Wittenberg's biology department strives to ensure that students have a variety of opportunities at their fingertips. Within the department you will find:
With over 40 classes and more than 10 possibilities for field experience, biology students are able to combine different kinds of learning to make their time at Wittenberg unique and fulfilling. Opportunities for field study include Carter Caves State Park in Kentucky, Duke University Marine Laboratory in North Carolina, Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio, and the Huron National Forest in Michigan. Other popular options are summer classes in the Bahamas, the Boundary Waters of Minnesota or at the Duke Marine Laboratory. 3/2 cooperative programs with Case Western Reserve University, Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, and Washington University are also available.
Biology students have the opportunity to utilize faculty guidance to complete independent research projects in areas such as ecology, molecular biology, reproductive biology, histology, plant genetics and neurobiology. These unique experiences, often leading to presentation at scientific meetings and publication in scientific journals, give students the advantage as they enter their careers, graduate or professional school.
The collaborative relationship between Wittenberg students and faculty is another key strength of the department. Students and faculty members work closely together, developing mentoring relationships in a relaxed atmosphere that encourages informal dialogue about course material and life experiences. Upper level classes typically average 16 students, with laboratory groups having a maximum of 12 students and an average of eight.
The Department of Biology is housed in the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center along with the Departments of Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Physics. In 2003, 65,000 square feet of state-of-the-art classrooms, computer facilities, laboratories, and meeting spaces were added to the existing 120,000 square foot building. Click here to take a tour of the biology facilities.
For the last 80 years, Wittenberg has had one of the most successful biology programs in the country. Our biology graduates consistently have been accepted into graduate programs in many areas of the life sciences. The Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium ranked Wittenberg 46th out of 586 baccalaureate colleges in the number of graduates earning Ph.D.'s in the life sciences from 1986-1995. Within five years of graduation, 85% of biology majors matriculate into a graduate or professional program.