The Department of Biology at Winthrop University features a challenging but rewarding
curriculum taught by an experienced, enthusiastic faculty. The biology major allows
students to tailor their programs beyond the major's core curriculum to meet their
specific needs.
Biology is frequently chosen by students with career interests related to medicine,
health sciences, botany, zoology, molecular biology, environmental and conservation
biology, teaching and secondary education in the sciences and other careers. Small
classes (averaging 20-24 students in labs) ensure that students have the opportunity
to take advantage of interaction with their instructors.
Degree Programs
Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree and Concentrations Students may choose General Biology or a concentration in Biomedical Research, Conservation
Biology, Medical Technology or obtain Teacher Certification in Secondary Education.
Advising for Pre-Professional Programs Medical technology, Pre-dental, Pre-medicine, Pre-MS/PhD, Pre-occupational therapy,
Pre-osteopath, Pre-pharmacy, Pre-physical therapy, Pre-physician assistant, Pre-Veterinary,
Secondary certification in Biology, and Winthrop Master's Program in Biology.
Minors: Students with other majors can choose to minor in Biology or General Science
Master of Science (MS) Degree: The department also offers coursework and research opportunities with faculty leading
to the MS degree. Students can select either a thesis or a non-thesis option depending
on their needs.
Health Professions Connection Information, resources, and opportunities for students planning on pursuing careers
in the healthcare industry. Currently operating as a Blackboard organization. Full
website coming soon.
Experiential Learning
The department offers excellent experiential learning opportunities through undergraduate research and internships that are important for students planning to attend graduate programs, health profession
programs, biology-related jobs, etc.
Undergraduate Research Students conduct undergraduate research with faculty mentors in well-equipped labs
and/or field study sites, and they present their work at local, regional and national
scientific meetings. Students are also encouraged to present their work at the department
seminar series where they are awarded a lab coat from their faculty mentors. Students
can earn academic credit for research through BIOL 471, 472, and 450H.
Awarding of Lab Coats The Biology Department awards lab coats to students who conduct independent research
with faculty members and present their findings at the department's seminar series.
SEA-PHAGES/SEA-GENES project: A unique opportunity for freshmen to begin their Winthrop undergraduate career by
participating in three semesters of a research project called the SEAPhage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science and the SEA-Gene function Elucidation by a Network of Emerging Scientists.
The research courses are built around a national experiment in bacteriophage genomics
and gene function.
Houk Prize for Best Undergraduate Research Project.
Academic Internships Internships are available and often serve as stepping-stones to employment and entry
into professional careers. Although internships are not required for graduation, they
are encouraged. Students can earn academic credit for interning through BIOL 461 and
463.
Finding Your Future Program at USC We are extremely pleased to offer this shadowing experience. If you are chosen from
a select group of individuals, it is our hope that your time spent with us will fuel
more of your fire to attend USC School of Medicine - Columbia and become a practicing
physician.
Biology Department Seminar Series
Each semester the Biology Department invites scientists and professionals from other
universities, industries, research institutions and government agencies to present
their work to our students and faculty. Many of the speakers also provide information
about graduate and professional programs and/or employment opportunities in their
respective fields.
Seminars are held from 3:30pm to 4:45pm via ZOOM. Any student or faculty member wanting to
attend should contact Dr. Julian Smith at smithj@winthrop.edu. Seminar Series Schedule Spring 2021 (PDF 60.1KB)
Bugs, Bugs and More Bugs Dr. Paula Mitchell was selected as this year's recipient of the Cochran Award for
Excellence for her decades-long contributions and research towards the study of insects
by the South Carolina Entomological Society!
Congratulations to the winners of the Three Minute Thesis: First Place - Ashley Graham
"Mechanisms of Urbanization-Driven Decline in the Box Turtle" and the People's Choice
Award - Garrett Driscoll "Developing CRISPR/Cas98 Knockout for LPA Receptor-4 in Chicken
Retinal Ganglion Cells"
Congratulations to Chandani Mitchell for placing 1st Place at the SAEOPP McNair National
Research Conference for her project "Locating Mutagen-Sensivity Gene mus109 in the
Drosophila Melanogaster Genome Using Deficiency Mapping.
Congratulations to Ellie Abraham - Winner of the Champion Cup for the Best Presentation Overall Boyce Thompson Institute
REU at Cornell University!!
Winthrop Biologist, Dr. Matt Stern, part of a grant to design blood vessel replacements!
Congratulations to Holly Owen's for being selected as Winthop's choice for the "Finding
Your Future" program by USC School of Medicine! She participated in the four week
medical shadowing experience Summer 2018.
Dr. Janice Chism was awarded the Distinguished Professor Award! She is the first
faculty member to receive all four of Winthrop's teaching awards!
