Personnel
Chair: Keith Snyder
Faculty: Joyce Azevedo, Randy Bishop, Aaron Corbit, Paolo Dias, Ann Foster, Noemi Gonzalez, David Nelsen, Keith Snyder, Ben Thornton, Tim Trott
Research Professor of Origins: Lucinda Hill
Adjunct Faculty: Richard Brown, Belen Geach, Rick Norskov, Jillian Zollinger
Program Coordinators:
- Biology, B.A. Tim Trott
- Biology, Research Emphasis, B.S. Ben Thornton
- Biology, Biomedical Emphasis, B.S. Ann Foster
- Biology, Teacher Certification, B.A. Aaron Corbit
- Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. Noemi Gonzalez
About
The study of Biology constitutes one of the most exciting and important fields of scientific investigation, since it provides a better understanding of ourselves and the living things around us. Even the casual observer of Biology who pauses long enough to take a course may derive a lifetime of pleasure and fulfillment from a hobby such as bird watching, shell collecting, or wild flower photography.
Mission Statement
The Biology Department exists as an integral part of Southern Adventist University with its mission to provide a quality Seventh-day Adventist Christian undergraduate education, emphasizing the balanced development of the spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social dimensions of men and women. Within the framework of a Christian understanding of the origin and workings of biological systems, the department seeks to provide opportunities for its academic and local communities to understand the value, process and limitations of scientific inquiry as well as to develop an awareness and understanding of the biological world and our responsibility to it. Its curricula are designed to provide students with high quality preparation for careers in the biological and biomedical professions.
Assessment
In order to help evaluate the department's teaching effectiveness and the academic achievements of its graduates, all seniors are required to take the ETS Major Field Achievement Test in Biology. The results of these exams are used by the department staff to evaluate class offerings as well as program requirements.
Additional Information
The Biology Major
A major in Biology is an excellent starting point for numerous careers which are both rewarding and challenging. With a degree in Biology, one may pursue graduate study leading to research in the basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, ecology, microbiology, cytology, etc.), teaching at the college or graduate level, or employment in industry or government. A biology degree is also the degree of choice in preparation for high-school teaching, medicine, dentistry, optometry, careers in wildlife, forestry or zoo management, health education, public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, and environmental health, to name a few.
The Biology Department makes available a number of experiences, both curricular and extracurricular, to enrich its students' academic programs. The department offers courses which include field experiences in Indonesia, Canada, Smoky Mountains, and the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The Tennessee Aquarium in nearby Chattanooga provides additional learning resources. The department is also affiliated with Walla Walla University's Rosario Beach Biological Field Station (see Student Life and Services).
Extracurricular opportunities include membership in the Beta Beta Beta national biological honor society, a yearly lecture series on natural history and research topics, as well as premedical and predental preceptorship programs (see Medicine/Dentistry).
Rosario Beach Marine Biological Field Station
The Rosario Beach Marine Station is a teaching and research facility operated by Walla Walla University in affiliation with Southern Adventist University and other Adventist colleges. Located seven miles south of Anacortes, Washington, the station occupies 40 acres of beach and timberland. In addition to some of the biology courses listed in this Catalog, classes taught for five quarter credits through WWU are equivalent to 3.3 semester hours. For current class offerings, see rosario.wallawalla.edu.
Associated Programs
Program Specific Info
Note: Students may be exempt from taking BIOL 152 if they have an Advanced Placement grade of "5" and a grade of "B" or better in BIOL 151.
Requirements
REQUIRED CORE COURSES (45 Total Credits) - Course(s):
- Select 1 course(s):
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: An additional course from any of the Biology Elective Areas above.
EMPHASIS/CONCENTRATION (19 - 20 Total Credits) - Select one (1) Emphasis/Concentration.
- Complete at least 19-20 credits in this area
GENERAL EDUCATION (42 Total Credits) - General Education requirements
- Minimum 42 credits
ELECTIVES TO = 124 (18 - 17 Total Credits) - Complete at least 18-17 credits in this area
Grand Total Credits: 124
Biomedical Emphasis
Catalog 2021 — Indefinite
REQUIRED COGNATES (20 Total Credits) - Course(s):
- *Minimum grade of C- required for all cognates in this program.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (0 Total Credits) - ACCT 221 - Principles of Accounting (3)
- MGNT 334 - Principles of Management (3)
- PSYC 122 - General Psychology (3)
- BIOL 297 - Research in Biology (1-2) OR BIOL 476 - Research in Biology (1-2)
Grand Total Credits: 20
Research Emphasis
Catalog 2021 — Indefinite
REQUIRED COGNATES (19 - 20 Total Credits) - Course(s):
- *Minimum grade of C- required for all cognates in this program.
Grand Total Credits: 19 - 20
Sample Degree Plan
Grand Total Credits: 124
Requirements
BA BIOLOGY CORE (42 Total Credits) - Course(s):
- Select 1 course(s):
Grand Total Credits: 42
Biology (No Emphasis) Emphasis
Catalog 2024 — Indefinite
REQUIRED CORE COURSES (42 Total Credits) - Complete the B.A. Biology Core requirements.
- Minimum 42 credits
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (0 Total Credits) - CHEM 311 - Organic Chemistry (4)
- CHEM 312 - Organic Chemistry (4)
- CHEM 361 - Biochemistry I (4)
- MATH 125 - Precalculus Algebra (4)
- PHYS 211 - General Physics I (IN-7) (3)
- PHYS 212 - General Physics II (3)
- PHYS 213 - General Physics Laboratory I (IN-7) (1)
- PHYS 214 - General Physics Laboratory II (1)
MINOR (10 - 18 Total Credits) - If the Chemistry minor is selected, 10 additional credits are required. Other minors require at least 18 credits.
- Complete at least 10-18 credits in this area
GENERAL EDUCATION (42 Total Credits) - Minimum 42 credits
- General Education requirements
FOREIGN LANGUAGE (0 - 6 Total Credits) - Complete at least 0-6 credits in this area
(Elementary Foreign Language or two years of Foreign Language in high school)
ELECTIVES TO = 124 (30 - 16 Total Credits) - Complete at least 30-16 credits in this area
Grand Total Credits: 124
Biology, Teaching Licensure, 6-12 Emphasis
Catalog 2024 — Indefinite
About
Secondary certification in Biology requires a baccalaureate degree consisting of 34 credits of specified biology courses, specified cognates, completion of professional education courses, and SDA certification courses for licensure.
The student must apply for Initial Admission to the Teacher Education Program (usually by the end of the sophomore year) after completing all requirements as outlined under ADMISSION PROCEDURES in the School of Education and Psychology section of the Catalog. Initial admission is required before the student can enroll in upper division education courses.
The student must also complete an application and all other requirements for Admission to Student Teaching. Prior to the professional semester, the student must take and pass the PRAXIS II licensure exam-both the appropriate section of the Principles of Learning and Teaching, and the particular specialty test(s) for the licensure area(s).
REQUIRED CORE COURSES (42 Total Credits) - Complete the B.A. Biology Core requirements.
- Minimum 42 credits
REQUIRED COGNATES (6 Total Credits) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (0 Total Credits) - CHEM 311 - Organic Chemistry (4)
- CHEM 312 - Organic Chemistry (4)
GENERAL EDUCATION (27 Total Credits) - Minimum 27 credits
- General Education requirements
FOREIGN LANGUAGE (0 - 6 Total Credits) - Complete at least 0-6 credits in this area
(Elementary Foreign Language or two years of Foreign Language in high school)
TEACHER LICENSURE (50 Total Credits) Grand Total Credits: 125 - 131
Sample Degree Plan
YEAR 1 - NOTE: A minor is required for this program. The Chemistry minor is highly recommended. If the Chemistry minor is selected, 10 additional credits are required. Other minors require at least 18 credits.
- NOTE: If foreign language has not been taken in high school, it must be taken in a two-semester sequence for a total of 6 required semester hours.
FALL - Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
WINTER - Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from R-1) Spiritual Development
- Select 3 credits from IN-10) Aesthetic Analysis
YEAR 2 - NOTE: One elective course must be chosen from each biology elective area: Biological Systems, Organismal Biology, and Clinical Sciences. Electives should be chosen in consultation with your academic advisor.
FALL - Course(s):
- Select 1 credits from P 1-b) Physical Activity
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: Elementary Foreign Language or general elective course
WINTER - Course(s): CHEM152 - General Chemistry (4)
- Select 3 credits from R-2) Seventh-day Adventist Teachings
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: Elementary Foreign Language or general elective course
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
- Complete 1 of the following:
YEAR 3 FALL - Select 3 credits from R-3) Biblical Studies
- Select 3 credits from IN-8) Human Development
- Select 1 credits from P 1-b) Physical Activity
- Select 4 credits from the following types of courses: Minor courses (CHEM 311 recommended as part of the Chemistry minor)
- Select 4 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses (PHYS 211 & 213 recommended)
WINTER - Course(s): BIOL412 - Cell and Molecular Biology (4)
- Select 3 credits from IN-6) Historical Perspectives
- Select 4 credits from the following types of courses: Minor courses (CHEM 312 recommended as part of the Chemistry minor)
- Select 4 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses (PHYS 212 & 214 recommended)
YEAR 4 - NOTE: One elective course must be chosen from each biology elective area: Biological Systems, Organismal Biology, and Clinical Sciences. Electives should be chosen in consultation with your academic advisor.
- NOTE: If BIOL 321 Field Ecology is chosen, it must be completed during the Summer term.
FALL - Course(s): BIOL424 - Issues of Natural Science and Religion (W) (3)
- Select 1 course(s):
- Select 4 credits from the following types of courses: Minor courses (CHEM 361 recommended as part of the Chemistry minor)
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: Upper-division general elective courses (W)
- Complete 1 of the following:
WINTER - Course(s): PEAC425 - Fit for Hire (P-1c) (1)
- Select 3 credits from IN-9) Stewardship, Business and Economics
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: R-4) Religion elective, upper-division (W)
- Select 5 credits from the following types of courses: Upper-division general elective courses
- Complete 1 of the following:
Grand Total Credits: 42
Requirements
REQUIRED COURSES (38 Total Credits) - Course(s):
- Select BIOL (Biology) Electives (3 credits)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (0 Total Credits) - • ACCT 221 Principles of Accounting I
- • BUAD 126 Introduction to Business (IN-9)
GENERAL EDUCATION (18 Total Credits) - Minimum 18 credits
- General Education requirements
ELECTIVES (8 Total Credits) Grand Total Credits: 64
Sample Degree Plan
YEAR 1 FALL - Course(s):
- (Precalculus Algebra waived if taken in high school with a grade of B or better.)
- Select 1 credits from the following types of courses: Elective
- (COMM 135 is a General education course for a 4-year degree.)
WINTER - Course(s):
- (MATH 215 and ENGL 102 are General education course for a 4-year degree.)
- Select 3 credits from R-1) Spiritual Development
REQUIRED COURSES FALL - Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: R2 or R3 Religion
- Select 1 credits from the following types of courses: Elective
WINTER - Course(s): CHEM152 - General Chemistry (4)
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: Biology Elective
- Select 3 credits from IN-6) Historical Perspectives
- Select 6 credits from the following types of courses: Electives
(Highly suggested ACCT 103 and BUAD 126)
Grand Total Credits: 64
Requirements
- Course(s):
- Select BIOL (Biology) Electives (4 credits)
- Select BIOL (Biology) Electives from courses numbered 300 - 499 (6 credits)
- *BIOL 101, BIOL 102, BIOL 103, and BIOL 225 cannot be applied to a biology minor.
Grand Total Credits: 18
Sample Degree Plan
Grand Total Credits: 18