| | Dr. Charlie Gagen, Head McEver Hall Room 34D
1701 N. Boulder Av.
Russellville, AR 72801-2222
(479)968-0294
cgagen@atu.edu Ms. Valli Wanzer
Administrative Specialist I
McEver Hall Rm 34E
(479)968-0294
vwanzer@atu.edu | | | | Mission The Department of Biological Sciences promotes academic excellence and varied instructional approaches to foster the development of life-long learning in Arkansas Tech University students. The Department strives to: meet the general education needs of all undergraduates; provide specialized academic instruction appropriate for Departmental majors; and address ancillary instructional requirements beyond the scope of general education for outside majors. Departmental faculty contribute scholarly works to the wide array of disciplines embraced by our varied programs and degree offerings. The Department also provides expertise to individuals, academic entities, and professional societies.
Goals The faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences have agreed that our goals are: -
to instill a university atmosphere that promotes academic excellence and scholarly attitude in students; -
to produce students dedicated to and capable of understanding scientific processes in general and within their major field of study; -
to provide students with general education courses that engender a working understanding of important biological processes, scientific methods, and related ethical issues that will inspire civic participation in an increasingly technological world; -
to foster student involvement in research; and -
to continue community outreach. The Department of Biological Sciences offers bachelor of science degree curricula in biology, an environmental option in biology, fisheries and wildlife science, health information management, and medical technology. In addition, a master of science degree in fisheries and wildlife science, an associate degree in medical assistant, and a certificate program in medical transcription are offered. Students interested in teaching biology at the secondary level should follow the suggested curriculum in Life Science and Earth Science for Teacher Licensure, School of Education. Each of the bachelor of science degree programs offered by the Department, with the exception of medical technology, requires a total of 124 hours for graduation. The medical technology program requires a total of 131 hours for completion. No more than twelve credit-hours of "D's" can be applied toward these degrees, and Allied Health Science programs (AHS) have more stringent grade requirements as recommended by respective certifying agencies. Students in the Department of Biological Sciences, except for AHS program majors, are required to complete a common core consisting of: an orientation course, BIOL 1114, Principles of Biology; BIOL 2124, Principles of Zoology; BIOL 2134, Principles of Botany; BIOL 3034, Genetics; an ecology course; a physiology course; and a seminar course. Graduating seniors, except those in AHS programs, will be required to complete the Major Field Achievement Test (MFAT) in Biology as part of the assessment plan for the Department. Students will take the test during assessment week of the semester of planned graduation.
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