News

Biology Help Room Fall 2017

Our peer mentors are ready and able to assist students taking BIOL 211+L and BIOL 212+L during the Fall 2017 semester, as well as with other introductory courses such as chemistry.

Interested in Research?

A new 1 credit course is available at Iowa State for students interested in research.

Ecology and Evolution Literature Seminar

This coming Fall 2017 a new seminar (BIOL 495) will be offered.  The course will be structured like a journal club and involve weekly meetings with discussions led by classmates on the topics of ecology and evolutionary biology.

New Minor in Pharmacy and Toxicology

The Faculty Senate recently approved the addition of a new minor: Pharmacology and Toxicology.  This minor will be overseen by the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology (BMS) and is especially appropriate for students considering post-graduate professional programs such as human medicine or vetrinary medicine.  Courses will focus on the effects of drugs and toxins on both animal and environmental systems.  The minor will require completion of 15 credits.

New Biological Sciences Club Facebook Page Launched

The Biological Sciences Club (BSC) has launched a more accessible Facebook page.

Sensory Biology (BIOL 495)

Dr. Jean Serb will be offering her BIOL 495 seminar "Sensory Biology" for Spring 2017.  This course will explore how various organisms sense and navigate their environments.

New Experimental Course - Environmental Biogeochemistry

Interested in both biology and earth sciences?  A new experimental course called Environmental Biogeochemistry will explore both of these topics.  This course will be co-taught by Professors Steven Hall and Betsy Swanner.  Topics covered include biological feedbacks to climate change, the importance of soil microbes, minerals that protect water quality, and environmental forensics using stable isotopes.  

Revamped Topics in Cell Biology (BIOL 428)

The BIOL 428 course hasn't been offered in recent years, and we're excited to announce that this course will be offered Fall 2016!  It will introduce students to multidisciplinary methods used to investigate cell biology and emphasize the dynamic organization and regulation of cellular processes.

New Experimental Course - Biology of Plants

Calling all aspiring botanists!  The Biology Program is offering a new experimental course in introductory plant biology (BIOL 357X) this coming Fall of 2016.  Taught by Professor Robert Wallace, this course will examine fundamental aspects of plant biology to enable students to get a broad appreciation of the structures, functions, diversity, and environmental roles of plants.  

Undergraduate Research Seminar (BIOL 495)

A new, second-half semester course is being offered this Spring 2016 for students interested in doing research in the biological sciences.  Note that this course is 1 credit, not a half a credit as listed in the posting.

49th Skunk River Navy

Learn about the Biology Program's most recent service-learning event! Students, staff, faculty, B.E.S.T. learning community peer mentors, TA's and returning SRN veterans banded together to form the 49th Skunk River Navy (SRN) for Operation: Long Run, a four mile local river clean-up and biodiversity adventure.

48th Skunk River Navy

How to describe the Skunk River Navy?  It is something that must be experienced.  A great deal of life is that way - things must be experienced to be truly known and understood - and the Skunk River Navy is definitely an experience.  Through the shared challenges of Operation: Obstacle Course, the volunteers of the SRN bonded.  Together, we survived and conquered.  All new volunteers are now First Class Riverpersons of the SRN.  Congratulations, to all of you!