2021-2022 Academic Catalog

Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences

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Faculty

Dr. Louise Nicholson (chair) | Dr. David G. Argent | Dr. Summer Arrigo-Nelson | Dr. Carol Bocetti | Dr. Jesse Eiben | Dr. Kyle C. Fredrick | Dr. Chadwick Hanna | Dr. Daniel Harris | Dr. Cassandra L. Kuba | Dr. Sarah Meiss | Dr. Brian Paulson | Dr. Nancy Pugh | Dr. Mark Tebbitt | Dr. Robert S. Whyte

For faculty bios, visit: https://www.calu.edu/inside/faculty-staff/profiles/index.aspx

Programs

Cal U's Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences includes undergraduate programs in anthropology, biology, environmental studies, fisheries and wildlife, geology, molecular biology and veterinary technology. 

Associate and Bachelor's Degree Programs

Degrees offered through this department include:

  • A.S. in Veterinary Technology
  • B.A. in Anthropology: Archaeology
  • B.A. in Anthropology: Forensic Anthropology
  • B.S. in Biology
  • B.S. in Biology: Mortuary Science
  • B.S. in Biology: Plant Biology
  • B.S. in Biology: Pre-Chiropractic Medicine
  • B.S. in Biology, with pre-professional concentrations in:
    • Pre-Dentistry
    • Pre-Medicine 
    • Pre-Optometry
    • Pre-Osteopathic Medicine
    • Pre-Pharmacy
    • Pre-Podiatric Medicine
    • Pre-Veterinary Medicine
  • B.S. in Environmental Studies: Conservation Ecology
  • B.S. in Environmental Studies: Environmental Science
  • B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology
  • B.S. in Geology
  • B.S. in Molecular Biology
  • B.S. in Veterinary Technology

Note: Cal U also offers a B.S.Ed. in Biology: Secondary Education through its Department of Education.

Minors

Minors offered through this department include:

  • Anthropology
  • Biology
  • Environmental Geosciences
  • Environmental Science
  • Fisheries and Wildlife
  • Geology
  • Hydrology

Facilities

The department is housed in a four-story building equipped with an array of scientific instruments. Specialized areas include the animal room, greenhouse, herbarium and vertebrate teaching museum. Facilities also include:

  • Earth Materials Laboratory 
  • Geosciences Laboratory
  • Peter J. Daley Geotechnology Institute
  • Watershed Analysis Laboratory

The SAI Farm serves as a 94-acre outdoor lab, providing students with hands-on experiences. 

Honor Societies

Beta Beta Beta is the national honor society for biological sciences. Students can earn membership if they maintain a GPA of 3.25 in the biological sciences and 3.00 overall after completing 45 credit-hours and are extended an invitation to join.

Anthropology majors are eligible for membership in the Gamma Chapter of Lambda Alpha, the national anthropology honor society.

The national earth science honor society, Sigma Gamma Epsilon, has a chapter (Zeta Alpha) on campus. Students recognized for their academic and professional achievements are elected to it. 

Academic Societies and Department Clubs

The Cal U Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) is open to all environmental studies and fisheries and wildlife biology majors. The AFS promotes issues dealing with the management of North American game and non-game fish resources and their associated habitats. The professional society offers opportunities for public outreach and professional development. Members can elect to participate in various activities ranging from workshops to conferencing to hands-on field work.

Biology Club is open to all interested students. Members explore careers in biology through guest speakers and behind-the-scenes tours of research facilities, the zoo, botanical gardens and museums. Other activities include camping and whitewater rafting; fundraising events, such as races and bake sales to benefit cancer research and other charities; and judging science competitions of local K-12 students.

The Geology Club sponsors numerous activities for majors and non-majors. The club offers field trips and social outings and sponsors student travel to conferences. Cal U also has active chapters of the Association for Environmental and Engineering Geologists and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

Medical Interest Club offers guidance to undergraduates on the many requirements for application to medical graduate schools. This club enables members pursuing healthcare careers to explore career choices through speakers and touring medical education programs.

Cal U has a student chapter of the Wildlife Society, which was chartered in 1996. The mission of the Wildlife Society is to represent and serve the professional community of scientists, managers, educators, technicians, planners and others who work actively to study, manage and conserve wildlife and their habitats worldwide.