Chair: John G. Swallow
Associate Chair: Amanda Charlesworth
Program Assistants: Barbara Schmidt, Barbara McClure
Administrative Assistant: Jacki Craig
Undergraduate BS Program Director: Kimberly F. Regier
Graduate MS Program Director: Alan Vajda
Graduate PhD Program Director: Alan Vajda
Lab Coordinator: James Salmen, Munira Lantz, Sladjana Subotic, Enrique Karr
Office: Science, 2071
Telephone: 303-315-7600
Fax: 303-315-7601

Faculty

Professors:
Roderick Nairn, PhD, University of London
Bradley J. Stith, PhD, Washington State University
John G. Swallow PhD, University of Wisconsin Madison
Diana F. Tomback, PhD, University of California Santa Barbara

Associate Professors:
Alan Vajda, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
Amanda Charlesworth, PhD, University College, London
Greg Cronin, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Michael J. Greene, PhD, Oregon State University
Laurel Hartley, PhD, Colorado State University
Timberley M. Roane, PhD, University of Arizona
Michael Wunder, PhD, Colorado State University 
Christopher J. Phiel, PhD, Thomas Jefferson University

Assistant Professors:
Gregory Ragland, PhD, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Christopher S. Miller, PhD, University of California Los Angeles
Annika Mosier, PhD, Stanford University
Brian Buma, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
Carlos Infante, PhD, Harvard University

Senior Instructors:
Hannah Anchordoquy, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
Laurel Beck, PhD, Michigan State University
Cheri A. Jones, PhD, University of Florida
David Knochel, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
Kimberly F. Regier, EdD, University of Colorado Denver 
Gene Brooks, DDS, University of Missouri
Lisa Johansen, PhD, University of Alabama 
Molly Nepokroeff, PhD, University of Wisconsin Madison

Clinical Assistant Professor:
Tod Duncan, PhD, University College London

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.

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

Click here  for more information about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Biotechnology.

Additional Information for undergradute students:

Transfer courses

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 ), 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, 3.500; magna cum laude, 3.700; summa cum laude, 3.900.

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, 4840 or 4880), 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. Christopher Phiel no later than their junior year, and preferably sooner.

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 (17-20 semester hours), including directed research and 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 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.