Biology Advising
Students are encouraged to schedule advising appointments with Biology faculty every semester or every year as they pursue Biology programs.
Faculty advisors help students select courses and graduate on time and can provide guidance to prepare students for careers in Biology. Students can keep the same faculty advisor every year, or they can switch advisors from year to year.
Schedule an Advising Appointment
To schedule an advising appointment, please use one of the two following methods:
- In the accordion panels below, click on the "Schedule an advising appointment" link next to a faculty member's name. For appointments held via Zoom, the Zoom meeting link is emailed to you and can also be accessed via your Google Calendar. If no appointments are available, or if appointment times do not work for your schedule, please email the faculty member to schedule an appointment.
- Email faculty directly or contact the Biology Department Office at 734.487.4242.
Biology Major
The Biology Major is divided into five concentrations: (i) Cell & Molecular Biology, (ii) Ecology, Organismal Diversity and Evolution, (iii) Microbiology, (iv) Physiology, and (v) General Biology. Concentrations are typically selected in the sophomore or junior year. Faculty advisors are listed under each concentration.
Students can change their concentration at any time by completing the EMU Major Declaration Form.
Students may schedule advising appointments with any faculty member. However, freshmen are encouraged to select Freshman Advisors, and transfer students are encouraged to select Transfer Advisors. These advisors specialize in helping students navigate their first year within the Biology major at EMU. Students who have already selected a concentration are encouraged to schedule advising appointments with faculty from within their concentration.
Freshman Advisors
- Anne Casper | Schedule an advising appointment
- Chiron Graves | Schedule an appointment via email ([email protected])
- Katy Greenwald | Schedule an advising appointment
- Emily Grman | Schedule an advising appointment
- Maggie Hanes | Schedule an advising appointment
- Tom Mast | Schedule an advising appointment
Transfer Advisors
- Peter Bednekoff | Schedule an appointment via email ([email protected])
- Daniel Clemans | Schedule an advising appointment
- Marianne Laporte | Schedule an advising appointment
Cell & Molecular Biology
- Mike Angell | Schedule an advising appointment
- David Kass | Schedule an advising appointment
- Hannah Seidel | Schedule an advising appointment
Ecology, Organismal Diversity and Evolution
- Peter Bednekoff | Schedule an appointment via email ([email protected])
- Al Kurta | Schedule an advising appointment
- Uli Reinhardt | Schedule an advising appointment
Microbiology
Physiology
General Biology
Honors
The Biology Honors program allows students to complete an intensive honors thesis research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor. For more information, see the Honors Advising tab to the left. For general questions, you may schedule an appointment with either of the department honors advisors.
Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology Honors Projects
Cell and Molecular Biology Honors Projects
Minors
Several Biology Department minors are open to students majoring in disciplines outside of biology. With the exception of the Biology Minor, these minors are also open to Biology majors.
In some cases, classes may be counted toward the major as well as one of the minors. Consult with an advisor for more information on combining a minor with your major.
Biology
- Daniel Clemans | Schedule an advising appointment
- Marianne Laporte | Schedule an advising appointment
Botany
- Emily Grman | Schedule an advising appointment
- Maggie Hanes | Schedule an advising appointment
- Marianne Laporte | Schedule an advising appointment
Conservation and Resource Use
- Katy Greenwald | Schedule an advising appointment
- Peter Bednekoff | Schedule an appointment via email ([email protected])
Human Biology
Secondary Education Biology
- Chiron Graves | Schedule an appointment via email ([email protected])
Zoology
Pre-Med and Pre-Health Advising
Students interested in careers in medicine and healthcare should contact our Pre-Med / Pre-Health Advisor, Dr. Hannah Seidel ([email protected]), to gain access to the Pre-Med / Pre-Health Canvas site. This site provides announcements and information on career options, admissions requirements, application processes, and events and opportunities related to careers in medicine and healthcare. For advising related to these careers, please schedule an advising appointment with Dr. Hannah Seidel.
Faculty Advisor
Secondary Education Biology
The Biology Department participates in the Secondary Education Biology Major. Successful completion of the Secondary Education Biology Major along with the major in Teaching and Learning (with Secondary Certification) [BS], in the context of other program requirements, qualifies the student for a recommendation for the Michigan Department of Education Secondary Standard Certificate endorsed in biology, certification code DA and, depending on the minor selected, an additional endorsement. This program of study meets all requirements of the National Science Teachers Association. The Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) covering this field is #017, Biology.
Faculty Advisors
- Chiron Graves | Schedule an appointment via email ([email protected])
Interdisciplinary Programs
The Biology Department contributes to two interdisciplinary programs: Environmental Science and Society and Neuroscience.
Environmental Science and Society
Neuroscience
Graduate Programs
The Biology Department offers Master’s programs in General Biology, Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, and Molecular/Cellular Biology. Prospective students can contact the Biology Graduate Coordinator with questions related to graduate programs or admissions. Upon admission to the program, graduate students should contact the coordinator to create a Plan of Study (PoS) prior to registering for courses. Current students are welcome to meet with the coordinator at any time during their program. Questions can be addressed via email or via an advising appointment (via Zoom or in-person). The Biology Graduate Coordinator is Dr. Cara Shillington ([email protected]).
Francine Parker Advising Center
The Francine Parker Advising Center provides general education and pre-major advising for students in the College of Arts and Sciences.