The Department of Biology is one of the largest and most productive
units at the University of Akron. Annual student credit hour production
is close to 20,000 and there are over 800 biology majors. The biology faculty
members have traditionally placed a high value upon excellence in undergraduate
education and strongly promotes undergraduate
involvement in research. Many of our students are admitted to graduate
schools elsewhere where they earn advanced degrees (e.g., M.D., Ph.D.,
and DDS). During the past five years, student credit hour production has
increased by a remarkable 3,600, which undoubtedly reflects not only the
quality of our program, but also the growing importance of biology in today's
society, particularly with respect to environmental concerns and to health
care.
Currently, the faculty
consist
of 21 full-time professors, ranging in interests from molecular biology
to evolutionary ecology (see Research
interests). The department offers four Areas
of Specialization, which include Ecology and Evolution, Microbiology, Animal
physiology, and Zoology. Also, the department offers courses designed to
prepare students for specific careers, namely Pre-professional and High
School Biology areas of interest.
The Department of Biology also offers the degree of Master of Science
in Biology. There are currently 29 graduate students pursuing various research
interests, including hypertension in rats, immunology, cell physiology
in fish, pollination biology, ecological physiology, biological systematics,
and the evolution of mating systems in crustaceans. Students interested
in pursuing graduate work in the Department of Biology are encouraged to
contact faculty with whom they share interests and to request additional
information about the application process by sending e-mail to the milsted@uakron.edu.
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