Integrative Biology

Chair: John G. Swallow
Associate Chair: Diana F. Tomback
Program Assistant: Barbara Schmidt, Barbara McClure
Administrative Assistant: Jacki Craig
Undergraduate BS Program Director: Kimberly F. Regier
Graduate MS Program Director: Timberley M. Roane
Graduate PhD Program Director: John Freed
Health Careers Advising: Charles A. Ferguson, Kent Nofsinger, Trishia Vasquez, Denise Leberer
BA/BS-MD Program Coordinator: Trishia Vasquez
Lab Coordinator: James Salmen
Office: Science, 2071
Telephone: 303-556-8440
Fax: 303-556-4352
Website: clas.ucdenver.edu/biology/

Undergraduate Program

Graduate Program

Faculty

Professors:

Daniel J. Howard, PhD, Yale University

Roderick Nairn, PhD, University of London

Barry Shur, PhD, Johns Hopkins University

Bradley J. Stith, PhD, Washington State University

Diana F. Tomback, PhD, University of California, Santa Barbara

Associate Professors:

Leo P. Bruederle, PhD, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Greg Cronin, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Charles A. Ferguson, PhD, University of Colorado

Michael J. Greene, PhD, Oregon State University

Timberley M. Roane, PhD, University of Arizona

Assistant Professors:

Amanda Charlesworth, PhD, University College, London

Raibatak Das, PhD, Cornell University

Laurel Hartley, PhD, Colorado State University

Aaron M. Johnson, PhD, Arizona State University

Christopher S. Miller, PhD, University of California Los Angelos

Christopher J. Phiel, PhD, Thomas Jefferson University

Alan Vajda, PhD, University of Colorado

Michael Wunder, PhD, Colorado State University

Senior Instructors:

Hannah Anchordoquy, PhD, University of Colorado

Aimee Bernard, PhD, University of Rochester

Cheri A. Jones, PhD, University of Florida

David Knochel, PhD, University of Colorado

Kent Nofsinger, MD, University of Kansas School of Medicine

Instructor:

Kimberly F. Regier, MA, University of Colorado

Emeritus Faculty:

Gerald Audesirk, PhD, California Institute of Technology

Teresa E. Audesirk, PhD, University of Southern California

Linda K. Dixon, PhD, University of Illinois

Georgia E. Lesh-Laurie, PhD, Case Western Reserve University

Undergraduate

Biology is the study of life, and integrative biology emphasizes the study and understanding of living organisms at different levels of organization—from cell and molecular to the biosphere. We teach biology students core information that serves as a foundation for advanced study and professional training. This basic knowledge includes concepts central to our understanding of molecular biology, as well as the relationship between structure and function, and the genetic mechanisms of inheritance. In addition, biology students are educated in cell biology and genetics, as well as the technological breakthroughs that have led to discoveries in these fields. They learn how organisms adapt to diverse environments and about energy flow and nutrient cycles through ecosystems, worldwide biodiversity and how ecological function can be altered by human impacts.

In the process of learning core information, biology students become well-versed in the critical skill sets of science: understanding and applying the scientific method and learning to understand and critically evaluate the current scientific literature. The biology major builds a solid foundation for professional careers in health and medicine; for academic, government, non-profit or private sector careers in a wide range of disciplines from ecology and the environment to cell and molecular biology; and for fulfilling careers in secondary school science education. Students planning a teaching career should consult the Teacher Education Program description in the School of Education & Human Development for information on teaching licensure.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR

^Top

Additional Information

Students with transfer credits in biology from other institutions should consult an undergraduate major advisor in the department for transfer credit and/or proper placement. Transfer credit from community college courses will not fulfill the requirements for upper-division semester hours or electives. Biology students seeking credit through AP (Advanced Placement), CLEP (College Level Examination Program) and/or IB (International Baccalaureate, Diploma Programme) should refer to the transfer tables (AP , CLEP , IB ) in the Information for Undergraduate Students chapter of this catalog, as well as consult an undergraduate major advisor in the department for proper placement.

Departmental Honors. Departmental honors will be awarded to students based on their GPA in classes taken from Downtown Campus faculty. The following minimum GPA must be met both for all courses taken at UC Denver (overall GPA) and for biology courses alone (biology GPA): cum laude, 3.5; magna cum laude, 3.7; summa cum laude, 3.9.

Biology Research Scholars. The biology faculty encourages students to pursue research as part of their undergraduate education. Students who excel in both course work and research will be recognized as UC Denver biology research scholars. To qualify as biology research scholars, students must fulfill all of the following requirements: (1) achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5 in courses taken from Downtown Campus faculty; (2) participate in a research project consisting of a minimum of 6 semester hours of independent study, taken over at least two semesters; (3) write a paper describing the rationale, methodology and results of their research; and (4) present a seminar or poster based on their research. Students who wish to become involved in research should contact the chair of the department no later than their junior year.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MINOR

Biotechnology Certificate

To serve the needs of students who wish to obtain recognition for the acquisition of specialized skills in biology and to prepare students for graduate school, health careers and jobs in industry, the Department of Integrative Biology offers a certificate program in biotechnology. Upon completion of the required courses (21 to 22 semester hours), including independent study or internship, the student will be awarded a certificate and receive the biotechnology certificate on their transcript. The certificate may be completed in addition to an undergraduate or graduate degree or as a stand-alone certificate. For complete information, see the Biotechnology Certificate description.

Graduate

MS in Biology

The MS in Biology program offers students the opportunity to receive advanced training and research experience in an area of specialization of one of our nationally and internationally recognized faculty members. The master’s program is designed to prepare graduate students for careers in research and teaching; for employment in business, industry and government; for existing career advancement; and for continuing post-baccalaureate work in PhD and professional programs. Students in the program specialize in fields ranging from cell and molecular biology to ecology and evolution.

The master’s program has two tracks: research (thesis) and course work (non-thesis). The course work track is reserved primarily for teachers and career professionals requiring additional background for career advancement. For both tracks, applicants to the master’s in biology program must have a declared area of specialization that aligns with the research focus of a biology graduate faculty member. Faculty expertise can be found under graduate faculty profiles on the Department of Integrative Biology website. Students must contact prospective faculty advisors to determine if openings are available within the faculty member’s program.

BIOLOGY MS REQUIREMENTS

PhD in Integrative and Systems Biology

The PhD program in Integrative and Systems Biology at the University of Colorado Denver is a multidisciplinary, dual campus program that offers students opportunities to address complex questions in biology using computational, laboratory and field approaches. The more than 40 program faculty members allow students to participate on a diversity of projects at all levels of biological organization, ranging from ecology and environmental microbiology to biochemistry, developmental biology and neuroscience. Depending on the track an incoming student chooses, the approach will either be to explore the problem at multiple levels of biological organization (integrative biology) or to explore the multi-component nature of a biological system (systems biology).

INTEGRATIVE AND SYSTEMS BIOLOGY PhD REQUIREMENTS

^Top

Return to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences