DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
Biology degrees at Akron
BIOLOGY WORK OPPORTUNITIES
Visit us!
We have special visit days planned, as well as other opportunities for you to see all that Akron has to offer!
Dispatch from Tahiti
UA students researched geckos and fish in Tahiti as part of a 2019 vertebrate zoology course.
Student's voice: Why Akron for biology?
Logan Usher
“The Department of Biology at Akron is absolutely fantastic and is so more than just classes. The opportunity to work with professors on research has completely defined my undergraduate career. One thing that really helps the process of getting involved with research is the Tiered Mentoring program. I got involved in the summer between my sophomore and junior years, and I have stuck with the lab since. Tiered mentoring pairs an undergraduate student with a graduate student of a lab and allows them to work on research, then help the next group of undergraduates learn as well. I’m currently working with Dr. Astley on snake locomotion and biomechanics and it has taught me so much about the research process, technology and how to work with animals. Plus, the Tiered mentoring program has options for anyone in biology, from working with bones and cadavers, to zebrafish or bacteria! I couldn’t recommend a program more for how much it has helped me develop professionally and how much fun it has been!”
UNDERGRADUATE BIOLOGY RESEARCH IN FACULTY LABS
In the Renna Lab, undergraduate students like Dan Vicarel record signals from living neurons and investigate the effects of light on the formation of functional connections between the retina and various visuals centers of the brain. We target specific populations of neurons and characterize their maturation using cutting edge genetic, molecular, and electrophysiological techniques.
GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: Bill Hsiung
"My interests in science stemmed from a little boy’s fascination with dinosaurs. The novels ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Lost World’ by Michael Crichton further drove me to study molecular biology and genetic engineering, and once had me believe that we could solve most human problems (i.e. cure diseases) through the power of biotechnology.
"However, a personal setback related to a health issue had me second doubt that idea.
"During that same period of time, I learned about Biomimicry through Janine Benyus’s TEDTalks, and it opened up my eyes. I entered the Integrated Bioscience Ph.D. program at The University of Akron because it is the first and only program around the world that offers a track to advanced biomimicry study and research at the Ph.D. level.
"Sponsored by the Sherwin-Williams Company, and co-advised by Dr. Blackledge (spiders) and Dr. Shawkey (avian colors), the goal of my doctoral research was to solve human problems by advancing fundamental research through biomimicry. Hence, I focused on studying how colors are produced in spiders along with their potential technical applications.""
Biology offers many career paths
UA’s Biology Department is diverse and vibrant. We have an array of biology courses that serve students seeking to go on to pre-professional schools (medicine, veterinary, dental and pharmacy), students interested in Zoology, Microbiology or Botany, students pursuing a master's in biology or going on to graduate schools, and current graduate students (Master’s and PhD). We have 16 tenure-track faculty, with interests ranging from neurobiology to pregnancy to plant/animal interactions. We serve ~500 undergraduate and ~75 graduate students.
The Biology Department offers engaging biology majors with over 75 undergraduate classes encompassing medicine, microbiology, physiology, zoology and ecology. Biology is a hands-on discipline, and our courses are reflective of our commitment to field and laboratory experiences. Many of our classes have laboratory components, including many field courses. Additionally, we offer summer biology courses to the Bahamas, Virginia Beach, and Maine for marine biology classes.
Our upper-division courses average ~15 students, allowing unfettered access to our faculty. Additionally, our vibrant graduate program allows research opportunities for our students, who can apply up to 6 independent research credits towards their B.S. degrees. Such opportunities propel our students on to success: in 2015, 77% of our graduates were placed in professional or graduate programs while an additional 16% got a job in their field within 6 months of graduation.
We hope you will join us in our continuing exploration of the science of Biology!
What recent undergraduate students are doing
Faculty Research Spotlight
Dr. Andronowski's Research
Research in the Andronowski lab focuses on the high-resolution 3D imaging of bone microstructure and the related study of bone adaptation, aging, and disease. I use virtual histology (e.g., Micro-computed Tomography and synchrotron-based imaging) to study bone in new ways and answer questions related to human anatomy, human health, and forensic anthropology. In applying 3D imaging techniques to examine microscopic features of human compact and spongy bone, we can further understand the process of bone turnover and how it is related to age-associated bone affecting conditions such as osteoporosis, and bone aging in general.
What can we learn by studying how snakes move?
Dr. Henry Astley, assistant professor of biology, describes how his research on how snakes move could help save lives after an earthquake and help with exploration of other planets.