B.S. in Biology
B.S. in Biology, Concentration in Sports Medicine
Science students are introduced to living systems at various levels of complexity, from atoms to the biosphere. Evolution provides a framework for examining questions, hypotheses, and predictions. Upper division choices to allow students to pursue their interests, so one student may choose health career pre-requisites (organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology, genetics, and biochemistry), another wildlife biology courses (ecology, animal behavior, genetics, conservation biology).
The importance of research and experimentation in biology is stressed throughout the curriculum. Students explore the basic principles and assumptions of the scientific method, then practice them in highly-experiential lab courses and research experiences.
Students in the Sports Medicine Concentration take the same lower-division courses as all BS in Biology majors, but they replace five upper-division biology lab courses with 15 credits from a list of sports medicine-related electives in topics such as strength and conditioning, nutrition, kinesiology, sports medicine, exercise physiology, and sports psychology.
Beaver behavior research for a comparison of beavers & elephants as “animal engineers”
In the lab
Studying crayfish migration patterns at Hidden Beach, Lake Tahoe
Biology majors graduate qualified for advanced degree programs and careers in wildlife biology, health occupations, laboratory research, or teaching K-12. In addition to all of the foundational science and math courses that graduate schools look for, they have ample experience conducting research and fieldwork, and using professional statistical tools and lab equipment.
Recent graduates have continued on to post-graduate programs in Medicine (MD), Laboratory Management, Epidemiology, Biological Statistics, Biotechnology, and Nursing.
Sierra Nevada University's Science program offers majors in
Biology, Ecology, Earth Science, and Natural Resource Management