Objectives
1. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts in the biological sciences and integrate their knowledge to support learning in other disciplines.
2. Pre-professional graduates will be proficient in the biological science sections of pre-professional entrance exams (MCAT, DAT, etc.)
3. Graduates will have developed a worldview that includes an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility regarding personal, social and environmental issues. They should know relevant biological standards or codes of ethics and be able to use these to make appropriate ethical judgments.
4. Graduates will be able to think critically and communicate their understanding about what constitutes appropriate use of science in distinguishing between fact, fiction and faith.
5. Students will demonstrate methods of biological research including skills in: data acquisition and analysis, writing research proposals and reports, the ability to design and follow experimental protocols, and presentation of research results. Development of these skills may result in opportunities to work with faculty in laboratory and field research and share authorship on resultant publications.
6. Students will be able to employ technical skills commonly used for biological research.
7. Students will develop leadership skills by participating in the Teaching Assistant Program, Community Involvement Projects or as officers of clubs centered in the Biology Department (Tri-Beta Honors Society, the Environmental Club and Pre-Med Club).
8. Students should be able to apply their understanding of biology to current events in the popular and scientific media.
9. Students will strengthen their learning opportunities through increased involvement and participation in Biology classes where faculty use innovative presentation and interactive techniques and technologies.

Undergraduate Research
The Department of Biology is committed to providing undergraduate students with the opportunity to do research. The biology faculty are actively engaged in research and welcome qualified and highly motivated students to participate with them in their laboratories. Interested students are encouraged to discuss research opportunities with individual faculty. Limited support in the form of grants and assistantships may be available.

Preparation for teaching
Students preparing to teach at the secondary level should plan to qualify for state of California teaching credentials by completing the bachelor’s degree and passing the PRAXIS (or SSAT) subject area assessment. During the freshman year prospective teachers of both secondary and elementary levels should see the School of Education section of the La Sierra University Bulletin and consult the credential analyst and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education for detailed information concerning requirements.

Field School of Biology
To provide first-hand experience in field biology rather than only accumulating book knowledge, the Department of Biology at La Sierra University offers fieldwork-based opportunities through its Field School. Currently, we coordinate an annual 3-week course in tropical environments, typically in late June and July. Our most recent trips involved study of insular amphibians and reptiles of the Bay Islands in Honduras and of Pulau Tioman in Peninsular Malaysia. New localities will be the islands in Ha Long Bay and the Con Dao Islands in Vietnam. During this course, students collect, preserve, take tissue samples of, and photograph specimens of amphibians and reptiles as well as keep a field journal.

The research conducted durning this course has consistently led to publication of articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals with student authorship. Any student taking approved field courses (Field School, Rosario Beach) for 8 or more units may apply these units to substitute for BIOL 201 or 202.