Biology, Geology and Environmental Science

UC Foundation Professor Gretchen E. Potts, Head

The Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science (BGE) offers three major programs of study: a B.S. in Biology, a B.S. in Geology, and a B.S. in Environmental Science. Each major consists of two parts: a core curriculum and a concentration of study. Biology majors must take the Biology core curriculum and select a concentration of study in General Biology, Pre-Professional (e.g., Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Physician Assistant, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Veterinary), or STEM Education. Geology majors must take the Geology core curriculum and select a concentration of study in Geology, Environmental Geology, Geoarchaeology, Geospatial Science, Hydrogeology, or STEM Education. Environmental Science majors must take the Environmental Science core curriculum and select a concentration of study in Biodiversity, Conservation and Natural Resources; Earth, Atmosphere and Geological Resources; Environmental Health; Environmental Policy and Planning; Geographic and Cartographic Sciences; or Natural Resource Administration and Enforcement. In addition to requirements in the Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science major, students must satisfy all university and general education requirements for graduation.

Department Vision

Building on the unique strengths of our faculty, staff, and students, we will be leaders of and advocates for innovative teaching, scientific discovery, and service.

Department Mission

We are educators and scientists who embrace creativity, intellectual freedom, high academic standards, and diversity of thought and culture. Our mission is to: 1) inspire students to become productive, responsible, and engaged members of the scientific community and society, 2) advance the fields of biology, geology, and environmental science by engaging in innovative research and scholarship, 3) be locally and globally engaged scientists who promote education in our community and worldwide and 4) expand and enhance diversity and inclusivity in the sciences.

Department Values

Faculty, staff, and students in Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science value:

Broad scientific education that promotes an appreciation and deep understanding of the natural world;
Freedom of scientific thought;
The scientific process and effective dissemination of knowledge;
Integrity and collegiality;
Cultural diversity and inclusivity of people, thoughts, experiences and talent; and
Community and global engagement.

Learning Outcomes for Biology

The Biology program of study is designed so that students earning the B.S. in Biology will achieve:

SLO 1.Core Knowledge. Students demonstrate understanding of core concepts in the discipline as they apply to various levels of biological organization (i.e., from molecules to ecosystems) and taxonomic groups (e.g., viruses, prokaryotes, plants, fungi, insects, fishes, reptiles, birds, mammals, etc.), including structure and function, genetics, evolution, and ecology.

SLO 2.Resources and Tools. Students use scientific resources to collect biological information, including the literature base, established methodologies and technologies, laboratory and field equipment, and/or computational tools.

SLO 3.Scientific Process. Students ask and address biological questions by developing hypotheses, designing and conducting relevant empirical and/or theoretical tests, and critically analyzing and interpreting results.

SLO 4.Communication and Engagement. Students disseminate biological information in various formats (i.e., oral, written) and engage with various audiences (i.e., scientific, general) as is essential to career development in the discipline.

Learning Outcomes for Geology

The Geology program of study is designed so that upon completion of the baccalaureate program in Geology, students will be able to:

Characterize and identify common geologic materials (e.g. minerals, rocks, fossils, and soils) in field and/or laboratory settings.
Describe slow, commonly imperceptible, geologic processes in the context of the enormous scale of geologic time, and the energy gradients that drive them.
Apply their knowledge of geology and systems thinking to critically assess problems that impact society.
Use spatially, geometrically, and/or temporally related data to formulate conceptual and/or computational models to effectively interpret geologic structures, geologic processes, geologic history and/or the genesis and evolution of geologic materials and strucures.
Demonstrate critical thinking through effective design and execution of geologic research.
Effectively communicate geotechnical information by written, oral, and graphical means.

Learning Outcomes for Environmental Science

The Environmental Science program of study is designed so that students earning the B.S. in Environmental Science will achieve:

SLO 1.Core Knowledge. Students demonstrate interdisciplinary knowledge of core areas of environmental science (e.g., ecology, natural resources, law and policy, ethics, etc.) as they apply to understanding the natural word and addressing environmental issues, including human population growth, resource depletion, urbanization, pollution, and sustainability.

SLO 2.Resources and Tools. Students use resources within an environmental science context to collect information, including the literature base, established methodologies and technologies, laboratory and field equipment, and/or computational tools.

SLO 3.Scientific/Research Process. Students ask and address questions in environmental science by developing questions and/or hypotheses, designing and conducting relevant investigations with empirical, theoretical, and/or conceptual tests, and critically analyzing and interpreting results.

SLO 4.Communication and Engagement. Students disseminate environmental science information in various formats (i.e., oral, written) and engage with various audiences (i.e., scientific, general) as is essential to career development in the discipline.

Pre-Professional Programs

In addition to the Biology: Pre-Professional program, UTC offers several other programs of study that prepare a student to be accepted into medical school. Additional information is provided on the Pre-Health Professions Advising website.

Consortium Courses

In addition to courses offered by BGE, students are encouraged to consider enrolling in relevant field courses at institutions formally affiliated with BGE including the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, which offers courses in marine biology, and the Highlands Biological Station (HBS) in Highlands, North Carolina, which offers courses focused on the biology and ecology of the southern Appalachians. Geology majors are encouraged to attend a summer field camp before or immediately after graduation.

Students can obtain more information about the GCRL, including admission to its summer program and course enrollment through the GCRL website. Course offerings vary from year to year and can be viewed through the GCRL website.

Students can obtain more information about the HBS, including admission to its summer workshops and course enrollment through the HBS website.