Our Mission
To serve the communities of our world, nation, state, and university by advancing understanding of living organisms and their interactions with the environment through research, to provide high-quality biology education with an emphasis on experiential learning and problem solving, and to build public understanding of the living world through educational outreach activities for learners of all ages.
Our Vision
The Department of Biological Sciences will be a leader in acquiring fundamental knowledge of the living world that will advance the health of the planet, including humans. We will fully integrate instruction and research so that all students not only learn but also, through their learning, actively contribute to our understanding of life.
Our Strategic Goals
- Advance our research efforts in emerging fields of the biological sciences and develop nationally recognized learning centers for undergraduate and graduate curricula
- Increase the recruitment of and support for innovative and outstanding faculty who through research and teaching will develop the scientists, health professionals, government professionals, and mentors of the future
- Foster an exciting environment where teaching, research, and service will stimulate our students to serve as leaders of the people of this state, the nation, and the world
- Enrich our regional environment with the development of scientific programs to include opportunities for participation of our local communities