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You are warmly invited to explore Biology at Jacksonville State University. The students and faculty of the Biology Department form a very friendly academic environment designed to enhance your education and life in the JSU Academic Community as you prepare for a future in biology or another discipline.
The biology faculty provides substantive and meaningful instruction in:
- Introductory Biology, which fulfills the Natural Science component of the University Core Curriculum;
- A broad-based biology curriculum with 5 different tracks or programs based on a common Biology Core of courses, with each program designed to provide the undergraduate Biology Major (BS/Biology) with a strong foundation and focus in the biological sciences and which supports theBSE/Biology;
- A breadth of advanced study in the biological sciences that is designed to support graduate programs leading to either the MS or the MSE/Biology;
- Student-faculty research (undergraduate and graduate) as an integral component of its instructional program; and
- Service courses that support health-oriented programs in various University Departments
The undergraduate BIOLOGY MAJOR will find an exciting program in the biological sciences in which content and process learning experiences are integrated into one---the JSU EXPERIENCE in BIOLOGY. In the biological sciences, content is that academic course work involving lecture, laboratory, and field learning experiences which provides a background in biology whereas the process of science (i.e., the scientific method) is best achieved through an undergraduate research experience.
Content experiences in the biological sciences consider the WHAT?, the WHERE? and the WHEN? Whereas, the research experience in biology asks the WHY? and HOW? It is these questions that, for untold ages, have stoked the fires of progress for every civilization that has occupied this planet. There is still so much that we do not know.
It is the biologist that examines the fragile and complex nature of life--from the intricate mechanics of molecular biology to the complex interactions of ecosystems--which today remains a frontier for scientific inquiry. And the Faculty of the Biology Department invite you to be a part of that experience.
The Biology Curriculum has undergone major revision in recent years. A core curriculum of genetics, ecology and cell biology now serves as a transition from freshman courses to prepare the Biology Major for advanced course work and student research. Traditional advanced courses have been retained with new courses added in such areas as molecular biology and freshwater biology. Intensive field and/or laboratory provides considerable "hands-on" experience.
JSU Biology Majors are exposed to problem-solving and critical thinking through undergraduate research. Undergraduate research have involved a wide variety of topics--from "water bears" and the "shotgun" fungus to genetic analysis of freshwater snails and studies of bacterial enzymes and proteins (SEE Undergraduate Research Projects). Our majors typically deliver an oral presentation of their research before their peers (i.e., other JSU students) at an Annual College of Arts and Sciences Student Research Symposium. Many also present their studies at annual meetings of such professional biology groups as the Alabama Academy of Sciences, the Association of Southeastern Biologists, the American Society of Microbiologists, and the Botanical Society of America. The result--the competitiveness of our Majors in the job market and for graduate education has been greatly enhanced.
ANY student who plans to transfer to JSU from another 4-year institution or community college and intends to major in biology should:
- Apply to Admissions and request an evaluation of her/his academic credit for transfer.
- Make an appointment with the transfer advisor in biology or the Head of the Biology Department as soon as possible--either BEFORE or AT THE TIME OF transfer to JSU.
If you eventually plan to transfer to JSU, plan your course work at your current institution carefully so that, on transfer, you can enter the JSU Biology degree program with minimal difficulty (SEE Academic Programs - TRANSFER).
The following statements govern the transfer of academic credit among accredited institutions:
- Transfer Credit is normally granted with a JSU course number when the transfer course is equivalent to one currently offered by the Department of Biology.
- Some biology courses may not count towards the Biology Major or Minor at JSU but as a rule you should not lose academic credit.
- Academic credit that does not transfer into the Biology Major or Minor instead may count towards university graduation hours.
Please NOTE that all transfer credit requests are evaluated by JSU Admissions - Transfer. That Office however does not advise transfer students. In Biology that person will be the Transfer Advisor. Please make an appointment with the appropriate Biology Transfer Advisor IN ADVANCE; for assistance, call the Biology Secretary (256 782-5642).
If you have questions , please contact the Biology Department at
- 256 782 5642
- biology@jsucc.jsu.edu
Or Admissions at 256 782 5400
- For transfer from a 4-year institution
- ask for Kathy or Email kcambron@jsucc.jsu.edu
- For transfer from a community college
- ask for Lea or Email kittrell@jsucc.jsu.edu
For further information on admission into the Jacksonville State University Department of Biology contact the JSU Office of Admissions at 1-800-231-5291.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
For financial aid and scholarship information you may contact the financial aid department of Jacksonville State University at 256-782-5006.
Last Updated: November 30, 1999
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