Integrative Biology
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
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About Integrative Biology
What is Integrative Biology?
Biology is a natural science that focuses on the study of life. It is an integral part of health and environmental sciences, but also informs art, design, engineering, law and more. This program integrates these facets while incorporating perspectives on the structure, function, life history, evolution, distribution, identification and naming of organisms.
Why Choose This Program?
If you are interested in the diversity of life on earth, this program is for you.
Our Integrative Biology program is designed to help you understand and learn to apply the scientific process. During your studies, you will also acquire transferable skills through the practice of biological inquiry. The program focuses on studying biology structure, function, development, classification, ecology and evolution across three levels of biological organization (cells, organisms, and ecosystems).
Major Map
View what studying in this program could look like each year, from courses to experiential learning to career development.
Program Information
Degree
Bachelor of Science
Major
Integrative Biology
Specializations
- Chemistry
- Physics
Minors (Optional)
- Management
- Music
Students in this program are eligible for 150+ Augustana awards (totalling over $490,000)
Low 70s program admission-average range
Study at the Augustana Miquelon Lake Research Station
Program Objectives
In this program, you will:
- Develop an understanding of the scientific process through biological inquiry.
- Apply the process of scientific inquiry to construct testable hypotheses, create and implement study design, and interpret and communicate research findings.
- Nurture your care and respect for the diversity of life and evolutionary processes on earth.
Learning Outcomes
You will leave this program with the ability to:
- Explain the mechanisms and history of evolution, and articulate how development produces the traits that are subject to evolution.
- Analyze how biological structures relate to biological functions that help organisms solve different survival problems (i.e., their adaptations).
- Evaluate the relevance of biological concepts in applied disciplines of the life sciences such as health and environmental sciences, along with their broader societal significance.
Careers
An undergraduate degree in Integrative Biology is great for entry into the workforce or graduate and professional programs. Potential career options include:
Course Highlights
An exploration of basic concepts and methods in ecology and of the relevance of ecological thinking in the life sciences. Emphasis is on both biotic and abiotic interactions at the level of the organism, including physiological and evolutionary perspectives, and on their consequences on the composition and diversity of ecological populations and communities within ecosystems.
Mendelian inheritance and its cytological features including the molecular and cellular basis for the transmission of hereditary characteristics. Topics that are emphasized include microbial genetics, cytoplasmic inheritance, linkage and genetic mapping, DNA as genetic material, gene action, and the genetic code.
Introduction to the prokaryotic members of the microbial world. Microbiological diversity will be examined by comparing cellular morphology, structure and metabolism. Topics include how to grow and study microbes, classification approaches and problems, control of microbial growth, pathogenesis and microbial ecology.
Development of complex organisms. Emphasis is on the interactions between cells and their environment that determine cell survival, gene activation and deactivation; and how specific cell and tissue structures and functions are selected. Developmental processes common to plants and animals are identified.
Introduction to key concepts and methods in animal behaviour. Both mechanistic and evolutionary points of view are considered. Topics include genetics, developmental processes, learning, neurobiology and physiology, cultural transmission, communication, foraging and habitat use, social behaviour, parental care, mating and personality.
More courses in the
Featured Faculty
Ivy Schoepf
Ivy Schoepf is a professor of integrative biology and teaches courses in evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology and conservation biology. She works with wildlife directly in the field researching host-parasite coevolution, human-wildlife conflicts and extreme weather responses.
