Biology, BA, BS

 

Through observation and experiments, biologists gain an understanding of the nature and functions of the living world, integrating this knowledge with the aid of chemistry, physics and mathematics. Students at the University of Dallas explore biology through an active learning process that incorporates hands-on experience in the laboratory and field.

Every organism on the planet is interconnected.

Biology is the exploration of the entire world of the living and the material universe as it relates to living processes. Through the study of biology, students gain an understanding of the nature and behavior of the living world and integrate this knowledge with the aid of chemistry, physics and mathematics. Scientific truths and concepts are presented in such a way as to challenge students to take an active part in the learning process through hands-on laboratory and field experiences.

The Biology curriculum is divided into three levels to ensure exploration of the full breadth of the biological sciences. In the Molecules to Cells level, students explore cellular and subcellular processes through examination of microbiology, molecular biology, genetics and cell physiology. The second level, Cells to Organisms, examines the arrangement of cells into higher-order organization in the organism through the study of anatomy, physiology, plant biology and developmental biology. At the Organisms to Populations level, the interaction between organisms and their environment is expanded to include ecological, behavioral and evolutionary processes. Students majoring in biology complete upper-division course work at each of these levels, while also having the opportunity to spend additional course work going into greater depth within a level.

The Biology Department curriculum is designed to prepare students for graduate work at the master’s or Ph.D. level, for teaching in junior high and high school and for pursuing laboratory or field-based research careers. The curriculum includes course work necessary for satisfying entrance requirements to schools in health related fields such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and physical therapy.

A program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is offered jointly between the Departments of Biology and Chemistry.

Biology Lab

 

Pre-Health Programs

The University of Dallas has a long and successful history of providing academically superior pre-health programs. Our success rate with students obtaining acceptance into medical and health-related professional schools is well-documented and places our institution at or near the top of all universities in the state. An excellent student-to-faculty ratio allows for personalized advising and ensures a meaningful recommendation letter when the time comes. 

  • Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Nursing
  • Physical Therapy
  • Veterinary
  • Physician Assistant
  • Podiatry
  • Pharmacy
  • Optometry
  • Chiropractic

Recent Publications

 

Toby Lab Publication: Hey, Sara, Dayjah Whyte, Minh-Chau Hoang, Nick Le, Joseph Natvig, Claire Wingfield, Charles Onyeama, Judie Howrylak, and Inimary T. Toby. "Analysis of CDR3 Sequences from T-Cell Receptor β in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome."  Biomolecules  13, no. 5 (2023): 825.

Soper Lab Publication: Soper, D. M., T. R. Raffel, J. P. Sckrabulis, K. L. Froelich, B. A. McPhail, M. D. Ostrowski, R. L. Reimink, D. Romano, S. P. Rudko, and P. C. Hanington. "A novel schistosome species hosted by Planorbella (Helisoma) trivolvis is the most widespread swimmer's itch-causing parasite in Michigan inland lakes."  Parasitology  150, no. 1 (2023): 88-97.

Soper Lab Publication: Patterns of gene expression in ovaries of sexual vs. asexual lineages of a freshwater snail, Frontiers In Genetics 15 July 2022.

Soper Lab Publication: Growth and Cyclin-E Expression in the Stony Coral Species Orbicella faveolata Post-Microfragmentation, The Biological Bulletin, February 2022, volume 242, number 1: 40-47.

Soper Lab Publication: Direct evidence for increased disease resistance in polyandrous broods exists only in eusocial Hymenoptera, BMC Ecol Evo 21, 189 (2021).

Toby Lab Publication: A Data Report on the Curation and Development of a Database of Genes for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Frontiers In Genetics 09 December 2021.

Concentrations

SEM

Molecular Biology

Costa Rica

Environmental Science

Test

Biopsychology

Featured Faculty

All Biology Faculty
Dr. Bihmidine

Saadia Bihmidine Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Biology

Phone: (972) 721-5045

Email: sbihmidine@udallas.edu

Office: Haggerty Science Center #28

William Cody

William Cody Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Chair, Biology

Phone: (972) 721-5192

Email: wcody@udallas.edu

Office: Patrick E. Haggerty Science Building #139

Dr. Frank Doe

Frank Doe Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus, Biology

Carla Pezzia, Ph.D.

Carla Pezzia Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Biology

Phone: (972) 265-5719

Email: cpezzia@udallas.edu

Office: Haggerty Science Center #140

Adriana Roman

Adriana Roman M.S.

Affiliate Assistant Professor, Biology

Phone: (972) 721-5168

Email: aroman1@udallas.edu

Office: Haggerty Science Center #111 A

Sunny Scobell

Sunny K Scobell Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Biology

Phone: (972) 721-5170

Email: sscobell@udallas.edu

Office: Heggerty Science Center #142

Deanna Soper, Ph.D.

Deanna Soper Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Biology

Phone: (972) 721-5245

Email: dsoper@udallas.edu

Office: Patrick E. Haggerty Science Center #145

Dr. Drew Stenesen

Drew Stenesen Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Biology

Phone: (972) 721-5047

Email: dstenesen@udallas.edu

Office: Patrick E. Haggerty Science Building #143

Dr. Inimary Toby

Inimary Toby Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Biology

Phone: (972) 721-5109

Email: itoby@udallas.edu

Office: Haggerty Science Center #141