Department of Biology
On any given day in Jones Science Center, you'll find our faculty and students preparing bacterial cultures, identifying trees, preparing presentations, working in study groups, or involved in lab dissections. Our mission is to provide our students with a broad background in biology. Coupled with the opportunity for research and the background you'll get from the Ouachita CORE curriculum, you will be equipped for entering almost any health related field, for teaching, or for occupations in government or industry. Please take a look around our site and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us!
Majors
“The best part of being a Biology major at Ouachita is the unique experimental learning opportunities such as the HHMI SEA-PHAGES program, bioinformatics, and summer research.”
“The best thing about the Biology department is all of the professors! They are all so willing to help and are genuinely interested about not only your grades but also you as a person.”
“The best part about being a Biology major at Ouachita is getting to learn about creation in a scientific manner that clearly shows God’s greatness.”
“Choosing to be a Biology major at Ouachita means choosing to become part of a successful tradition of hard-working, intelligent students at a great university.”
“The best part of being a Biology major is interactive learning. Hands-on and interactive teaching through labs put what you learn in the classroom into your own hands so that you get to experience the best of both worlds.”
“The best thing about being a Biology major at Ouachita is getting to take classes with professors who truly care about us and are passionate about what they teach.”
“Being a Biology major means you can sit across from your professors desk one-on-one and get help.”
“The best part of being a Biology major at Ouachita is that we are seen as individuals, not just a collection of people in a classroom.”
“Being a Biology major at Ouachita is tough, but it is worth it in the end! The Biology professors do an amazing job at preparing their students for graduate/professional schools and future jobs. Despite all my late nights studying, I would not change my experience as a science major for the world!”
“The best thing about being a Biology major at Ouachita is that your professors will push you to learn and excel in new ways to maximize your education, all the while being more than willing to help you through your struggles when they arise.”
“The dedication the faculty has to providing you with a first rate education while still caring about you as an individual is what stands out to me. I know that sounds like I read it right out of a recruiting pamphlet, but it is the one thing that the Biology department has continually shown me for my four years at Ouachita.”
“The best thing about the Biology department is the connections the professors have to graduate schools, shadowing opportunities, and summer research programs. They are also very understanding, and want to help you any way they can.”
Ouachita Biology graduates are competitive for admission to graduate and professional
schools, both in Arkansas and across the globe. In recent years, our students have
been admitted to the following programs.
Medical School
Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Louisiana State University School of Medicine
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ross University Medical School
St George’s University Medical School
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
University of Mississippi School of Medicine
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Dental School
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry
University of Louisville School of Dentistry
University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Dentistry
University of Tennessee College of Dentistry
Graduate School
Arkansas State University
Rice University
The University of Texas at Dallas
University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
University of California, Berkeley
University of Mississippi
William Carey University
Wright State University
Nursing School
Arkansas State University School of Nursing
Baptist Health School of Nursing
Henderson State University Department of Nursing
The University of Texas at Tyler College of Nursing
Union University School of Nursing
University of Arkansas Eleanor Mann School of Nursing
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing
Occupational Therapy School
A.T. Still University Occupational Therapy Program
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Occupational Therapy
University of Central Arkansas Department of Occupational Therapy
Optometry School
Southern College of Optometry
University of Houston College of Optometry
Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry
Pharmacy School
Harding University College of Pharmacy
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy
Physical Therapy School
Southwest Baptist University Department of Physical Therapy
Texas Women’s University School of Physical Therapy
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Therapy
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Health Professions
University of Central Arkansas Department of Physical Therapy
Physician Assistant School
Harding University Physician Assistant Program
Trevecca Nazarene University Physician Assistant Program
Marquette University College of Health Sciences
Veterinary School
Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine
Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine
Quick Facts
- Biology graduates more students within the Natural Sciences than any other major, and is one of the largest and fastest-growing majors on the Ouachita campus.
- Each Biology student has an academic advisor with whom he/she meets at least twice a year. Advisors offer assistance with scheduling, degree plans, and preparation for future goals.
- 90% of our students and alumni indicated that "interaction with faculty" was a key part of their Ouachita education.
- Biology faculty and students participated in more than 80 off-campus presentations at the state, regional, and national level in the last year. At least 11 student presentations won awards at these events.
- All Biology students are invited to faculty homes for dinner during their tenure at Ouachita.
- Members of the biology department received over $295,000 in funding for research and pedagogy from external and institutional sources in the last year. External funding sources include the National Institutes of Health Arkansas INBRE, the NASA Arkansas Space Grant Consortium, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
- The average Ouachita graduate leaves with approximately $24,367 in debt. In comparison, the national average debt for students graduating from private nonprofit universities was $32,300 in 2012, according to the Project on Student Debt.
