General Information about Biology at EKU

The Department of Biological Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University offers excellent opportunities for education and research in many areas of modern biology, including animal behavior, aquatic biology, botany, cell & molecular biology, evolution, ecology, microbiology, systematics, wildlife biology and management, and zoology. The Department includes 21 faculty members (all with Ph.D.'s), more than 250 undergraduates, and approximately 35 graduate students.

Facilities for teaching and research are available on and off campus. The department is housed in three buildings: Moore (with the main office located in Moore 235), Memorial Science, and Cammack. Students and faculty conduct research at field sites throughout Kentucky, neighboring states, and even further afield, including Belize, Panama, and Venezuela. We are also affiliated with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. This affiliation provides our students with the opportunity to take courses and conduct research in marine sciences at an established, well-equipped laboratory located on the Gulf of Mexico.

Degree Programs

The Department of Biological Sciences offers undergraduate degree programs in Biology, Biology - Teaching (at the secondary level), Environmental Studies, and Wildlife Management. Our graduate program in General Biology includes an Applied Ecology Option.

Teaching and Research

In the Department of Biological Sciences, faculty place a priority on both effective teaching and quality research. Several faculty members have won awards for excellent teaching, research, or both. Almost all faculty members maintain active research programs and publish regularly.

Accessible, Quality Classes & Research Opportunities

All lecture courses are taught by faculty members with Ph.D.'s, and students have the opportunity to interact closely with their instructors. In addition, graduate and undergraduate students have opportunities to get involved in research; students seeking degrees in Wildlife Management are required to conduct an independent research project. If you're interested in getting involved in research, check out our undergraduate research page!! With few exceptions, every course in our catalog (both at the undergraduate and graduate levels) is offered at least every other year, so courses are available when students need them.

Program emphases

Our Biology program is well-known for its field-oriented, ecological, and evolutionary emphasis. Many of Kentucky's best field biologists (and those in many other parts of the country) received their training in our department. Along with our traditional strength in organismal and environmental biology, we also provide coursework and research opportunities for students in cellular and molecular biology.

Where our graduates go

Self-disciplined students who apply themselves, make good grades, master their subjects, and take advantage of special opportunities for growth have more choices after completing their degree programs. Graduates of our degree programs who fit this profile have little difficulty finding jobs or gaining admission to graduate and professional schools.

In most fields today -- including biology -- a Bachelor's degree will help you get a job, but advanced training will open more long-range career options. Many of our best B.S. students eventually pursue graduate studies, and many of our M.S. graduates who aspire to succeed in highly technical fields continue their studies past the Master's degree.

Careers in Biology

Career opportunities in the biological sciences are diverse and integrated with many other fields. Meeting the employment needs of today's biological industry requires talented people with a broad understanding of the sciences, knowledge of today's pressing issues, and the commitment and drive needed to effectively address biological questions. The need for well-trained graduates in the biological sciences continues to increase.

There are excellent job opportunities for graduates with degrees in biology in entry-level jobs, as well as graduate or professional school. Examples of full-time positions for graduates with a bachelor's degree include such positions as lab technician, research scientist, teacher, naturalist, wildlife biologist, environmental planning specialist, and molecular biologist.

Our graduates who continue their education in professional (e.g., medical, dental, or veterinary schools) or graduate school have been accepted into prestigious programs and schools nationwide. Those going on to graduate school have completed advanced degrees in various areas of biology. For additional information about possible careers in biology, check out these sites: