Why Choose Biology at Truman?

There are several reasons why you should consider studying biology as an undergraduate at Truman State University:

• First, the Biology faculty are strongly committed towards teaching - both in and out of classes, faculty members use a variety of instructional techniques and assignments (from traditional lecturing to active learning) to help students to learn and grow. We ask Biology majors, as students at a liberal arts institution, not only to learn the facts of Biology, but we also provide opportunities for students to develop their oral and written communication skills, their ability to think critically, and their ability to collaborate as a member of a group, just to mention a few areas. In addition, professors teach all labs at Truman, as we do not rely upon graduate students to provide lab instruction.
• Second, Biology majors at Truman enjoy a broad-based biology curriculum which provides a strong basic foundation for future study - whether in medicine, wildlife & forestry, marine biology, molecular biology, or any other branch of Biology.
• Third, class sizes are generally small, especially after the freshmen year (during which you may have 50-75 students in lecture). Enrollments in advanced classes and, especially, in labs, are kept low in order to increase the likelihood that each student will receive the personal attention they need from their instructors.
• Fourth, students have access to high-quality, modern instrumentation and equipment in teaching labs as well as in research labs. For example, all of our student microscopes are 6 years old or newer. We constantly seek out and use funds to equip our labs, and we emphasize training students how to use this instrumentation so that they can compete for entry into graduate and professional programs, as well as the scientific and technical job market.
• Fifth, abundant opportunities for undergraduate research exist at Truman. All Biology faculty members work closely with undergraduates in designing and implementing research projects in virtually every area of Biology - from ecology, to electron microscopy, to the polymerase chain reaction, to improving how we teach Biology in labs and classrooms. Many of our student researchers may be compensated for such activities with either course credit or funds supplied from grants from either Truman or external public and private agencies. As an institutional member of the Council on Undergraduate Research, Truman subscribes to the philosophy that one of the most effective ways to teach students science is, in fact, to have students do science.
• Finally, all students at Truman have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the liberal arts and sciences culture, which means more than just taking classes in a variety of subject areas. Special lectures and residential colleges, the Lyceum series, theatrical and musical performances, movies, internships, Study Abroad, service-learning activities, and a variety of intramural and intercollegiate sports all enhance the "classroom" learning that goes on in Biology and other science classes. The Biology faculty encourage their students to take full advantage of all these co-curricular options - and more, as we hope to graduate baccalaureate recipients who are broadly trained and able to meet the challenges of the 21st century and beyond.