Biology at AU

Offering both undergraduate and graduate programs, the Department of Biology provides students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on research.

Biology at American University

The Department of Biology provides courses in the life sciences, emphasizing advances in molecular genetics, embryology, ecology, development and evolutionary biology. Faculty members have expertise in a variety of areas, and conduct research in developmental biology, evolutionary biology, neurobiology, microbiology, ecology, oceanography, and molecular biology. 

Anatomy Model

Students are encouraged to participate in research projects at all levels. Biology students at AU have the opportunity to visit and intern in some of the nation's most prestigious scientific institutions such as the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. For those interested in postgraduate studies, the Department of Biology offers a research-intensive Master of Science program that equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen area of study. We are currently accepting applications for the MS program and students are encouraged to reach out to individual faculty before applying to discuss research interests and ongoing projects. 

MS Biology MS Biotechnology BS Biology

 

News & Notes

Ashley Bastin won the award for Undergraduate Physical Sciences Final Work at the Mathias Student Research Conference.

Alumni

Alumni Spotlight: Brendan Riske, MS in Ecology & Evolution

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Alumni Spotlight: Brendan Riske, MS in Ecology & Evolution ’19

Tim Doud with his Art at Amtrak mural “A Great Public Work”

Research ·

College Faculty Receive 80 Awards Totaling Over $11 Million in 2023

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Recent Faculty Publications

  • Sepahvand, V., Momtazi, F. and Tudge, C.C. (2020). A new species of ghost shrimp of the genus Michaelcallianassa Sakai, 2002 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea: Callichiridae) from subtidal waters of the Persian Gulf, Iran. Zootaxa 4810(2): 383-388 (DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4810.2.12).
  • Ng, M**, K DeCicco-Skinner, and VP Connaughton. 2020. Using zebrafish to assess the effect of chronic, early developmental exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of 5-fluorocuracil and leucovorin. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103356

More Faculty Publications