Biology at Adams State University

Biology is a science that examines the origin, diversity, structure, and internal processes of living organisms. Because of the breadth of this science, biologists tend to specialize in areas of specific interest or at a particular level of biological organization. This diversity is reflected in the training of the faculty and the course offerings in the Department of Biology, and provides students with a variety of study and career choices in biology.

Bachelor of Science

with areas of emphasis in

  • Cellular and Molecular
  • Organismal
  • Wildlife

Bachelor of Arts

with areas of emphasis in

  • Liberal Arts
  • Science Education

Pre-Health Programs

The Pre-Health Programs at Adams State University provide students the opportunity to explore their interests in a small college environment.  These programs will prepare students for postgraduate health programs in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant or physical therapy.

Related Programs 

Biology Program Highlight

Herbarium

An herbarium is a collection of plant specimens that are carefully preserved and mounted on sheets of paper labeled with important information such as scientific nomenclature, description, date and location collected. Herbaria can be used to study plant taxonomy, geographic distributions and how they may change over time, and in some cases, genetic data can be generated from herbarium specimens. The Adams State Herbarium houses 8,000 specimens of mainly plants collected in Colorado and northern New Mexico. For more information or to request access to the collection, please contact Kristy L. Duran, Ph.D.

 

Biology Program Outcomes

93%
Graduates who apply get accepted into Graduate school
84%
Graduates who apply get accepted into Medical school

The Biology curriculum at Adams State is focused on the progressive development of students both as biologists and, more generally, as scholars. During the first two years, the curriculum is highly structured beginning with the establishment of a general foundation in biology and chemistry in the first year and continuing with more rigorous and sophisticated coverage in the Intermediate Block courses taken during the second year.

Health Professions Advisory Committee

Health Professions Advisory Committee offers services to students preparing to apply to health-related programs.

Pre-Medicine
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Medicine
Medical Technology
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Physician’s Assistant
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Careers in Biology

Prepare for careers in private industry, natural resource management, or prepare to continue your education in graduate programs or professional schools.

Natural Resource Management
Research
Medicine
Dentistry
Physician’s assistant
Genetic counseling
Physical therapy
Bio-technology
Science education

molecular biology lab

Genomics Education Partnership

Opportunities for our undergraduates to participate in large-scale research.

Biology Program Faculty

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Benita Brink, Ph.D.
Department Chair | Professor
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Tim Armstrong, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
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Kristy Duran, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
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Dan Gibson-Reinemer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
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Victoria Gomez
Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology
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Beverly Agtuca, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology

Biology Program Curriculum

Explore Some of Our Courses

BIOL 325: Cellular Biology/Genetics Lab (1 hours)
Required companion laboratory to be taken concurrently with Biol 321 and Biol 323. Laboratory exercises in this course are designed to demonstrate, complement, and extend concepts considered in Biol 321 and Biol 323. Students will engage in exercises involving a variety of techniques in which data pertinent to both disciplines will be gathered and analyzed. Course includes 3 hours of laboratory per week.

BIOL 330: Ecology (4 hours)
An introduction to major ecological concepts and models at the levels of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. The laboratory includes laboratory and field exercises, and an introduction to data collection and analysis. Previous credit or concurrent registration in MATH 205 and BIOL 332 are recommended. Course includes 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory per week.

Academic Catalog