	APPLY REQUEST INFORMATION CONTACT US DIRECTORY HOME SEARCH

Courses & Requirements

Unique Opportunities

Ceresco Prairie Conservancy

CONTACT INFORMATION

(920) 748-8144

biology@ripon.edu

ACADEMICS:Biology

Home > Academics > Majors > Biology > A Word from the Department

{ A Word from the Department }

Problem-Solving and Communication are Essential

Modern biologists need breadth of knowledge and flexibility. In some biological fields, information floods in so rapidly that the doubling time is measured in months. As knowledge increases, boundaries between traditional fields such as ecology or genetics become harder to define. Although knowing facts is important, biologists and health professionals can fully participate in their rapidly changing field only if they can analyze problems, provide creative solutions and communicate those discoveries to society.

The biology curriculum at Ripon is dedicated to this teaching philosophy. Our introductory course is designed to encourage students to develop problem-solving skills as they design their own laboratory exercises and perform data analysis. Advanced courses allow students to develop a broad base of biological knowledge and to learn critical laboratory skills. Because biologists must be able to communicate their findings to others, all our courses emphasize communication skills, both in writing and speaking.

The thing that sets the Ripon biology department apart is the people who work there. Not only do they help you refine your writing skills, speaking skills and thought processes in preparation for a career, they also care enough about the students to help out in any way they can. In addition, their assistance and advice don't end after you graduate.

Erica Smith, M.D., Class of 1998, 2002 graduate of Medical College of Wisconsin

New Laboratories and an On-Campus Natural Area

There never has been a more wonderful time to be a biologist at Ripon College! Farr Hall of Science recently was enlarged and completely renovated, giving us up-to-date classrooms designed especially for our hands-on approach to learning. The new greenhouse has three climate-controlled rooms that allow us to raise temperate, tropical and desert plants in appropriate conditions. Rooms and equipment dedicated to cell culture, molecular and cell biology, microbiology, physiology, histology, aquatic research and the study of animal specimens are used regularly by students for classroom projects and independent research.

The most recent additions are two laboratories for electron microscopy which were used by students in the 2002 Maymester course and will be available for student research projects. Our botany, ecology and animal biology courses are supported by a 120-acre on-campus natural area called the Ceresco Prairie Conservancy (CPC). The CPC contains wetlands, savannah and a large prairie restoration project.