Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Concentration in Marine Biology

Life’s funny, isn’t it? That’s one thing people say. Or amazing. Or chaotic, beautiful, unfair, and too short. But a biologist says that life is discoverable. Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, environmental service, molecular genetics, virology, botany, ecology, marine biology, microbiology, physiology, zoology—our program is the first step toward all of these fields and more. Whether your interest is micro or macro, we’ll turn you into an expert-level life scientist.

In your first two years, you’ll take the four core biology courses. Two of these classes are linked with labs so that as you learn the fundamental concepts of the biological sciences, you’ll also get some hands-on field experiences. Click here to view the Major Sheet and DPCL Forms.

Here’s a sample of what you can expect to learn and do:

• Biology of Fishes

This course emphasizes functional morphology, sensory biology, physiology, reproduction, behavior, ecology, and conservation. You will learn a good deal about the taxonomy and natural history of common southeastern freshwater and marine fishes through fieldtrips and laboratory study of collected specimens. You will boldly go where most terrestrial biologists avoid!

• Conservation Biology

The study of the conservation of biodiversity based in the principles of ecology, evolution, and genetics. The primary goal of this course is to understand natural ecological systems in the context of a human dominated world to learn to best maintain biological diversity in concert with an exploding human population. This is accomplished through lecture, group discussion, and videos.

• Tropical Ecology

This course examines biology, ecology, and conservation of flora and fauna of tropical ecosystems. The co-requisite laboratory for this course involves a fieldtrip abroad to a country such as Belize, Ecuador, Honduras, or Panama to experience first-hand the unique natural history and unparalleled biodiversity of tropical ecosystems. Tropical Ecology incorporates an intense study abroad component and service learning.

In fulfilling its mission to provide all Loyola students with a foundation in knowledge through teaching and scholarship within and across the liberal arts and sciences, the College of Arts & Sciences educates students to lead meaningful lives with and for others; to appreciate and contribute to global cultures; to think critically and make decisions for the common good; and to have a commitment to the Jesuit tradition of a life of justice, service, and intellectual engagement.

It is the mission of the college to contribute to the expansion of knowledge through the scholarly and creative activities of its faculty and students.