Department of Biology

Christina Bauer, The Chester and Olive McCloskey Endowed Chair in Chemistry
Jenny Link
Cinzia Fissore, The Roy E. and Marie G. Campbell Professor of Biology 
David N.M. Mbora,   The James Irvine Foundation Professor of Biology 
Hector Valenzuela
Sylvia Vetrone, Chair, The Fletcher Jones Professor of Molecular Genetics   

The Biology major at Whittier College is designed to produce graduates with a strong background and appreciation of the organization and complexity of living systems with regard to the relationship between structure and function of the levels of the cell, organism, and population within the context of developing problem solving, critical thinking, experimental design, and communication skills. These skills prepare our graduating majors for post undergraduate study, and careers in education, research, public health, allied health services and professions, biotechnology, consulting, and non-profit and governmental agencies. The major emphasizes the process of “doing science” in addition to learning to use instrumentation to make measurements, to analyze and interpret data, and to place findings in the larger context of published science. Faculty work closely with students to help them develop research skills through inquiry-based learning, and outside coursework through undergraduate research. Courses regularly take advantage of the nearby San Gabriel Mountains and the Mojave and Sonoran deserts and the Pacific Coast. An extensive wildlife preserve adjacent to the college in the Puente Hills also provides an outdoor laboratory. Other courses take advantage of the well-equipped a laboratory settingsettings explore molecular to physiological research questions.

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Department of Biology

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