Biologists focus on a broad spectrum of questions related to living organisms and life processes. They investigate the physical and chemical bases of life, the structure, and function of organisms and their parts, the interaction between organisms and their environments, and the evolution of organisms. The biology major at SOU not only offers a thorough introduction to the principal areas of biology, it also gives students the freedom to specialize their academic journeys.
The bachelor’s degree in biology prepares students for employment in a diverse array of fields related to the life sciences. It provides excellent training for graduate and professional programs, paving the way to degrees in such areas as agriculture, dentistry, environmental science, forestry, medical technology, medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, and wildlife biology.
At SOU, all courses and labs for biology majors are taught by fully accredited faculty members, in contrast to some schools that rely heavily on teaching assistants. As a biology major, you will have the opportunity to interact with all faculty members. Students commonly remark that SOU faculty are readily accessible and approachable.
We also make all of our research facilities available to undergraduates, including the new state-of-the-art Biotechnology Center, the second-largest insect collection in Oregon, a four-room greenhouse, an herbarium, a Vertebrate Natural History Museum, and a cadaver lab. Many of our faculty also involve undergraduates in field research in ecology and environmental science.
Because upper division courses in biology build on prerequisites, students should seek advising as soon as they consider majoring in biology. Early advising is especially critical for those planning to progress to graduate or professional schools. Contact the Biology department for an advisor assignment.
Majoring in Biology at SOU can take you where you want to go, whether your interests are in environmental biology, preparation for health professions, or biotechnology.
Graduates of our program go on to careers ranging from land and resource management to teaching, from laboratory work to agriculture, and from research to medical, dental, veterinary, and physician’s assistant schools. We emphasize both field work and modern molecular techniques to provide a strong biological science background which will serve you well whatever career path you choose.
The Klamath/Siskiyou bioregion surrounding Southern Oregon University is an inspiring learning environment for students of Biology. Field excursions take place in the heart of some of the most diverse terrain accessible from any university in the United States. Coastal rainforest, tide pools, alpine meadows, evergreen forests, wild rivers, and uninterrupted desert views are all within a day’s drive of campus. Biology professors bring their classes into the heart of these ecosystems and provide tailored learning experiences for students. The Biology department offers opportunities for field research and collaborative internships with land management agencies.
The Biology department has strengths in zoology, botany, and ecology, which provide a strong basis future research undertakings and careers in conservation and natural resource management.
We have remarkable facilities for Biology field studies including a greenhouse, herbarium, and extensive museum-quality collections of vertebrates and invertebrates.
SOU’s excellent pre-Medicine program draws heavily from our strength in the sciences. Our students are very competitive for medical school admission. The Biology department offers to advise in all areas of medicine and preparation for diverse health care professional schools. Students who complete this program of study will earn a B.S. in Biology and be poised to gain entrance to post-graduate schools that train doctors and other health care professionals.
The Biology department has significant strengths in cellular and molecular biology for students who are considering careers in research, biotechnology, and advanced laboratory science. Students interested in biotechnology have the opportunity to do research in our Biotechnology Center with professors who have active research programs that involve DNA analysis, protein purification, and other tools of biotechnology.
Student researchers have the opportunities to present at national meetings and even to publish their work, providing them significant advantages in applying for graduate and professional schools.
The SOU Biology Department provides excellent, unified, and integrated education to prepare students for a life of continued learning and informed participation in a democratic society, as well as for careers in life science, health professions, and environmental education. We emphasize environmental questions, taking advantage of our unique biogeographic setting, and integrate up-to-date field Biology with laboratory work using molecular and biochemical techniques through coursework and undergraduate research. In keeping with the increasing integration of biological science, the Department emphasizes the unity of life processes at all levels of organization, from molecules and cells, to whole organisms, to ecological systems and evolutionary lineages. The Department strongly supports Environmental Studies, Nursing, science teacher preparation, other science majors, general education, and nonscience majors.
The biology department is committed to broadening its recognition for excellence in teaching, research, and service in our region and beyond. We will maintain a high quality and diverse curriculum and expand both our undergraduate program and our distinctive masters program in environmental education. We will enhance student learning through improvement of existing facilities and by establishing a field station, an arboretum, and a new science building. We will continue to integrate modern environmental biology with molecular techniques to meet the scientific challenges our students and society will face in the future. We will increase our integration with the environmental studies program and continue to seek partnerships with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and businesses in our region.
Literacy (language, critical thought, and communication):
A broad vocabulary in biology together with an effective ability to communicate through writing, speech and visuals underscores scientific literacy. Therefore, students will be able to
Content Knowledge and Skills:
Biology majors will understand the foundational principles of biology, understand the perspective of three approaches to the study of biology, and be proficient in the techniques and practical applications of modern field and laboratory biology.
Process:
Biology Majors will be able to conduct scientific studies of biological systems and present their findings in scientific formats. Students will demonstrate their competence in the following ways:
Southern Oregon University has partnered with the Klamath Inventory & Monitoring Network of the National Park Service since 2002 to help monitor and inventory the ecosystems of Crater Lake National Park, Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve, Redwood National and State Parks, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. These parklands encompass and protect some of the most pristine, inspiring, and ecologically significant natural areas in the region, ranging from coastal environments containing such varied resources as tidepools and the world’s tallest trees, to open sagebrush-steppe and recent lava flows in the Great Basin Desert. In between these cool and wet, and hot and dry extremes are volcanic high mountain environments containing verdant meadows and spectacular lakes, including North America’s deepest and clearest: world-renowned Crater Lake.
The program offers internships, seasonal employment opportunities, and professional guidance to students interested in conservation management. Klamath Network Staff is involved in a variety of campus activities in support of teaching and research. The Program Manager is Alice Chung-MacCoubrey (541.552.8575). The Klamath Network is located on campus at 1383 Oregon Street.
SOU Biology Club Mission:
To promote knowledge of the biological sciences and to provide fellowship among students of all disciplines. New members are encouraged to join!
Visit the SOU Biology Club Facebook page or Website.
SOU Biology Program
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6344
– Questions About Biology? –