Biology

What is SPC Biology?

Biological sciences are the study of living organisms. This field of study is an essential component of many undergraduate and graduate degree programs, particularly those relating to animal, plant, and medical studies. Our program at St. Philip’s will prepare students to successfully transition to further careers in industry, academia, or many other professions.

What will I learn?

Here at SPC students will find a diverse range of biology courses, from introductory biology to the study of genetics, microbiology, anatomy, and physiology. Courses taken will cover basic biology concepts straightforwardly and rigorously, moving towards mastery in the particular areas the different courses emphasize. Our biology courses aim to match the strong theoretical content offered with equally thorough laboratory sessions.

What can I do with this course of study?

This program will prepare students to enter many areas of further study. We have had graduates pursue diverse fields of study, from wildlife management to dentistry, physician’s assistant programs, and zoology. Our instructors make every effort to help students understand where their courses can take them on their career path, and many students find the study environment of SPC very beneficial in assisting them to experience a range of courses and determining where they want their future to be heading.

What's special about the program?

Instructors at SPC are committed to ensuring students succeed in the sciences, such as, every effort is made to ensure that students get the most out of their instructional experience. The Department of Natural Sciences is very cognizant of the needs of students who are transferring to our college, and as such we make every effort to facilitate course substitutions where possible.

Here at St. Philip’s we also have several instructors who dedicate their time to providing research opportunities to exceptional students who wish to broaden their experience in biology. These research projects run throughout the regular semesters, and through the summer, and serve to help students to further develop their skills and prepare them for future graduate studies.

Aside from research, many of our biology faculty choose to offer community engagement activities that directly support student learning. These community activities are a welcome part of the SPC experience and help students see how what they are learning in the classroom has real-world applications.

We have a dedicated tutoring/study laboratory on the second floor of our science building, which is solely provided to allow students to meet with instructors to gain help with their courses. This study center is known as the Byrd Sanctuary and is recognized as a key benefit that SPC students have access to. 

For Biology online syllabi, go to Online Syllabus.