Biology
College of Arts and Sciences
Do you want to be a doctor, a geneticist, a physical therapist, a radiologist, a zoologist, or an ecologist? Maybe you don’t know what you want to be, but you do know that you enjoy the idea of diving into science to find your path. Maybe you simply want to “geek out” through everything that science offers.
At Doane, there are students who know exactly what they want to do, there are those that have no idea just yet, and then there are those that think they know but will likely change their mind. Our biology experience embodies what we call Living Experiential Science. This approach benefits our students regardless of where you are on your path immersing individuals in variety. Your experiential science education begins and concludes by conducting experiments side-by-side with your professors and peers, which often sparks or confirm a passion. And given these very engaging experiences with our diverse and accomplished faculty, students enjoy the benefit of faculty that really know you and as a result can easily speak on your behalf when you need an endorsement or letter of recommendation.
Project SERVE seeks talented students majoring in Science or Math to pursue teaching in schools where they're needed the most. Doane was awarded a $1.2M National Science Foundation grant to support these efforts.
Check out the Doane Difference below and schedule your campus visit today!
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The Doane Difference
Preparing Students
Doane Biology faculty represent numerous specialty areas giving students unique perspectives in career exploration. Our faculty understand the important transitional experience of first-year students focusing on early student success. The close relationship and engaging learning environment allows faculty to connect with students one-on-one early and often which translates into an ability to offer quality and comprehensive endorsements and letters of recommendation. In the end, the goal is to not only have success during their undergraduate career, but for success after they leave Doane.
Variety of Fields
By actually practicing the Scientific Method, Doane biology students learn to problem solve and ultimately find their passion. We offer a supportive, apprenticeship-style, learning environment focused on student success, not “weeding out”. As a result Doane biology majors will have the tools to venture into a number of different fields. Whether its medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, microbiology, conservation and ecology, biochemistry, computational biology, genetics, physiology, marine biology, law -- the list goes on -- our students are well-equipped to begin graduate school or start a career in a desired field.
Learning By Doing
Experiential Science is integral to our curriculum. “Doing science” is a proven learning method and our students “do science” beginning the first day and concluding with a capstone research project. At Doane, the classroom is the lab. Students are decision makers who get comfortable early not knowing the outcome and evaluating experiments of others…sometimes even a professor’s! And, research opportunities don’t end in May. In fact, Doane students are supported by numerous opportunities to conduct real-world, grant-funded research side-by-side with our faculty.
Program Information
A degree in biology prepares you for a wide range of careers after graduation, from entry-level positions as technicians, sales staff, and consultants to graduate studies in a wide variety of fields, including Public Health, Plant Pathology, Genetics, Virology, Computational Biology, Chemistry, Medicine (Physicians Assistant, Physical Therapist, Physician, Dentist, Optometrist, etc.), Veterinary Science, and even Law.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist
2017 Median Pay: $51,770 per year
Job Outlook: +13% over the next 10 years
Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.
Genetic Counselor
2017 Median Pay: $77,480 per year
Job Outlook: +29% over the next 10 years
Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. They provide information and support to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
Dentist
2017 Median Pay: $158,120 per year
Job Outlook: +19% over the next 10 years
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients' teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.
Physician or Surgeon
2017 Median Pay: >$208,000 per year
Job Outlook: +13% over the next 10 years
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventative healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates.
Optometrist
2017 Median Pay: $110,300 per year
Job Outlook: +18% over the next 10 years
Optometrists examine the eyes and other parts of the visual system. They also diagnose and treat visual problems and manage diseases, injuries, and other disorders of the eyes. They prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses, as needed.
Technical Writer
2017 Median Pay: $70,930
Job Outlook: +11% over the next 10 years
Technical writers prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organization's communications channels.
Veterinarian
2017 Median Pay: $90,420 per year
Job Outlook: +19% over the next 10 years
Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to improve public health. They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals.
Zoologist or Wildlife Biologist
2017 Median Pay: $62,290 per year
Job Outlook: +8% over the next 10 years
Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals and other wildlife and how they interact with their ecosystems. They study the physical characteristics of animals, animal behavior, and the impacts humans have on wildlife and natural habitats.
Source: bls.gov.
Doane Biology students have had the opportunity to work in a number of great environments outside of the classroom, completing internships across the region and research experience at other nationally recognized universities.
Internships:
- Crete Area Medical Center
- BASF
- UNMC Department of Pharmacology
- Crete Physical Therapy
- Rocky Mountain Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Public Health Solutions
- Corteva Agriscience
- National Science Foundation - Karlsruhe, Germany
- CruMed
- Marry Lanning Healthcare
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs):
- Cornell University - Ithaca, NY
- Ohio State University - Columbus, OH
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- UNMC - Omaha, NE
View detailed course information
Requirements for the Biology Major:
Option 1
Complete the following courses:
Complete the following two groups of cognate courses:
Complete one of the following emphases:
General emphasis
Organismal Group:
Molecular Group:
Complete three additional BIO electives:
Climate Change emphasis
Complete one Molecular course:
Complete one 300/400 level Biology course for a total of five BIO courses excluding BIO 351
Complete the following cognate courses:
Biotechnology emphasis
Complete one Organismal course:
Complete one 300/400 level Biology course for a total of five BIO courses excluding BIO 351
Complete the following cognate courses:
Option 2: Biology Teaching
Complete four courses listed below, at least one course from each group:
Organismal Group
Molecular Group:
Complete the following cognate courses:
All requirements listed under the catalog section Secondary Education
Four-Year Plan
Beta Beta Beta
Doane Sports Medicine
Health and Medical Occupations Club
Wildlife and Conservation Organization
Project SERVE & Noyce Scholars
Health Professions Advisory Committee
A large portion of Doane biology majors plan to pursue a health career. Preparation is very important and involves many areas of campus—students need a strong education in the sciences, excellent communication skills, and a demonstrated interest in service. Advisors in the Health Professions Advisory Committee work with you (in addition to your academic advisor) to help plan your coursework, find shadowing and internship experiences, develop skills for taking entrance exams, and find information on the best professional programs for you.
Three-Year graduation guarantee
Are you focused on your career path and motivated to move ahead at a faster pace? We haven't modified what it takes to graduate with a biology degree. Instead, we thought progressively about how you can meet graduation requirements at an accelerated pace. Save on tuition and get into the job market or graduate school more quickly while still receiving a world-class liberal arts education from Doane.
Honors Program
For the Biology Honors program, students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0, participate in a one-credit seminar each semester (except during study abroad) and complete these additional courses:
- Eight credits of Physics
- Eight credits of Chemistry beyond 125 + 126
- Four credits of Mathematics
- Two semesters of a single foreign language (minimum of six credits)
- Biology Honors Course - Biology 498
The science and medical communities of today rely on large-scale, collaborative, research that crosses disciplines to develop new treatments and innovations. This reality makes it just as important for students to learn how to DO biology as it is for them to gain an understanding of general biological concepts and content. Doane Biology students have a variety of opportunities to pursue their research ideas with the guidance of faculty, like a coach at your side. The Doane biology program is one of the only programs in the state that provides its students the opportunity to take part in an independent capstone research project. Faculty and students are involved with large-scale, collaborative research with universities around the world.
Studying at Doane has been one of the best experiences—I've been able to conduct research, present at conferences, and have my work published.
Helena Valquier-Flynn ’18
Biochemistry
