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• 4-Year Plan Biology Secondary Education (LAS) for 2019-2020
• 4-Year Plan Biology Secondary Education (AgLS) for 2019-2020

A person’s college years can be one of the most exciting chapters in a life story, and a major reason for that is the sheer quantity of opportunities available to take advantage of.  The Biology Program encourages students to actively engage with campus activities beyond the classroom to learn new skills, make connections, and have fun!    

Learning Communities

For more than twenty years, the Biology Program has offered a learning community to engage incoming first-year students with our major and assist with college adjustment. Learn more about our Biology Education Success Team (BEST).

Students can be part of more than one learning community, and these communities may also be of interest to Biology majors:

• Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE)
• BOLD Learning Community 

Student Organizations

Iowa State University is home to hundreds of student organizations which provide opportunities for social engagement, professional development, and leadership experiences.  Students in the Biology Program can participate in our Biological Sciences Club to network with other Biology majors.  Other clubs of interest to many of our students include various pre-professional clubs (e.g., Pre-Medical Professions Club, Pre-Pharmacy Club, Pre-Veterinary Club), additional biology-related academic clubs (e.g., Genetics Club, Iowa State Environmental Science Club, Psychology Club), and various recreation clubs (e.g., Fishing Club, Martial Arts Club).

Field Trip Courses and Study Abroad

Field trip courses offered by the Biology Program provide a unique opportunity for students to learn about biology through hands-on experience.  These experiences may be within North America (BIOL 393) or international (BIOL 394), and count directly towards biology degree requirements as advanced coursework. We currently offer a couple trips in marine biology, an exploration of the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, and trips to Valencia, Spain. More information on our field trip courses and study abroad.

Internships

Biology students are encouraged to seek out and participate in internships that relate to their aspirations as budding biological scientists.  The Biology Program offers advanced biology credit for students who have such an experience and arrange a BIOL 494 course with a faculty or staff member.  More information about the BIOL 494 can be found here.  

Finding an internship can be a challenge, but there are several resources available to help.  Students can always talk with their advisor about opportunities they are aware of.  The following resources for internship hunting are suggested as well:

Research

As a major research university, there are plenty of opportunities for students to engage in research during their undergraduate studies. Learn more about research opportunities in biology at Iowa State. 

Teaching

Being a skilled communicator is among the most employable qualities, and teaching experiences help cultivate such skills.  More information about teaching opportunities.

Scholarships

Many scholarships are available to assist students in paying for college. Scholarships are available for new incoming freshman and transfer students, as well as currently enrolled or continuing students.  Learn more about scholarship opportunities.

University Honors Program

Biology students with outstanding academic records may want to consider applying for the Honors Program if they are not already participants.  Honors students get to register for classes earlier, enroll in honors sections of courses, have a higher credit limit each semester, and have access to additional opportunities within the program.  Check out the Honors Program website for more information.  

The Importance of Teaching in a Program of Study

For students interested in becoming teachers, the importance of having a teaching experience is obvious, but what about those interested in other vocations?  No matter what vocation a student pursues, odds are at some point they will need to explain something to someone else.  For example, doctors teach patients about their health conditions, and lab supervisors teach technicians in particular techniques.  Teaching is part of our everyday lives and an essential part of good communication skills.  Having practice explaining technical information is especially important in the sciences, and helps build a more competitive portfolio for potential employers and professional schools.  Teaching experiences with biology faculty and staff at Iowa State can count directly towards a student’s degree requirements in Biology.

Getting Involved in Teaching

There are many opportunities to assist with lectures and labs at Iowa State, both in the Biology Program and in others.  Sometimes, students are asked to serve as teaching assistants for courses they have taken previously and excelled in.  Students can also take the initiative and ask faculty and staff if they can be of service, with help and guidance from their academic advisor.  Biology Program faculty or staff in the EEOB & GDCB departments are good places to start, but a biology-related teaching experience can be found in several other departments.  Usually a student needs to have taken the course or lab they wish to be a teacher assistant for, but equivalent experience may also be acceptable.  

Teaching though the Academic Success Center

In addition to working directly with biology faculty and staff, students may also choose to have a teaching experience coordinated by the Academic Success Center.  These paid positions have additional requirements for qualifications and a more formal application process.  Possible teaching experiences include becoming a supplemental instruction leader,  where students lead review sessions in conjunction with a lecture section.  Students can also become a tutor, where students help individuals or small groups understand course content.  Biology students take many courses that have SI and also take courses with a high demand for tutors, so there are ample opportunities to assist with other student’s learning.  

Advanced Biology Credit for Teaching Experiences

Biology-related research experiences with Iowa State faculty can count directly towards Biology degree requirements.  To do so, students set up a BIOL 491 course.  More information about setting up a BIOL 491. 

Students in the Biology Program are encouraged to include a teaching experience as part of their program of study.  Whether in a laboratory or lecture setting, undergraduate teaching can provide a valuable review opportunity for students planning to take professional exams (e.g., the MCAT or GRE) and is an excellent practical experience for students planning to attend graduate school, professional school, or careers in education.  Participating in such an opportunity counts as an advanced biology credit when a BIOL 491 is arranged in conjunction with the experience.

In order to arrange a BIOL 491, students must already have credit for the course they wish to assist with, or have appropriate prior experience.  The course instructor must approve the BIOL 491, and will then serve as the BIOL 491 instructor and assign appropriate duties to the student.  Students in the Biology Program typically assist with courses taught by faculty members in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) or the Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology (GDCB).  Students may wish to consult with their academic advisor or Biology Student Services staff for assistance in identifying a BIOL 491 instructor.    

Requirements

Undergraduate teaching experiences can be in a lecture or a laboratory setting.  In addition to attending all scheduled class meetings, a BIOL 491 student should expect to spend 2 hours per week (for each credit) performing other duties associated with the undergraduate teaching experience.  Duties may include working directly with students, record keeping, laboratory or lecture preparation, assistance in managing in-class activities, and more.  BIOL 491 courses are taken for 1 to 2 credits.   The BIOL 491 course is repeatable, but only 2 credits may be applied as advanced biology coursework*, and no more than 9 may be applied towards graduation.  

A BIOL 491 student with access to student records is required by the University to sign a confidentiality agreement.  It is the responsibility of the BIOL 491 instructor to ensure that this confidentiality agreement is completed prior to student involvement in the course.

* A maximum of 7 credits total from BIOL 480, BIOL 481, BIOL 490, BIOL 491, BIOL 494, and BIOL 499 can be applied towards advanced biology course requirements

Activities

In addition to performing the duties described above, a BIOL 491 student must write a short paper reflecting on what was learned or must keep a teaching experience journal.  The written product is submitted to the BIOL 491 instructor at the end of the semester.

Registration and Deadlines

Students must register for BIOL 491 credit at or before the beginning of the semester of the teaching experience.  The course can only be taken on a satisfactory-fail basis.  A BIOL 491 contract must be completed and turned in to the Biology Student Services Office (103 Bessey Hall).  As part of this contract, the format of the written product and deadlines for submission are set by the BIOL 491 instructor, in consultation with the student.  Once the contract is turned into the Biology Student Services Office, copies are sent to the student and instructor, and the original will be kept on file in the Student Services Office. 

BIOL 491 Contract Form  (PDF)