Biology
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I have found that Blackburn fits my lifestyle and learning style much better than a large university. I have come to appreciate student involvement. You are involved from the moment you arrive on campus. Sara Armon , Junior |
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Blackburn College is a small, rural, liberal arts college with a unique Work Program that provides a wonderful opportunity for students to learn, work and grow into productive members of society. We take pride in our students’ success. It sounds cliché but it is true. Blackburn has an excellent, widely respected academic program in the biological sciences with a long tradition of preparing students for careers ranging from medicine to field biology.
Career Opportunities
At Blackburn College, we work with you to best prepare you for your career goals. We help our students interested in medicine, dental school or veterinary sciences find and work with local professionals to learn “first hand” what that career involves. We help students interested in graduate studies find research opportunities. We help students to find jobs.
Quality Faculty
Dr. Edward Zalisko was awarded the Illinois College Professor of the Year in 2000 and we feel that honor reflects the type of teaching excellence that is pervasive among all of our science faculty. All Blackburn science faculty have a Ph.D. degree in their field and received tenure based on their teaching ability and not their ability to bring in research dollars as is the case at larger universities.
Questions
Can you earn a degree other than Biology?
The biology student has a wide selection of majors from which to choose. Within the biology department we offer a Bachelor of Arts in biology. We also offer degrees in molecular biology, environmental biology, medical technology and biology: pre-medicine and other health professions. We also have a pre-nursing program that prepares the interested student for entry into a nursing program at St. John’s College of Nursing in Springfield, IL.
Is research required for graduation?
Research is encouraged but not required to complete your degree. However, the faculty have several research projects they are always working on and engage students on a regular basis.
What sets Blackburn biology apart from others?
The Work Program is unique opportunity for our biology students. This is true on several levels. When you start taking classes in the biology department (and chemistry department) there will be upperclassmen (teaching assistants or T.A.’s) available during labs and in the evenings to help as you begin your studies. These student-mentors know what you are going through and can help you adjust to the academic rigors of college life. Qualified students majoring in the sciences have the opportunity to become teaching assistants and work closely with science faculty as tutors and lab assistants.
Our curriculum is another facet that separates us from other schools. We have designed our curriculum to help our biology students that like science explore all the options available to them to best match their interests and abilities. We want you to first learn about organisms we can see and touch (big ideas). These basic courses prepare our students to jump into any field of biology they wish to pursue.
Biology Department Links
Careers (PDF)
Faculty Information
Semester Schedule (PDF)
