors.

Programs of the Department of Biology

Bachelor of Science in Biology Degree

The B.S. in Biology major is the field-based, ecologically-focused degree that provides the knowledge and skills for understanding the diverse world of wildlife and nature for students seeking environmentally and ecologically focused careers, pursuit of training in veterinary medicine, or further education in a life science field. The focus is on animals, plants, ecology, and environment, with an emphasis on field study skills. All graduates complete an internship or conduct original research as part of their education.

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science Degree
The B.S. in Biomedical Science degree provides a deep and practical knowledge of contemporary biology for students interested in careers as researchers, health professionals, science educators, microbiologists, geneticists, and forensic scientists. The focus is on microbes, molecular biology, and genetics. The curriculum is research-rich and skills-laden. All graduates complete an internship or conduct original research as part of their education.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences Degree
The B.S. in Environmental Science degree provides practical knowledge and marketable skills for students interested in the broader view of the environment. The focus is on biology, geology, and chemistry of ecosystems and the environment, and how man’s activity can influence the health of our planet. All graduates complete an internship or conduct original research as a part of their education.

Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences Degree
The B.S. in Life Sciences degree provides a broad exposure to life in all its forms for students with an interest in all facets of biology. The curriculum features strong human, animal, plant, microbe, molecular, genetic, physiology, and ecology components. This is the preferred degree for future biology teachers when obtained in conjunction with a minor in Curriculum & Instruction. All graduates complete an internship or conduct original research as part of their education.

Bachelor of Science in Sustainability and Renewable Resources
This degree program combines aspects of traditional sciences, environmental science, social science, economics, and cultural components to provide a truly interdisciplinary experience for students. This degree will expose students to processes lead to environmental degradation and strategies that can lead to a more sustainable future. This degree requires a minor or 32 hours of approved university electives. The department also offers a minor for non-majors.

Special Programs and Opportunities:

Pi Beta Chapter of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society. The purposes of this organization are to promote scholarship, biological research, and dissemination of scientific knowledge.

Departmental Honors. Please see the description of the Honors Program under the Special Program section earlier in the catalog.

Departmental Awards. Each spring, awards are presented to the outstanding freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior Biology , Biomedical Science, Environmental Science and Life Sciences majors.

Beasley and Bloomer Research Stipends. Two special programs provide financial support to undergraduate students doing research at McMurry. The Clark Beasley Summer Research stipend is a competitive award providing funding for Biology, Biomedical Science, Environmental Science and Life Sciences students to participate in summer research with a Biology faculty member. The Charles and Lisa Bloomer Research Stipend is a competitive award providing funding for any major from the School of Natural and Computational Sciences to support undergraduate research with a sponsoring faculty member during the fall/spring academic year. Both programs are administered by the Science and Mathematics Advisory Board.

Undergraduate Research. Biology, Biomedical Science, Environmental Science and Life Sciences majors often participate in research within their normal courses. Additional involvement in research is available for students wanting to join the ongoing work of faculty. Summer research is also encouraged either at McMurry or other institutions. All majors must fulfill a senior capstone project requirement, which typically consists of research conducted under the supervision of a faculty member.

New to McMurry is the concept of Research Teams, which are composed 4-5 students working with a faculty member on a project of discovery. Expectations are the student will grow in knowledge and skills and confidence as they continue for multiple semesters on the Team. This experience provides a deep dive into a focused area of life science as a contrast to the broad general education common in an undergraduate degree. The result is a balanced understanding of the breadth and depth of the discipline.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Courses

Biomedical Science

Biology

Environmental Science

ENVR 4350 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Geoscience

Prep for Health Professions

Sustainability