Loras College

The Loras College Biology Program exists within the framework of a liberal arts college and as such is dedicated to:

• provide access to fundamental concepts of biology for all students
• provide access to specialized biological knowledge for majors and minors who rely on this knowledge for their particular career goals.
• serves as a source of expertise, both research and instructional, for the local community, State of Iowa and beyond. In both instances, this access and service is afforded in a Christian and Catholic atmosphere where moral and ethical implications of biological knowledge are conveyed to the students and various publics.
• fully committed faculty in teaching and guiding students in achieving the highest level of professional competence as biologists.

The Biology Program offers majors in biology and biological research. The biology major is designed for those students wishing a broad background in biology but who do not wish to pursue a research orientation; the biological research major is designed for those students additionally wishing research experience. Successful completion of a comprehensive examination given during the senior year is required of all majors. There is also an optional specialization in biology for secondary teaching.

Students learn by doing, by close observation and by testing hypotheses through direct experimentation. Loras houses several biology labs to help students learn how to use equipment, work with statistics, write results and explain implications of their findings. Including a Recombinant DNA laboratory.  Loras gives students experience with the latest molecular and genetic technology including DNA fingerprinting, protein gel analysis and DNA sequence amplification (PCR). Further hands-on learning is available through summer research experiences and internships at large universities throughout the country. Opportunities with the Nature Conservancy, with state departments of Natural Resources and with other environmental agencies allow students to make important personal connections that can be used later for permanent employment. 

The best method to learn about our curriculum, our students and our faculty is to come to Dubuque for a campus visit. Not only will you get a tour of the Loras campus and our program facilities; you can talk directly with Biology facultywith questions you may have or learn about what a typical day or week is like at Loras. We welcome you to observe a class, lab or talk to current biology students. Campus visits can be scheduled through the Loras Admissions Office at 563-588-7236 or by contacting Tom Davis at 563-588-7767  tdavis@loras.edu.

• Division of Molecular and Life Sciences
• Additional Biology Program Information
• Top 10 features of the Biology Program
• Course Descriptions