Ohio Wesleyan's comprehensive Biological Sciences Department offers a vast array of faculty expertise, courses, facilities, and research opportunities in botany, zoology, microbiology, and genetics. You can choose from seven different majors leading to graduate school or careers in science, healthcare and medicine, education, private industry, government agencies, and a world of other options. Our students graduate with a strong foundation in scientific skills and concepts, coupled with a liberal arts perspective that prepares them to become leaders in solving complex problems in biology and beyond. All faculty members in the department are academic advisers, and all are available to help you select courses and chart your path.
From nematodes to African elephants, Ohio Wesleyan students studying zoology explore the breadth of the animal kingdom and the ecosystems they inhabit around the world. OWU offers two distinct zoology majors so you can align your program with your particular goals. Each of these majors includes features that offer special preparation for a variety of fields, such as medicine, environmental science, genetics and molecular biology, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, K-12 teaching, museum curatorship, animal care, and more.
Plants, fungi, algae, bacteria, and viruses have shaped human civilization. These organisms form the base of our food supply, start pandemics, cause crop failures, allow baking and brewing, facilitate genetic engineering, and cycle carbon, water, and vital nutrients through the global ecosystem. OWU's botany, microbiology, and genetics programs are built upon a hands-on, experiential curriculum that prepares you to impact the planet's high-stakes issues in health, agriculture, technology, and the environment.
The Biology major combines courses from botany and zoology to provide a strong foundation in biological principles with the flexibility to explore a variety of topics. You will be prepared for a wide range of advanced biological studies and health professions.
As a plant scientist, your work will be central to sustaining the global food supply, mitigating climate change, sustaining biodiversity, restoring degraded lands, and developing life-saving pharmaceuticals. Our students have pursued careers in research, environmental consulting, horticulture, and education.
The Genetics major combines courses ranging from molecular genetics to cell biology to plant physiology. Ohio Wesleyan's program, facilities, and top-of-the-line instrumentation foster advanced research projects by students and faculty. Genetics is excellent preparation for graduate school and programs in the health professions.
Microbiology is the study of small life forms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. With an Ohio Wesleyan degree in microbiology, you are prepared to work in fields such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, epidemiology, food and chemical industries, or ecology.
Students who major in Zoology (B.A.) are interested in the study of humans and other animals, but perhaps do not want to pursue a professional career in medicine or zoology. Many Zoology (B.A.) majors choose to double major in another discipline.
The Zoology (B.S.) sequence will satisfy the entrance requirements of almost all graduate programs in biology or zoology as well as meeting most of the prerequisites for medical, dental, and veterinary medicine schools.
Biology
Botany
Food Studies (Mentored Minor)
Microbiology
Zoology
Pursuing a minor while at OWU will expand your knowledge, add depth to your major, enhance your résumé, and allow you to explore academic areas of interest.
Tami Panhuis' research lab is broadly interested in comparative evolutionary biology and the evolution of fish placenta traits.
Professor Downing seeks to understand how humans impact the environment in both her research and in her teaching. She travels with students to places such as the Galapagos Islands and Caribbean coral reefs to explore biodiversity and study ecological interactions.
Professor Hankison is interested in the relationship between animal behavior and evolution. She currently is working with students to understand how courtship behaviors and mating preferences in fish correspond to paternity in offspring.
Professor Anderson is a plant physiological ecologist with interests in global environmental change, invasive plants, and forest ecosystem function. Her current work focuses on invasive garlic mustard and developing collaborative ecological studies with students and faculty.
Professor Tuhela-Reuning is currently collaborating with students on research investigating how bacteria found on bird feathers swim toward the amino acids found in the feathers.
Professor Wolverton readily shares his fascination concerning plant physiology, cell biology, genetics, and advanced molecular techniques with students. His current research looks at plant and cellular responses to environmental stimuli, such as gravity, light, and touch.
Professor Hamill's research and teaching interests include cellular and developmental genetics. She and her research students examine cell division and early development in nematode worms.
Dustin Reichard's research on bird communication extends to measuring how human-induced changes in the environment, such as anthropogenic noise, are affecting animal signaling and stress physiology.
Professor Carreno's research focus is in parasitology involving arthropods, mammals, birds, fish, and other wildlife, and student research is thus split between the laboratory and the field. Students working with Dr. Carreno carry out projects in local, subtropical, and tropical environments.
In his research, Eric Gangloff addresses the big question of how organisms, especially reptiles and amphibians, will respond to this rapidly changing world.
David Markwardt serves as the lead advisor for students interested in the health professions.
Students learn how to safely grow and identify bacteria and other microbes from the environment and from other samples.
A wonderful facility for research and teaching with living plants, the Moore Greenhouse boasts a collection of almost 500 specimens collected from countries around the world. Its climate-controlled rooms recreate the conditions of a tropical rainforest habitat, a desert habitat, and temperate conditions similar to the climate of Ohio. Botany students routinely use the greenhouse for controlled experiments in plant propagation, physiology, and ecology.
Two large nature preserves maintained by Ohio Wesleyan serve as living classroom and lab spaces. Ohio Wesleyan maintains multiple outdoor and indoor learning environments, including an herbarium, greenhouse, and an arboretum.
The museum houses an impressive collection of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Space and laboratory are available for specimen preparation. More Information
The Kraus and Bohannan nature preserves, 80 and 50 acres respectively, are close to campus. Many of our courses enable students to use these preserves for hands-on field experience. Several other nearby facilities within easy driving range provide internship opportunities, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Laboratories, nearby hospitals, Stratford Ecological Center, Ohio Wildlife Center, veterinary clinics, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Students regularly participate in independent research projects and present their results at scientific meetings, or coauthor published research articles.
Botany/Zoology double major Marissa Witkovsky '15 measures garlic mustard leaf in the Moore Greenhouse.
Students work at Brown's Lake Bog in Wayne County, Ohio.
Professor Chris Wolverton studies how plants detect and respond to gravity. He uses plant genetics and a specialized monitoring system developed by Professor Wolverton (named "Rotato") for this research. His work is funded by NASA, and it has flown on the International Space Station.
The Schimmel/Conrades Science Center offers top-of-the-line instrumentation, including a scanning transmission electron microscope, for advanced research projects.