WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY?
The study of Integrative Biology examines all levels of biological organization, from molecules through the biosphere. Our professors teach and conduct their research in the areas of genetics, evolution, plant and animal anatomy and physiology, behavior, ecology and conservation biology on humans, animals, plants and fungi. The study of living organisms demand an understanding of the molecular techniques used in today’s life science laboratories. IB majors have the opportunity to learn many of these techniques and to gain valuable experience in a professor’s lab while earning graduation credit.
Students can use these molecular techniques to understand biology at all levels of organization:
Often, students ask, “What does integrative biology really mean”? Integrative Biology implies that scientists can examine or integrate problems from the various levels of biological organization and/or multiple areas of biology to help solve problems. For example:
Global ecosystem: How do plants respond to higher levels of CO2 in the atmosphere due to burning fossil fuels?
Evolution: Are tree populations evolving in response to our changing environment?
Physiology: Does the greater amount of CO2 today stimulate the tree’s photosynthetic rate?
Molecular Biology: What combination of the tree’s genes is activated at the higher global temperature?
A student majoring in Integrative Biology can get to know their professors and other IB majors while taking advantage of small advanced level classes. Students can tailor their course choices to fit a variety of interests in biology and are encouraged to do research during the fall, spring and/or summer terms. IB students learn important tools and techniques useful in later careers like computational biology, molecular lab techniques and bioinformatics. An IB major is also encouraged to see how basic biological principles relate to social issues like human health and the environment, global climate change, forensic science and the conservation of endangered species.
Graduates in this major have several options including finding a job, attending graduate school or obtaining professional training in a health profession, law, business and teaching.