Welcome to the Department of Biology and Environmental Health at
Missouri Southern State University.

Quality teaching is the primary goal and responsibility of the Biology Department at Missouri Southern. The department has 12 faculty members who are dedicated to providing our students the best educational experience possible. To promote a better learning environment, we keep our class sizes small and ensure that the professor who teaches the lecture portion of a class will also teach the laboratory. This maximizes the interaction between student and professor. Student research and scholarly activity is the other fundamental goal of our department. We ensure that our students have numerous opportunities to participate in undergraduate research and field experiences during their course of study.

With over 350 students majoring in biology, the Department of Biology and Environmental Health is the largest in the School of Arts & Sciences. The Biology degree from Missouri Southern offers students diverse career options. Our majors will enter fields such as biotechnology and bioinformatics, ecology and conservation biology, basic research, biology education, as well as health related careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy.

Within the department is the Environmental Health Program. This program of study is for a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health. Environmental health is the field that is dedicated to protecting the human environment. Those working in the environmental health profession keep our environment healthy and safe from chemical, biological, physical and radiological hazards. Our Environmental Health Program is one of only 24 nationally accredited programs.

Another option available to students is the minor in Sustainability. Sustainability is the promotion of environmentally sustainable practices that maintain natural resources at least at their present level. The mission of the sustainability minor is to explore sustainability as it is related to biological and earth sciences, economics, and public policy and to promote sustainable practices across campus.

Biology is the study of life. There is no better way of gaining knowledge about life then to experience it first hand. At Missouri Southern, we offer our students unparalleled opportunities to travel, work, or to study in locations throughout the U.S. and the world. In support of the international mission of Missouri Southern, the Biology Department provides a range of opportunities for students to explore biology from a global perspective.

Take a look at what we have to offer at Missouri Southern. A degree in biology can be your stepping stone to an endless array of life opportunities.