Biology Department

Biology encompasses areas ranging from molecular biology to ecosystem ecology. This breadth is reflected in our curriculum and in faculty and student research. Our joint mission of teaching and research strongly complement each other and provide students with an educational experience of very high quality.

Mission & Vision Statement

In support of the mission of Western Washington University and the College of Sciences and Technology, the mission of the Biology Department is to provide an outstanding learning environment that integrates education, scholarship, and service in order to actively engage students in the biological sciences and foster their development as lifelong learners. Successful graduates of our Department will understand fundamental biological principles in depth, will have laboratory and field skills to answer biological questions, will have enhanced critical thinking and quantitative skills, will be able to communicate precisely and analytically in written and oral forms, and will be able to engage independently and collaboratively to be thoughtful and productive contributors to society.

News

Promotions in the Biology Department

Please join us in congratulating our colleagues on their recent well-deserved promotions: Alejandro Acevedo-Gutiérrez to Full Professor, Marion Brodhagen to Associate Professor, and Mary Ann Merrill to Administrative Manager B!!!

Peterson & Otto Contribution

Drs. Merrill Peterson and Joann Otto have made a contribution to the book, A Treatise on the Western Hemisphere Caraboidea (Coleoptera) Their classifications, distributions, and ways of life, Volume III (Carabidae-Loxomeriformes, Melaeniformes) by Terry L. Erwin.

Dr. Otto found the beetle on San Juan Island, WA and Dr. Peterson identified and photographed the living beetle, Zacotus matthewsii LeConte. The image is featured on Plate 65 of the publication.

Anderson's Lizard Photograph in ScienceShot

Dr. Roger Anderson's Florida scrub lizard photograph in recent ScienceShot article.

Faculty Research Lobby Display Winter 2012

Our winter quarter lobby display highlights the research of the following biology department faculty:

*Haliclystus*
Photo by Dr. Benjamin Miner

*Crotaphytus bicinctores*
Photo: Collared Lizard, *Crotaphytus bicinctores* by Dr. Roger Anderson in Oregon Great Basin Desert

microbial community — *Microbial community*
Photo by Sean McAllister '08 Biology - Cell Emphasis, '11 M.S

Helpful Links

Fall 2013 Biology Undergraduate Registration Information

Biology Department Override Request Form (Web submit)

2013-1014 Biology Course Schedule

Biology FAQs

Fall 2013 Openings for Graduate Students

First Day Attendance Policy

Department Waitlist Policy

Faculty & Graduate TA Contact Information & Office Hours