The
goal of the Department
of Biology is to provide each student with the opportunity to
discover for herself the richness and excitement of the life sciences.
Our program offers in-depth laboratory and field experiences, a
broad spectrum of courses, and a supportive learning environment.
Laboratory sections are kept small to enable close faculty/student
interaction.
We
believe the objective of an undergraduate major in biology is to
touch the breadth and depth of the discipline while learning skills,
concepts, and techniques that allow a student to have many options
upon graduation. Our individualized research experience conducted
junior and senior year, for example, has been praised repeatedly
by alumnae for successfully preparing them for a job, professional
school, or a graduate program.
An
atmosphere of encouragement allows each student to achieve her full
potential. All faculty participate in individualized academic and
career guidance throughout the four-year course of study. The diversity
of courses offered in the Department ensures that a student can
tailor her academic training into one of many concentrations.
A major
in Biology prepares a student for medical, dental, veterinary and
other related schools, graduate school, and a diversity of careers
in science-related areas. Saint Mary's graduates have been accepted
at dozens of medical schools and other professional programs across
the country. The students interested in health related careers,
and in particular medical school, receive strong training in the
sciences. The preprofessional advisor offers thorough guidance on
the admissions process.
Examples
of the diverse careers pursued by Biology graduates from Saint Mary's
College include toxicologist, pediatrician, dietitian, veterinarian,
high school biology teacher, exercise physiologist, physician assistant,
optometrist, surgeon, hospital sales, naturalist, research scientist,
zoology professor, environmental specialist, pharmacologist, speech
pathologist, marketing representative for scientific equipment,
medical technologist, forensic specialist, physical therapist, occupational
therapist and cytogeneticist.
Periodically
we publish a SMC Biology Newsletter that provides
information about our current students and faculty as well as the
latest news we have received from our alumnae (click
here to access the 2005 edition; older editions are also available:
2004, 2002,
2000, 1999,
1998).
