GENERAL INFORMATION: Biology is of fundamental importance in a liberal arts education because it provides the student with a keener insight into a deeper education of the many facets of living systems. For the non-science major, biology often serves as the only introduction to science and methods employed in scientific endeavors. For both non-majors and majors alike, a study of biology may provide life-long avocational interests. Those who major in biology are provided with a broad background into the science of life.

The Department of Biology's 31 faculty members all hold doctoral degrees and have collective expertise in virtually all areas of modern biology. Teaching and counseling students are the first priority for the College of Charleston faculty. In addition to this, the faculty is involved in research, including such areas as plant and animal molecular biology, nematode worm reproduction, insect biology, inner ear evolution in terrestrial and marine mammals, fish and invertebrate ecology, salamander competition and predation, molluscan genetics, satellite imaging of oceans, coral reef ecology, marine invertebrate physiology, developmental biology of fishes and invertebrates and its genetic regulation, taxonomy of marine algae, interactions between physical oceano-graphic phenomena and marine organisms, effects of habitat fragmentation on plant ecology, marine sediment-animal interactions, and evolutionary relationships and biogeography of fishes and invertebrates. The diversity of these research interests translates into a diversity of information available to College of Charleston students, from molecular biology to the functioning of such ecosystems as salt marshes and coral reefs.

The Department of Biology offers (1) a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology, (2) a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Marine Biology, both of which prepare students for advanced study, (3) a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Biology, which allows students who are not professionally oriented to pursue Biology, and (4) a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with an emphasis in Molecular Biology. A Master of Science (M. Sc.) degree in Marine Biology is also part of the curriculum. A biology degree is not only valuable for advanced studies but also provides a background for the pursuit of a variety of careers such as those in teaching, marine biology, medical and biological research, allied health services, fisheries biology, forestry, wildlife biology, horticulture, sales, industrial quality control, pollution control, museum work, and land-use planning. An Environmental Studies Minor is available for those students wishing to enhance their Bachelor's degrees. Through the University of Charleston, the institution also offers a Master's degree in Environmental Studies in cooperation with the Medical University of South Carolina.

The Department of Biology has extensive facilities in the Science Center, the Grice Marine Laboratory (GML) at Ft. Johnson, and various other facilities in downtown Charleston. Undergraduate courses are taught at all locations. The Science Center facilities include 13 teaching laboratories for general biological, zoological, botanical, microbiological, and physiological courses, a reading/computer room, offices, and equipment areas. Facilities at the Grice Marine Laboratory include a classroom, one large teaching laboratory, aquarium and collection rooms, graduate student dormitory space, and smaller laboratories for student research. The Coles Building (Wentworth Annex A) houses Human Anatomy and Human Physiology laboratories as well as offices for faculty and adjunct faculty. The Kress Building (Wentworth Annex B) houses ecology and animal behavior laboratories. Additional faculty and adjunct faculty offices and a research laboratory are located at 45 Coming Street (across from the Science Center).

Several library facilities are located in the Charleston area. They include the Robert Scott Small library at the College of Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) library, the Marine Resources Research Institute library at Ft. Johnson, The Citadel library, and the Charleston County Public libraries.

Go to homepage for Department of Biology.