Department News

Biology major starting summer research internship in San Diego

Junior Nikki Kimmet (Biology) will be heading out to the west coast this summer to conduct 8 weeks of research at the University of California... Read more

Honors project focuses on flame retardants

Dr. Weidenhamer, Megan Liggett, and Dr. Mohney Senior Biochemistry major Megan Liggett conducted her Honors Capstone Research with Dr. Brian Mohney , Associate Professor of... Read more

Ashland science students present honors research and head off to graduate school

Two senior science majors gave successful defenses of their honors thesis research this past week and will both be starting PhD programs in the Fall... Read more

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Faculty Spotlight

Faculty
Dr. Andrew Trimble is an assistant professor of biology and toxicology. He joined the Ashland University faculty in 2009. His research interests include the effects... Read more

Contact Info

419.289.5261
brodebac@ashland.edu
Kettering 221

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Biology and Toxicology at Ashland University

When you choose a Biology Science major at Ashland University, you join a program on the cutting edge of scientific exploration with outstanding facilities and research equipment, access to five local nature preserves, strong pre-professional programs, and many opportunities to work with your professors on scientific research projects. Our graduates have a high success rate entering medical and other health professional programs, attend prestigious graduate programs and get jobs in the biosciences, where employment growth is expected to be 21% between 2008 and 2018.

Student & Faculty Collaboration

The close work that our faculty and students perform in both classrooms and research labs sets us apart from other biology programs.  As a biology or toxicology major you will get the personal attention and mentorship that builds towards a successful career in graduate school, health professional training like medical school, or employment after your bachelor’s degree.

  • All of your biology courses, including lab sections, are taught by full-time faculty that are experts in their fields, in class sizes typically ranging from 8 to 24 students
  • You will take courses and do scientific research in modern laboratory facilities that will prepare you for diverse science careers, and have access to five environmental preserves, a greenhouse, and human cadaver facility 
  • Courses and research opportunities in areas such as cell and molecular biology, physiology, toxicology, field ecology, animal biology, aquatic biology, environmental scienceforensic science and biotechnology
  • Our faculty/student research projects have been supported by over $700,000 in federal funding since 1997
  • Being part of a program that has an outstanding record of admission to medical, dental, veterinary, physician assistant and physical therapy schools. Since 2004, over 90 percent of our majors who applied to professional schools were admitted within one year of graduation.  Watch faculty and students talk about our pre-professional program

In Their Own Words

See what our students and alumni have to say about our programs
  • Becky Richards
    I entered Ashland University without a clear career goal, but my interest in medicine was piqued after taking an Anatomy and Physiology class during my sophomore year. I was also able to participate in undergraduate research while at Ashland, which inspired me to appreciate the importance of basic... more
  • Erin Allen
    The Biology Department at AU provided me with the experience and tools necessary for me to be successful in graduate school through the individualized instruction and small class sizes, extensive practice preparing oral presentations, writing lab reports, and critiquing current literature. In... more
  • Karie Charlton
    I have been impressed by Ashland University’s science programs because I have been able to get hands-on lab experience beginning my first semester of my freshman year. And I like that the professors are in the lab with me for one-on-one interaction. I like the willingness of the professors to be... more
  • Joshua Ellwitz
    AU prepared me for medical school and a lifetime of learning. The most important skills learned in undergraduate courses are the processes of learning and performing research. The facts or details change over time but having the ability to synthesize information is most useful. I am very... more
  • Katie Manocchio
    I could not have been more satisfied with my overall pre-professional program experience at AU. It was one of the best decisions of my life and if I had to I would make the same decision all over again. Even though AU is a small school it has as much to offer if not more than a large university... more
  • Michelle (Kaufman) Musser
    In my toxicology program I was able to complete a self-directed, animal-based research project. Although I do not participate in this type of research now, having this opportunity expanded my personal experience in the basic sciences, giving me a more robust understanding than your typical pharmacy... more