Biology

Contact Us

Matthew Jones-Rhoades

Chair & Associate Professor of Biology

2 East South Street

Galesburg, IL 61401

309-341-7477

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B.A., B.S., Minor

We have excellent resources. We have research centers for microscopy, cell and tissue culture, and cell and molecular biology. In addition, students have access to an aquarium, an aviary, and the Green Oaks Biological Field Station—704 acres of forest, grassland, aquatic habitat, and the second site in the nation where a tallgrass prairie was restored.
We cover the breadth of biology. Coursework covers topics from the molecular level to the furthest reaches of the field, including interdisciplinary work in specialized topics. For students who are considering a professional career or graduate school in the sciences, 51�Թ�� also offers a bachelor of science degree, providing a more comprehensive undergraduate experience in biology and the natural sciences.
We excel in undergraduate research. Kelli Huebner ’13 used imaging technology to study the development of African clawed frogs. Brianna McCracken ’12 studied mate choice in zebra finches and presented her research at the national meeting of the Animal Behavior Society. Michael Belitz ’14 studied differences in invertebrate species diversity in restored prairies that varied in size and age.
We study abroad. Our students study everywhere, from biomedicine in Denmark to environmental field research in Costa Rica.
We explore life after 51�Թ�� through internships. Our biology students have interned throughout the region at aquariums and zoos, and in emergency health care, physical therapy, and more.
Our Grads Find Success. Shaunak Mulani ’12 earned a medical degree at George Washington University and is now a resident physician in University of Florida's internal medicine program. Sean Kahrhoff ’97 is a wildlife biologist in Portland, Oregon. Sasha Murphy ’11 is working as an optometrist in Chicago. Alison Snyder-Warwick ’00 works as a pediatric plastic surgeon at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Adrienne Ernst ’15 is a Ph.D. student in plant conservation at Northwestern University. Chris Miles ’01 is a professor of sports medicine at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

$74,457

Estimated Salary of Alumni with Biology Degrees

Career Outcomes

The Value of Research in Our Biology Department

Where We Learn

51�Թ��'s biology program gives you access to state-of-the-art facilities—and hands-on use of them early in your 51�Թ�� career—to ensure success in graduate school and careers in biology.

Hunter Biology Wing
Located in Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center, the Hunter Biology Wing is devoted entirely to extensive facilities for biology classes, lab sessions and student and faculty research projects.

Our biology classes all have dedicated laboratory space, meaning students can set up your lab projects and return to them without having to close up shop each time. You'll work with scanning electron microscopes and electron transmission microscopes, possibly as early as your first year at 51�Թ�� -- an opportunity unrivaled by institutions of 51�Թ��'s size.

Research Opportunities
Our special research centers provide students and faculty engaged in research access to state-of-the-art equipment.

We have a complete microscopy lab that holds transmission and scanning electron microscopes, a time-lapse video/Nomarski microscope, a darkroom and host of specimen preparation equipment.
Facilities for Cell and Tissue Culture
Facilities for Cell and Molecular Biology
Facilities for Marine Biology in the Aquarium Room

Other Resources
51�Թ�� students also have hands-on access to:

The Ellen Browning Scripps Greenhouse, which contains an excellent collection of exotic plants used for teaching. It also offers space for student research projects.
The Natural History Collection, consisting of The 51�Թ�� Herbarium, which holds plants that were present when Illinois' settlers arrived in the 1830's-1870's -- one of the best such collections in the state.
The Hurd Museum, which contains more than 1,000 specimens of vertebrate animals from Illinois and around the world. The museum has an especially strong collection of local birds and mammals.

Green Oaks Field Station
One of the most unique educational resources at 51�Թ�� is Green Oaks Field Station, a 700-acre preserve located just 18 miles from campus. Learn more about Green Oaks.