The Department of Biology is one of the largest academic departments on campus, with nearly 1,400 majors enrolled at any given time. It’s our goal for all of our to students to succeed in and out of the classroom, which is why we provide specialized advisors, support our student organizations and keep you up-to-date with important upcoming dates and deadlines.

Connect With Us

Keep in touch with us and stay up-to-date on what’s happening in our department. We post announcements for all of our upcoming events and regularly highlight accomplishments from our students and faculty.

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Biology Advisors

As a first-year student at Ball State, you will initially be assigned a freshman advisor who will be your first point of contact when you have questions about your courses and schedules.

Starting your sophomore year, we will assign you one of our specialized advisors in biology, all of whom possess a graduate degree in biology to ensure you get the guidance you need to navigate your academic journey from underclassman to college graduate.

Julie Ridgway

Academic Advisor for Biology
765-285-1868 | View email | CL 125B

A pre-health professions advisor will be assigned to students pursuing one of the following programs:

  • Pre-Medical Major
  • Pre-Dental Major
  • Medical Technology Major
  • Pre-Pharmacy
  • Pre-Optometry
  • Pre-Physician Assistant
  • Pre-Veterinary
  • Pre-Chiropractic
  • General Biology Concentration
  • Teaching Major in Life Sciences Education
  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

In addition to having Julie as your advisor, Dr. Jennifer Metzler will serve as your faculty advisor, who can assist you with specialized pre-health professions questions, MCAT preparation, and admissions requirements for schools in the health professions, such as medical school and dental school.

Need to schedule an appointment?

Call or email Adam or go to MyBSU and select AdvisorTrac under the Additional Tools section to get in touch.

Sarah McKillipSarah Williams

Academic Advisor for Biology
765-285-1620 | View email | CL 125A

Sarah will be your point of contact after your first year if you are in one of these programs:

  • Aquatic Biology and Fisheries
  • Field Botany
  • Microbiology
  • Wildlife Biology and Conservation
  • Zoology
  • General Biology Concentration
  • Teaching Major in Life Sciences Education
  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

In addition to having Sara as your advisor, you will also be assigned a faculty advisor in your area of study who can answer specialized questions and provide academic and career guidance.

Need to schedule an appointment?

Call or email Sarah or go to MyBSU and select AdvisorTrac under the Additional Tools section to get in touch.

The Department of Biology is home to several official Ball State University student organizations that meet regularly to discuss and coordinate academic and professional development opportunities for nearly all areas of study in biology.

Our current student organizations include:

View the official Ball State University Academic Calendar.

Summer 2019

May 13, Monday
 University classes begin for Part of Term 1 (full summer term).
University classes begin for Part of Term 21 (first half term).
Change-of-Course accepted.

May 15, Wednesday
Change-of-Course end for Part of Term 21 (first half term).

May 17, Friday
Change-of-Course end for Part of Term 1 (full summer term).

May 27, Monday
Memorial Day – no classes
University administrative offices closed.

June 3, Monday
Course Withdrawal Period ends for Part of Term 21 (first half term).

June 14, Friday
Part of Term 21 (first half term) ends.
Term grades due Wednesday, June 20, 4:00 pm.

June 17, Monday
University classes begin for Part of Term 22 (second half term).
Change-of-Course accepted.

June 19, Wednesday
Change-of-Course end for Part of Term 22 (second half term).

June 24, Monday
Course Withdrawal Period ends for Part of Term 1
(full summer term).

July 4, Thursday
Independence Day Observance – no classes
University administrative offices closed.

July 8, Monday
Course Withdrawal Period ends for Part of Term 22 (second half term).

July 19, Friday
Part of Term 1 ends (full summer term).
Part of Term 22 ends (second half term).
Term grades due Wednesday, July 24, 4:00 pm.

July 20, Saturday
July Commencement

Fall 2019

August 16, Friday
Faculty meetings.
Academic year for faculty begins.

August 17, Saturday
Saturday classes meet.

August 19, Monday
University classes for Fall Semester begin.
Change-of-Course accepted.

August 25, Sunday
Change-of-Course ends.

Graduate Assistant

Office

Email
Ahmadi, Tina CP 254B View Email
Artz, Caleb 267C View Email
Biernbaum, Erika 267A View Email
Brooks, Chelsie CP 254N View Email
Broshar, Courtney CP 254N View Email
Canty, Rhashaan CP 204L View Email
Cassel, Daniel CP 204J View Email
Chambers, Antonio 267D View Email
Clemmons, Rylee CP 254P< View Email
Connare, Brandon CP 204J View Email
Crump, Lexie 267D View Email
Davis, Taylor 267D View Email
DeFranco, Kate 267D View Email
DeRolf, Paul 270D View Email
Ferguson, Hannah 267C View Email
Ford, Josh 267D View Email
Fox, Nathaniel CP 204O View Email
French, Rachel CP 254B View Email
Harrison, Katelyn 267B View Email
Huber, Anthony 270E View Email
Kirschbaum, Avery 267D View Email
Klahn, Joseph 267E View Email
Kundenreich, Derek CP 254N View Email
Lamka, Gina 267B View Email
Large, Colton 270D View Email
Minder, Mario 222 View Email
Myers, Jordan 270E View Email
Northup, Shauna CP 254B View Email
Pickerill, Ethan 267E View Email
Pittsley, Rachel CP 204K View Email
Richardson, Adam 270B View Email
Robbins, Jeffrey 270B View Email
Rudolph, Aaron CP 204L View Email
Ruoss, Jenna CP 204S View Email
Seballos, Rody 267E View Email
Sharp, Alexander 270D View Email
Shelton, Deja CP 254P View Email
Smith, Zach CP 204O View Email
Sun, Alexandria CP 204S View Email
TerMarsch, Hannah 267A View Email
Thornton, Jessica CP 204T View Email
Tinsley, Melissa CP 204K View Email
Vacura, Kirsten 267E View Email
Vitali, Halie CP 254P View Email

 

Science-Health Science Library

Located in CN 016 in the Cooper Science Complex basement, the Science-Health Science Library provides access to collections and services supporting research in the sciences and health sciences including nursing, chemistry, physics, geology, physiology and biology.

Explore the Library

Undergraduate Research and Travel Grants

The Josie and Geoff Fox Fund supports the expenses of research projects as well as travel to professional meetings for undergraduate biology students studying some aspect of environmental biology. If you are interested in applying for grant funding, please see our informational PDF that describes criteria, eligibility and application procedures.

Grant Application Guidelines

Departmental Honors in Biology

If distinguishing yourself through quality course performance and participation in undergrad research is a personal goal, then you should consider earning Departmental Honors in Biology. You can earn the departmental honor on your official university records by completing the requirements stated below. This achievement will be properly noted in the commencement program and in departmental records.

Requirements

  • Overall GPA above 3.5
  • Completion of 3 credit hours of BIO 498 (Undergraduate Research), HONRS 490, or HONRS 499
  • A presentation of the research findings at an internal or external professional meeting

Obtaining Honors Designation

After meeting these criteria, you must submit a Departmental Honors Credit form from the Department of Biology office or from the Honors College and have it signed by your faculty research mentor. Departmental Honors designation will be indicated on your transcript and diploma. In order for this achievement to be recognized at an event hosted by the university president and included in the commencement program, deadline dates apply within the semester of graduation. Consult the Department of Biology or Honors College to determine these dates. For questions, please contact Patricia Kleeberg.