Spring 2010
Welcome!  We hope you enjoy exploring Biology at Sweet Briar.  In addition to the links on the left, we have gathered many of our favorite photographs in two pdf presentations. Click here to download a pdf presentation on the Biology Department (3MB) Click here to download a pdf presentation on Field Biology at Sweet Briar (4.5MB)
Alumnae news flashes....  Rita Thomas Brookheart '03 has completed her Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology at Washington University and has started a post-doctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University...Serena Basten '02 has joined Oakland Medical Center (Kaiser Permanente) as an RN in the Emergency Department...Jenn Wiley '06 has been promoted to Scientist in the Immunochemistry section of PPD....Ellena Bethea '06 (BMB) is teaching science at Trinity School in Manhattan. Four Sweet Briar sophomores completed a 14-week Virginia Master Naturalist basic training course.  Allison Bergin, Becky Bonney, Maryanne Grey and Kelsey Hayden received scholarships from Sweet Briar's Ecological Studies and Natural Areas Fund.   In the spring they will follow up on their training by working on a diversity of field projects on campus. Naturalist-in-Residence Mike Hayslett received an Environmental Education grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to support the "Schools for Pools" outreach program. On February 17, Professor Morrissey lectures on "One Thousand Years of Whaling" as part of the Vero Beach (FL) Museum of Art's Distinguished Professor Series. Recent Events Emeritus Professor Ernest P. Edwards turned 90 in September!  A party hosted by the Department of Biology was attended by more than 50 faculty, staff, alumnae and friends.  In addition to a champagne toast and two cakes, the celebration featured a serenade by the Sweet Tones, and a banner painted by Professor of Studio Art Laura Pharis. During her November visit, evolutionary biologist / writer Olivia Judson presented a public lecture and met with the students in Animal Behavior and Evolution in Today's World.
Top: Sara Rothamel with Swainson's Hawk, developing walkingstick eggs, fungus, red swamp crayfish, chain cat shark Bottom: Tagged monarch butterfly, tissue culture, mayapple, veiled chameleon embryo, alumna veterinarian Natasha Ungerer

About the Biology Department

     We share a commitment to our students and the college, a fascination with the natural world, and enthusiasm for teaching and research.

•  We provide a comprehensive biology curriculum for students interested in research, education, conservation and the health professions.  A strong program is never static, and we have recently added courses in Marine Biology, Biomathematics, Insect Biology and Conservation Biology.  In addition to a Biology major, we offer a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major jointly with the Department of Chemistry.
•  Field biology is an important component of our curriculum.  We take advantage of our 3200 acre campus in Field Natural History, Plant Kingdom, Ecology, and Insect Biology.
• Faculty research is supported through an institutional faculty grants program.  In addition, we have been successful in obtaining grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Jeffress Memorial Trust, LI-COR, the Virginia Academy of Sciences, and the Virginia Commonwealth Health Research Board. 
• Our state-of-the-art equipment has been obtained through NSF-ILI, CCLI and research grants, Jeffress Research Grants, and an endowment from the Kresge Foundation.
•  We encourage and support student research.  Biology majors gain research experience in lab courses before completing a semester or more of independent research.  Research is required for the B.S. degree and is optional for the B.A. degree.   Research students participate in a colloquium and present their research at a departmental symposium.  We continually increase our expectations for student research, and our students continually rise to the challenge.
•  We enjoy collaboration with one another, as well as with faculty in other departments.  Members of the Biology Department have conducted joint research projects with members of the Chemistry and Environmental Studies Departments; have written a biomathematics textbook with members of the Mathematics Department and colleagues at the University of Virginia School of Medicine; and have taught interdisciplinary courses with colleagues in Studio Art, Creative Writing, Math and Chemistry.