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Biology Facts
Biology Facts
Biology Facts
Areas of Emphasis
After completing general biology, students may choose elective courses to earn
either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree in biology. A minor in
biology is also available.
During the past 10 years, 65 percent of PLU graduates seeking medical school
admission and 85 percent of those seeking dental school admission have been
accepted.
Other graduates earn master’s and doctoral degrees in areas including wildlife
biology, marine biology, physiology, cell biology, genetics, immunology,
microbiology, molecular biology, and neurobiology.
Our faculty members have expertise in career counseling PLU biology students.
They work with you to plan coursework, map out career objectives and assist with
professional and graduate applications.
Many of our faculty members provide research opportunities for our students on
faculty research projects during both the academic year as well as the summer,
most frequently in association with the Division of Natural Sciences Undergraduate
Research Program. Students have also obtained summer research positions at
other universities around the country.
Internship opportunities in biology are also available. For example, our students
have obtained internships at The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the
Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma’s
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington State University Research &
Extension Center, various health care facilities, physical therapy clinics, and local
conservation groups. Available internships are listed through PLU’s Office of
Academic Internships.
The PLU Biology Department faculty members are trained across a broad
spectrum of knowledge, from molecular biology to ecosystem ecology, and have
professional teaching and research expertise with a full range of organisms:
viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants and animals (including humans).
Professors, not teaching assistants, teach the laboratory sections and they are
available outside of class for conversation and advising.
After completing two semesters of general biology, students may choose elective
courses, taking at least one course in each of three distributions: Molecular and
Cellular Biology; Organism Structure and Function; and Ecology and Evolution.
Students are also required to take Genetics as well as Zoological and Botanical
offerings. Students may earn either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences
degree in biology. A minor in biology is also available. Students may also combine
their biology studies with another major or minor to pursue multi-disciplinary
interests like biochemistry or biostatistics, for example.
Facilities
The modern Rieke Science Center supports students and programs with efficient
teaching and research laboratories. PLU has:
a Biology computer lab and a variety of scientific software for use in our
laboratory classes and research
PCR thermocyclers, including real-time PCR and thermogradient capabilities
modern spectrophotometers, including a nano-drop, a Klett colorimeter, and
those with UV capabilities
facilities and equipment for recombinant DNA experiments, including an
electroporator, a bead-beater, a gel documentation system, and a variety of
electrophoresis equipment
laminar flow hoods, a tissue-culture hood, and hoods equipped with UV light
a working museum with vertebrate and invertebrate specimens
a herbarium with extensive plant collection
environmental growth chambers
multiple centrifuges including those with refrigeration and ultra-speed
capabilities
-80˚C ultrafreezers for specimen storage
facilities for maintaining small animals
Two 125-gallon aquaria for fresh-and/or salt-water experimentation
a human cadaver for independent study
a tissue processing microtechnique room
a variety of microscopes including stereoscopes, a fluorescence microscope,
an inverted microscope, and compound light microscopes with dark-field
capabilities
a walk-in cold room for low-temperature experiments
high-quality spotting scopes