Mission
The Department of Biology at the University of Texas at Arlington is an integral academic unit within the College of
Science. The mission of the Department is to advance the understanding and appreciation of biology within the State of
Texas and more globally. A major emphasis of our program is to encourage critical thinking and an active engagement in the
biological sciences. The department seeks to fulfill this mission through comprehensive teaching and training at the
undergraduate and graduate levels, original research advancing knowledge in life science, service to communities within
Texas, and outreach to fulfill societal needs with respect to the life sciences.
Research
Biology supports a vigorous, contemporary research program that spans a range of disciplines. By many measures,
the Department has been very successful in this part of its mission. Several individual faculty have been recognized for
their outstanding contributions to research in their fields. Furthermore, extramural grant funding in the Department has
increased significantly in the last 5 years. Current recruitment efforts seek to expand our expertise in the growing
areas of modern biology like genomics, genetics, microbiology, and cell biology.
Graduate Education
The Department of Biology has vigorous Ph.D. and M.S. programs that prepare students for successful academic, public-,
and private-sector careers in the life sciences. Student training includes research experience, formal coursework, and
seminar and research presentations. To provide the best possible training for our students, the Department invests heavily
in the professional development through seminar programs and financial support for research and participation in scientific
meetings and workshops. Consequently, our students enjoy continued success in their graduate careers, as judged by
extramural and intramural awards, publications, and presentations.
Undergraduate Education
With more than 1500 students, the Department of Biology is home to the largest undergraduate major on the College of Science. Furthermore,
Department faculty make substantial contributions to undergraduate instruction of non-majors in related fields from other
Colleges and Departments, as well as to the University Honors Program, and Distance Learning. The Department offers
extensive opportunities for Independent Study, providing students with valuable research experience in many areas of
Biology. Faculty in the Department have been recognized for excellence in instruction with numerous teaching awards.
Awards include the Outstanding Science Teacher [Frye, Neill], AMOCO Teaching Award [Neill], Chancellor‘s Council Teaching
Award [Campbell, Chrzanowski, Frye], Provost Excellence in Teaching Award [Henry, Westmoreland], and Academy of
Distinguished Teachers [Campbell, Frye, Neill, Robinson]. The Dept. of Biology is the only unit on campus to have four members in the Academy of Distinguished Teachers,
an extremely exclusive group.