{"id":5429,"date":"2015-05-04T09:00:03","date_gmt":"2015-05-04T09:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mymajors.com\/blog\/?p=5429"},"modified":"2015-04-30T20:48:36","modified_gmt":"2015-04-30T20:48:36","slug":"biology-major","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mymajors.com\/blog\/biology-major\/","title":{"rendered":"Biology Major #MajorMonday"},"content":{"rendered":"

[blockquote]Biology<\/a>: A general program of biology at the introductory, basic level or a program in biology or the biological sciences that is undifferentiated as to title or content. Includes instruction in general biology and programs covering a variety of biological specializations.<\/em>[\/blockquote]<\/p>\n

What are some of the jobs that biology majors can pursue? How about a biology technician helping with research? A conservation or environmental scientist employed by an advocacy group? A nutritionist or food scientist with a career designed to improve overall health? Then there are the many biology majors who continue on to graduate school. They go to medical school and train to become a doctor, veterinarian, pharmacist and more.<\/p>\n

At Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, Fla., biology majors not only receive a rigorous coursework in the biological sciences, the students also receive the breadth of more specialized courses in environmental science, biochemistry, or molecular biology.\u00a0The mission of the Department of Biology and Chemistry is to provide a comprehensive introduction to experimental biological and chemical sciences. Along with the traditional studies, \u201cscience at Ave Maria University testifies to the Catholic Church\u2019s confidence in human reason and in its ability to know the truth about God\u2019s creation even apart from the illuminating power of grace.\u201d<\/p>\n

The program faculty is made up of dedicated teachers and scholars, each with their own independent research programs in areas ranging from ecological studies to molecular and cellular biology to mechanistic biochemistry. Students are provided with the opportunity to participate in these research efforts alongside the faculty mentor.<\/p>\n

\"biology3\"
Students in the Biology program at Ave Maria University<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

[blockquote source=”Dr. Thomas Smith, associate professor and department chair of Biology at Ave Maria University”]\u201cTypically students who do well simply love to learn. They have stepped up to the next level and dig a little deeper. The students who want to do extra projects, including research.\u201d<\/em>[\/blockquote]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dr. Thomas Smith, associate professor of biology, department chair, whose research areas include ecology and environmental studies, is in his sixth year at the school. The department makes up almost 25 percent of the campus. \u201cLabs are small with none larger than 20 students. It\u2019s so important to have the hands-on time and the more personal setting. There is no TA; the instructors teach all the labs.\u201d Smith says the campus is about an hour from the ocean so many experiments can be based on the ocean. \u201cWe dissected baby sharks,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Due to the increased interest of students, one of the new majors is environmental sciences. \u201cWe are in the Florida Everglades and it is a natural teaching laboratory. We are only an hour away from the oceans and the Gulf \u2026 and two hours from the Florida Keys \u2026 we are in a great location. In working in southern Florida, we have so many areas of interest to the students with fresh water and terrestrial, bigger habitats.\u201d<\/p>\n

For students interested in biology, the courses that will help in high school include physics, biology, chemistry and math, plus more of the natural sciences courses. \u201cTypically students who do well simply love to learn. They have stepped up to the next level and dig a little deeper. The students who want to do extra projects, including research.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a freshman, study skills and time management are critical, Smith says. \u201cCollege comes with a lot of distractions. They need to be focused and remember the reason they are at a college.\u201d In biology, the two most popular areas are health sciences and exercise science as degrees.<\/p>\n

In college, biology majors learn many skills that directly translate to the working world, even when their jobs aren\u2019t directly related to biology at all. For example, students gain experience running experiments, analyzing results and formulating hypotheses.<\/p>\n

Kendra Posch, a biology major from Minnesota, is now a junior. She remembers a science class in seventh grade where she made a model of a plant cell and an animal cell. \u201cFor some reason, it all clicked,\u201d she says. \u201cI really enjoy puzzles and much of science is that ability to solve puzzles. The human body is an intricate puzzle. I had anatomy and physiology as a high school sophomore. We visited a local college where I got to hold a human brain, kidney stones and lungs. I was so convinced then that I had to go into medicine.\u201d She is still contemplating whether to study to be a physician\u2019s assistant or doctor of osteopathy.<\/p>\n

\"biology2\"
Paul M. Henkels Academic Building at Ave Maria University<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While choosing a major was ancillary for Posch, the paramount decision to attend Ave Maria was based on faith. \u201cI explored the top 50 colleges that embrace faith and that also had strong academic programs. Ave Maria shared my views. On top of it, they offered substantial educational scholarships,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOthers who are on fire for their faith are fun to be around. At the end of my sophomore year, I knew I wanted to take advantage of the opportunities on campus. I got involved with the Mother Teresa Project where you can bring in the service component. You realize you are receiving so much. I went to Haiti for a week with seven other classmates. It was such a different world, but an extraordinary experience. We played games, music and told stories. I would wash, clean and comfort. We did it all with smiles and gentle touches. When you can see the person as a person, there is an intimate connection. It\u2019s the relationship between the body and soul.\u201d<\/p>\n

Already having taken the Medical College Admission Test for medical school, Posch will also take the GRE (graduate record exams) for graduate school. \u201cI have always enjoyed science,\u201d she says. \u201cI know this broad field will be part of my future. I have always enjoyed science the most, but I am a well-rounded individual in different courses and subjects.\u201d<\/p>\n

She has shadowed doctors, including a gastroenterologist, in the health field, which she did not care for, but she is glad to be exposed at many opportunities. Posch is seeking internships for the summer. \u201cI enjoy being involved and being a servant . . . I plan on another year of research with Dr. Peliska.\u201d His research looks at projects encompass a broad range of study in bio-organic reaction mechanisms, organic synthesis, biophysical chemistry, protein chemistry and advanced enzyme kinetics.\u201d<\/p>\n

Posch recommends that others learn from her challenges. \u201cBe less of a procrastinator. I am prone to putting things off and my sleep suffers. I have more of an appreciation for advanced reading such as Paradise Lost and Aristotle. It forces me to stay focused.\u201d<\/p>\n

[well]\"\"Ave Maria University<\/strong> is a vibrant University located in beautiful Southwest Florida. It is an academic institution that pledges faithfulness to the teachings of the Catholic Church and is committed to offering one of the finest classical liberal arts curricula available, as well as opportunities for specialized study in all of the sciences and humanities.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the Biology program at Ave Maria University, visit their website<\/a>. If you are interested in attending Ave Maria University, visit their school page<\/a> to learn more about their campus and degree options.[\/well]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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