About Our Department
Welcome to the Department of Biological Sciences! We are a research-颅intensive department that also plays an important teaching role within the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. We have state-颅of-颅the-颅art research and teaching facilities located in the Wolfe Hall and Bowman-颅Oddy buildings on the Main Campus of The University of Toledo.
Our research programs revolve around the molecular and cell biology of eukaryotic
organisms, focusing on development and function in both normal and disease states. Specific areas include:- germ cell formation and the partitioning of centrioles into sperm, critical for male fertility
- cytoskeletal and chromosomal dynamics in cell division, important in development and cancer
- development of differentiated adult structures such as the intestinal brush border, plant cell walls, muscle attachments and intricately-颅wired neural circuits
- the function of neural circuits controlling locomotion, sensation and fear responses
- immunology and host-颅pathogen interactions focusing on cell signaling in the immune system, viruses, oral fungal infections in humans and parasitic nematodes
- signaling pathways in cancer cells that drive uncontrolled cell growth and the metastatic spread of tumors throughout the body
These programs are funded by national research grants (e.g. DOD, NIH, NSF, USDA) and provide an excellent opportunity for students at all levels to become involved in biomedical research.
We offer both the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) undergraduate
degrees. The B.S. degree in Biology is well suited for students considering medicine and other health professions (e.g.
dentistry, veterinary practice, etc.), as well as students considering a research
career. We are highly successful placing students in Medical Schools with a >75% admission
rate for students with a 3.5 or higher GPA. Qualified students may also work for the
'Honors in Biology' citation within the B.S. degree. The B.A. degree in Biology is designed as an alternative pathway, ideal for students pursuing dual major programs
in other colleges or considering careers in Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic Medicine
and other areas requiring only a subset of the B.S. core course work.听
The B.S. in Neuroscience is a newly added major in the Department of Biological Sciences. The Ohio Department of Higher Education officially approved the program in the 2022 fall semester. Neuroscience is undergoing explosive growth and is making significant inroads into addressing Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, Parkinson鈥檚 disease, depression, drug addiction and many other neurological disorders. The program is jointly administered by our department in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the Department of Neuroscience in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. In addition to the combined expertise of outstanding faculty in both departments, students benefit from the synergy the two departments and the two colleges have invested in the joint program!
In ALL degree programs we offer externship opportunities to work with Ohio life sciences-based companies and the opportunity to study abroad through the 兔子先生传媒文化作品-Salford Exchange Program. Our research program contributes an important synergy within these degree programs by providing research training and the opportunity to conduct authentic cutting-edge scientific inquiry at the undergraduate level. The degree of access to undergraduate research is unique in Northwest Ohio and significantly enhances the educational experience and professional development of pre-professional and research-oriented students.
Also for undergraduates, we offer several 'pipeline' programs that prepare students
for exciting, high-颅demand jobs in the life sciences. The Bioinformatics BS-颅MS program is a five-颅year dual-颅degree program which trains students to analyze large data sets generated by genome sequencing activities.
Employment opportunities have been excellent for our graduating students! With the ever-颅decreasing costs of genome sequencing, personalized medicine, based
on each individual's genomic sequence, is poised to become a standard part of medical
care. The Bioinformatics BS-颅MS program trains students to take full advantage of
these exciting new opportunities. We also offer a Medical Laboratory Science pipeline program. This fully accredited program includes 3 years of baccalaureate course-颅work and
12 months of clinical training, including a 21-week externship and prepares students
for the Medical Laboratory Scientist certification exam. Medical Laboratory Scientists are well paid and in high demand nationwide! (Additional BS-MS pipeline programs are under review and will be available in the coming
years.)
We also offer a vibrant graduate program with M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Graduate students, the majority of whom receive tuition waivers and stipends, carry
out laboratory research under the direct guidance of a faculty member, publishing
their results in top biomedical journals. Our Ph.D. students have gone on to prestigious
postdoctoral appointments and many have subsequently become independent scientists
at academic institutions, govenment agencies or biotech companies. Our M.S. students
have gone on to employment in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Graduate
students participate in Departmental Seminars, the Annual Graduate Research Symposium
and career development activities designed to prepare them for careers in the life
sciences after graduation.
Whether your career plans include the health care professions, research or other scientific fields, at the undergraduate or graduate level, the Department of Biological Sciencers is an exciting, welcoming, student-颅centered place to be!