Integrative Biology

Chair: John G. Swallow
Associate Chair: Diana F. Tomback
Program Assistants: Barbara Schmidt, Barbara McClure
Administrative Assistant: Jacki Craig
Undergraduate BS Program Director: Kimberly F. Regier
Graduate MS Program Director: Michael Wunder
Graduate PhD Program Director: Michael Greene
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

Faculty

Professors:
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 Boulder
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 Angeles
Annika Mosier, PhD, Stanford University
Christopher J. Phiel, PhD, Thomas Jefferson University
Alan Vajda, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
Michael Wunder, PhD, Colorado State University

Senior Instructors:
Hannah Anchordoquy, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
Aimee Bernard, PhD, University of Rochester
Tod Duncan, PhD, University College, London
Cheri A. Jones, PhD, University of Florida
David Knochel, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
Kent Nofsinger, MD, University of Kansas School of Medicine

Instructor:
Kimberly F. Regier, MA, University of Colorado Denver

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 Information

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.

Click here for more information about the requirements for a Major in Biology.

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 Admissions section 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 CU 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 CU Denver Biology Research Scholars or Research Associates.

To qualify for the Research Scholars Program, you must:

achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.500 in all courses taken from CU Denver faculty, as well as in all CU Denver biology courses
participate in a research project, consisting of a minimum of six credit hours of independent study (BIOL 2840, 3840, or 4840), taken over at least two semesters
write a scientific paper describing the research
present an oral or poster presentation summarizing your research

To qualify for the Research Associates Program, you must:

achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.500 in all courses taken from CU Denver faculty, as well as in all CU Denver biology courses
participate in a research project, consisting of a minimum of three credit hours of independent study (BIOL 2840, 3840, or 4840), taken over at least two semesters
write a scientific paper describing the research or present an oral or poster presentation summarizing your research

Students who wish to become involved in research should contact Dr. Leo Bruederle no later than their junior year, and preferably sooner.

Click here for more information about the requirements for a Minor in Biology.

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 Information

Please go to the Graduate catalog to read about our graduate programs.