Biology

Biology investigates life processes at the molecular, cellular, organismal, population, and ecosystem levels. Biology is a science that demands a knowledge and application of chemical, physical, and mathematical principles. The study of biology helps all students to understand the nature of science and the process of scientific inquiry.

Southwestern College's biology department offers a balanced program in field and laboratory science. Students have the opportunity to develop close working relationships with biology professors in the classroom, laboratory, and in the field.

The curriculum is inclusive of a wide range of sub-disciplines that challenge students and empower them to acquire the concepts and scientific problem-solving skills necessary to pursue careers in research, the health professions, education, environmental science, conservation, and other related fields. It provides students with a solid foundation of biological principles and at the same time offers students of varied backgrounds the opportunity to explore specialized topics that meet their needs and interests. The biology curriculum at Southwestern College also assists in meeting the specific needs of other disciplines and serves preparatory programs in secondary teaching, nursing, and social work.

A number of the courses in the curriculum focus on the investigative nature of biology. Lectures and discussions examine the interpretation of data, experimental design, and specific readings from the scientific literature. Laboratory and field work emphasizes experimentation, student-designed research projects, and class projects.

SC Biology Field Station

One of the most fun and unique learning opportunities at SC happens when the Biology Lab takes students out to the SC Biology Field Station.

The Norman Hege Educational Center at Southwestern College's Floyd and Edna Moore Biological Field Station is located on Dutch Creek and affords SC students a variety of hands-on experiences for labs and experiments.

In addition to the several acres of tall-grass prairie and direct access to Dutch Creek, the property also has a log cabin containing a large classroom which is completely off the grid, generating its own power using solar panels and a wind turbine.