Department of Biology

Kent Gallaher, Professor and Department Chair
James T. Arnett, Professor
C. Phillip Choate, Professor
Beth Conway, Associate Professor
Tamera Klingbyll, Instructor

John S. Lewis, Assistant Professor
Jon Lowrance, Professor
Florah Mhlanga, Professor
Bonny Millimaki, Assistant Professor
Mary Sledge, Professor
Amanda Williams, Instructor

The mission of the Department of Biology at Lipscomb University is to enable the student to develop a basic understanding of and an appreciation for the biological world. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of those students who plan to enter graduate and professional schools, those who plan to teach and those who plan biology-oriented careers. The department will encourage critical thinking skills and help students integrate a working knowledge of biology with associated sciences in order to achieve their career goals via an educational experience presented in the context of a Christian world view.

Distinctives of the Biology Department

The department is housed in a fully-equipped facility offering a wide range of courses and laboratory experiences. Students interested in research are given opportunities in investigative laboratory experiences in specifically designed courses, independent projects guided through faculty research interests, senior honors thesis projects and summer research internships sponsored by the biology department or other universities. In addition to laboratory experiences, the department offers several field-oriented experiences including specific courses and summer programs in field biology and environmental science.

Career Opportunities

The department offers a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in biology, biology for teacher certification and molecular biology. Students are prepared for post-graduate work in a wide range of biological

fields such as molecular biology, genetics, ecology and environmental sciences. In addition, many students pursue careers in health care fields such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, pharmacy, nursing, physician assistant programs and other allied health professions. Among recent graduates, 87 have attended medical school, 17 attended dental school, 35 attended pharmacy school, five attended veterinary school and seven enrolled in doctoral programs. The department’s curriculum is relevant and rigorous with a faculty interested in assisting the students in achieving their career goals in a highly competitive world. Students graduating with a degree in biology have a wide variety of career opportunities available.

The graduates of the Department of Biology have distinguished themselves in many ways and are presently utilizing their training in the following areas:

• Medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, veterinary, medical technology and medically-allied schools

• Advanced degrees in biology and related fields

• Administrators, research assistants and technologists at clinics, state health laboratories, hospitals and research centers

• Surgical assistants

• Teaching at junior and senior colleges, universities and medical schools

• High school teaching

• Sales representatives for pharmaceutical firms

• Science education coordinators for state departments of education

• Biomedical librarians

• Biomedical law

• Medical secretaries

• Environmentalists, foresters, conservationists and wildlife biologists for state and federal governments

• Biologists for industry

Department of Biology

Distinctives of the Biology Department

Career Opportunities

Program of Study Requirements