Department of Biology

About Us
Override Request Form
Upcoming Events
Degree Programs
DEI Statement
Meet Our Faculty & Staff

Welcome to the Biology Department!

From red blood cells to blue whales, irises to giant sequoias, and DNA to the creatures of the deep sea, our beautiful planet is full of life. One might think with the hundreds of thousands of years of human existence, our species would know everything there is to know about all living things on Earth. But with new advances in technology that have caused a vast expansion of our understanding of biology, we’re just starting to scratch the surface of the previously unknown.

The Department of Biology at MSU Denver teaches courses that cover the entire spectrum of biological sciences. Specializing in Genetics, Microbiology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Botany, Zoology or Ecology provides you with the knowledge to succeed in areas such as medicine, wildlife management, education, neuroscience, environmental science and so much more.

Need to register for a class while your transcripts are being evaluated? Submit an override request form and we'll take a look!

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Channel 7 Visits the Mosquito Lab!

Channel 7 News caught up with our resident “Mosquito Man”, Dr. Bob Hancock, to talk about West Nile virus and why we’re seeing an increase in cases in Colorado.

See how he and his research students are working on how we can protect people from West Nile and other mosquito transmitted diseases.

West Nile Interview

Welcome Back Fun!

Dr. Meloche and His Helper – Talking Plants

Student Researcher Speaks to BIO Students

Hanging with Dr. Bissell in the Herbarium

THANK YOU FOR COMING!!

What a great turnout at the Welcome Back Social hosted by the Biology department and the Center for Advanced STEM Education (CASE)!

Current and prospective Biology majors came out to tour the research labs and learn more about the projects our faculty and student researchers are working on. There was so much to see! Pizza to eat! And swag bags to win! Thank you to everyone who stopped by and joined in the fun!

Upcoming Events

10/31

Spring 2023 Registration Begins

11/4

Withdrawal Deadline for Fall 2022 Full-Semester Courses

11/21-11/25

Fall Break

A person reading a newspaper leaning against a wall of newspapers

RED magazine recently spoke with Dr. Bob Hancock and his students to discuss the surge in Colorado’s West Nile virus and their efforts with mosquito mitigation.

Congratulations to Dr. Hsiu-Ping Liu for being recognized as the ‘Roadrunner Shoutout of the Week’ faculty winner for her work as Director of the Center for Advanced STEM Education (CASE) – thank you Dr. Liu for all the opportunities you provide for STEM students!

Congratulations to our own Dr. Vida Melvin for being recognized as the faculty winner of the ‘Roadrunner Shoutout of the Week’ – thank you Dr. Melvin for all you do for our students!!

Degree Programs

Biology, B.S.

Learn more about our Bachelor of Science degree in Biology here.

Biology Major, B.S.

Biology, B.A.

Learn more about our Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology here.

Biology Major, B.A.

Biology, B.A. with Secondary Science Teacher Licensure Concentration

Learn more about our Bachelor of Arts in Biology with Secondary Science Teacher Licensure Concentration here.

Biology B.A. with a Secondary Science Licensure

Biology Minor

Learn more about our Biology minor here.

Biology Minor

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

I secured a position in a craniofacial biology lab as a professional research assistant. This is the exact area of the field that I studied during undergrad with Dr. Vida Melvin. I have a research project of my own on craniofacial development in mice with plans to publish (hopefully!) next year. I plan to apply and attend a masters program at CSU for Assisted Reproductive Technologies. I want to be able to work in infertility clinics helping couples make babies of their own. Speaking of babies, I am a happy and proud mom to a total of 33 houseplants (and counting).

Jessie Patrick

BIO Alumna - Class of 2019

I started off transferring from Community College of Denver to MSU Denver just to take some upper division classes. I did not think I was on the road to obtaining a second bachelor’s degree, but I ended up finishing with a B.S. in Biology. That would not have been possible if it was not for the friends I made, the professors who encouraged me every step of the way, and the academic advising I received. My proudest accomplishment was receiving several scholarships thanks to Dr. Liu and CO-WY-AMP. Dr. Zajdowicz also opened up a whole new world of science to me and helped develop my love for microbiology and infectious diseases. I will be attending the University of Colorado’s CHA/PA program starting July 2022!

Nika Macfarlane

BIO Alumna - Class of 2020

I am currently in my final year of medical school (Class of 2022)! I am pursuing a career in obstetrics and gynecology and I plan to sub-specialize in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. MSU Denver gave me the groundwork to pursue any career I wanted with my biology degree. The close-knit relationships with the faculty were vital to my success and allowed me to secure strong letters of recommendation. Furthermore, I was able to get involved in undergraduate research which gave me the foundation to get multiple journal article publications during medical school. I am so thankful for my time at MSU Denver and for everything the biology department did to get me where I am today!

Nathan Hoskins

BIO Alumnus - Class of 2016

While at MSU Denver, I was a TA for Dr. Melvin, as well as a tutor for the chemistry department. My favorite biology classes were Genetics and Microbiology. Fun fact - I also played basketball for MSU Denver! I am currently working as a research assistant in my gap year. Since graduation, I’ve taken the MCAT and scored in the 99^th percentile. I have applied to medical school and hope to get into Clinical Academic Medicine so I can practice as well as research and teach.

Mariah Schroeder

BIO Alumna - Class of 2021

He has studied, taught about and filmed insects all over the world for more than 25 years. A medical entomologist and authority on mosquitoes, bed bugs and other blood-sucking insects, his close-up footage has been featured on network and cable television programs worldwide. His documentary series “Mosquito Man” was recognized internationally and his film "Bedbugs of London" received an Honorable Mention for macro-cinematography from the International Wildlife Film Festival.

Robert Hancock, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology

Meet Our Faculty & Staff

Looking for someone? An advisor? Faculty member?

Biology Faculty & Staff

Alumni Corner

Calling all Biology alumni! What have you been up to since you graduated? We'd love to know!

If you'd like to share any career adventures or milestones with us, we'd love to hear about it and share with the MSU Denver community! Let's stay connected!

Submit Your Stories Here!

Phone: 303-615-0777

Email: [email protected]

Fall/Spring Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday
8am-4:30pm

Friday
8am-3:30pm*

*Will close at 2:10pm on department meeting days

Office Location:
Science Building Room 2042 (SI 2042)

Mailing Address:
Campus Box 53
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362

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