Welcome to the Department of Biological Sciences at The University of Alabama.
As you will note from the research interests of our faculty, many biological disciplines are represented in this department, including ecology, cellular and molecular biology, systematics, marine science, microbiology, and more.
However, most of us use diverse approaches in our research, and our individual expertise may span several areas of biology. For example, our plant and animal physiologists bring genomic and molecular biology methods to their research questions, and neurobiologists study environmental interactions with genes and animal behaviors to study stress responses. Most of us collaborate extensively on research with colleagues in the department and around the globe.
Currently, our faculty are located in six different buildings on campus and at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The University of Alabama Arboretum and the Tanglewood Biological Station, both under the departmental umbrella, also provide resources for both research and education. We have approximately 1,500 majors, and we are hiring several new faculty members each year. These are exciting times for Biological Sciences at UA!
Academics
The department has three undergraduate majors leading to the bachelor of science degree:
In addition, we offer an MA degree in biology, an MS degree in biology and marine science, and a PhD in biology. The undergraduate program and graduate program pages provide detailed information concerning these programs and the requirements for each degree.
Our undergraduate and graduate students actively engage in research alongside faculty, contributing to publications in leading scientific journals. Upper-division laboratory courses provide hands-on training in advanced research techniques, while graduate-level professional development courses prepare students for diverse career paths. The department is committed to ensuring that every student graduates with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to excel in their chosen field.
Community Engagement
Our students and faculty are deeply committed to scientific outreach, sharing their time and expertise to inspire curiosity and communicate the relevance of biology in everyday life. From hosting interactive activities during Homecoming to visiting middle school classrooms and leading after-school enrichment programs, we actively engage with our community to make biology accessible, meaningful, and fun. Several faculty members also serve as curators at the Alabama Museum of Natural History, where they contribute to public programs and help develop exhibits in historic Smith Hall.
Alumni
For visitors who are alumni, please keep in touch! We are anxious to hear of your achievements since graduation. Your career paths might inspire our current students to new career goals. Let us know when you are in town. We would enjoy reestablishing connections. Also, check out the Bama Biology Newsletter, which we post on this site. If you would like physical copies, just send us your address.
More Information
We invite you to watch this video for more details about our department and its activities, programs, and research.