Nov 22, 2024  
2020-2021 Academic Catalog 
    
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2020-2021 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology

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Stephanie Toering-Peters, Chair; Michael D. Bechtel; Nicholas W. Blay; Sean T. Coleman; Eric B. Emmons; Michaeleen Golay; Samantha Larimer Bousquet; David A. McCullough; Jeremy M. Whitaker

Biology

Biology majors have consistently gained admission into graduate schools and professional health programs, such as dentistry, medicine, optometry, physical therapy, and veterinary medicine. Biology majors also have entered careers in business, conservation, research, and teaching.

All biology majors conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty member. Participation in May Term experiences, such as the ecology of Guyana, prairie vertebrate ecology, or island ecology, is encouraged.

Through Wartburg’s affiliation with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, Miss., students can enroll in marine biology courses. These offerings include Marine Invertebrate Zoology, Coastal Herpetology, Marine Biology, Marine Mammals, and Oceanography.

Program goals:

  • To develop an understanding of the molecular, physiological, morphological, evolutionary, and ecological components of organisms.
  • To develop the ability to design and conduct research, analyze and interpret data, critically evaluate scientific literature, write scientific papers, and present posters and seminars.
  • To develop an awareness of the social, moral, and ethical aspects of the biological sciences.
  • To prepare students for acceptance into graduate or professional programs or for employment in a biology-related field.

Intended Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  1. demonstrate knowledge of biological concepts from molecular to ecological levels.
  2. utilize appropriate scientific tools and methods in the completion of biological research.
  3. communicate scientific information clearly in both written and oral forms.
  4. analyze examples of problems associated with the social and ethical aspects of the biological sciences.
  5. evaluate scientific literature and data critically, and draw conclusions.
  6. integrate multiple levels of complexity in their explanation of biological processes.

Programs

Biology Teaching

For additional information on teaching majors and endorsements, see Education  Department listings.

Preprofessional Programs

Dentistry, Medical Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Physical Therapy, Veterinary Medicine

See Preprofessional Study .

Neuroscience

Samantha Larimer Bousquet, coordinator

Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary major that combines an introduction in biology, psychology, chemistry, and statistics with specific neuroscience courses and electives appropriate to a student’s interests.  All students complete several types of independent research experiences as part of the major, including a year of research under the guidance of a faculty member.

Neuroscience is a logical major for students interested in a career in research (e.g. molecular neuroscience, artificial intelligence, animal behavior, neuroeconomy). This major is also appropriate for students interested in nervous system-related health careers (e.g. physical therapy, occupational therapy, neurosurgery, psychiatry).

Program goals:

  • To demonstrate command of theory, concepts, and methods in the core content areas of neuroscience (molecular, cellular, cognitive, and systems-level neuroscience, healthy and diseased systems).
  • To develop the ability to design and conduct research, analyze and interpret data, critically evaluate scientific literature, write scientific papers, and present posters and seminars.
  • To develop an awareness of the social, moral, and ethical aspects of neuroscience.
  • To prepare students for acceptance into graduate or professional programs or for employment in a neuroscience-related field.

Intended Student Learning Outcomes

Neuroscience Major

Students will:

  1. understand neuroscience concepts from molecular to behavioral levels.
  2. identify, justify, and utilize appropriate scientific tools and methods in the completion of scientific research.
  3. evaluate scientific literature and data and draw conclusions.
  4. clearly communicate scientific information in written and oral presentations.
  5. recognize and articulate examples of, and devise possible solutions to, problems associated with the social and ethical aspects of behavioral sciences.

Department Recommendation

Neuroscience is a broad field.  A course sequence fitting the student’s career objectives should be planned in consultation with the student’s adviser.  Graduate schools and professional schools may require prerequisites beyond those satisfied by the major. 

Programs

Public Health

Lorinda L. Sheeler, coordinator

Public health is an interdisciplinary major that provides students with an understanding of the connections between public health and a variety of disciplines, ranging from social sciences to biological sciences to business. These diverse fields are brought together by a commitment to improve the public’s health.  Students are provided exposure to the biological, social, and economic components of health, along with health disparities and social justice. The Public Health major provides students with a basic understanding of the five core public health knowledge areas: health behavior, epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, and environmental health. The program introduces students to the role of public health in assuring health, improving health, and protecting against health threats.

Program goals:

  • To demonstrate command of theory, concepts, and methods in the core content areas of public health (health behavior, epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, and environmental health).
  • To develop the ability to design and conduct research, analyze and interpret data, critically evaluate scientific literature, write scientific papers, and present posters and seminars.
  • To develop an awareness of the social, moral, and ethical aspects of public health.
  • To prepare students for acceptance into graduate or professional programs or for employment in a public health-related field.

Intended Student Learning Outcomes

Public Health Major

Students will:

  1. Understand the impact of historical, cultural, political, environmental, behavioral, and socio-economic factors on population/community health and health status.
  2. Describe the organization, financing, and delivery of health services and public health systems.
  3. Identify the underlying biological factors relating to public health issues and discuss how these factors inform interventions to improve population health.
  4. Evaluate policy, behavioral, environmental, and systems options for addressing current public health and health care concerns.
  5. Use an interdisciplinary approach to develop public-health research interventions based on current evidence.

Programs

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