Biology and Environmental Health

Faculty:
Kilmer M-Chair, Willand - Asst. Chair, Barry, Bechtold, Boman, Burris, Johnson, Kilmer J, Lemmons, Penning, Perkins, and Rhodes
Reynolds Hall room 210 • 417-625-9766

Mission

Our mission is to provide a stimulating and challenging Biology curriculum, excellence in teaching, quality academic advising, outstanding general education courses and dedicated community and university service, as well as international opportunities for students.

Coursework within biology can encompass a wide range of topics including anatomy, botany, cell biology, ecology, evolution, physiology, zoology and many others. The curriculum for a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology is arranged into several areas of study in order to highlight courses that are most appropriate for a particular area of interest.

Biomedical Sciences: Students interested in pre-dental, pre-medical, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-physician assistant, or pre-veterinary medicine studies should consider courses that are listed within the area of biomedical sciences. The coursework is designed to align with the prerequisite requirements for professional schools such as medical, dental, or pharmacy school.

Physical or Occupational Therapy: Students interested in a career in physical therapy or occupational therapy will benefit from courses in this track. This coursework is designed to meet all the requirements of a professional school

Ecology, Evolution and Field/Conservation Biology: Students interested in botany, conservation, ecology, evolution, aquatic biology, wildlife, zoology, or other related topics should consider courses that are listed within the area of field or conservation biology. These courses provide a solid educational background for students wanting to pursue graduate studies or careers in these related areas.

Biotechnology, Microbiology, Genetics: Students interested in biological research, cell and molecular biology, genetics, biological techniques, etc… should consider courses in this area. These courses provide the knowledge and skills needed for students wanting to pursue careers or graduate studies in these related areas.

General Biology: Students interested in a more broad range of biological topics should consider courses that are listed within the area of general biology. These courses provide a diverse educational background that would allow students to pursue graduate studies or careers in a wide range of biological sciences.

Bachelor of Science in Education with a Biology Certification: Will allow students to teach introductory and advanced level courses in biology at the secondary level.

Internships and service learning courses, as well as independent research classes are encouraged for biology majors. Internships and research courses allow the students to gain practical experience in a work or research setting. For internships students work under the joint supervision of a faculty member and a representative of the institute providing the intern experience. For service learning and independent research, students work with a faculty sponsor on an independent project.

For additional information on Biology or Environmental Health Degrees go to mssu.edu/academics/education/biology

For additional information on Biology:
Dr. Mary Kilmer, Department Chair
Reynolds Hall room 210 • 417-625-3564 •Kilmer-M@mssu.edu

Environmental Health

Faculty:
Boman - Director, Bechtold and Perkins
Reynolds Hall 228 • 417-625-9704

Mission

Our Mission is to provide students the knowledge, skills and credentials necessary to work as an environmental health and safety professional or to continue in environmental health and safety graduate studies. Environmental Health is the science of preventing physical, chemical or biological hazards from adversely impacting human health or the ecological balances that sustain our environment. Safety is the control of hazards to an acceptable level. Career opportunities include professional positions with public health departments, environmental protection agencies, environmental consultants and occupational health and safety divisions of industry.

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and Safety degree program is fully accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC). We provide the option of either an on campus track or a distance learning track to obtain the BS degree in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). Major codes are EH02 on campus track or EH04 distance track.

Any student who holds an Associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution may be eligible for the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) program. The BAS in EHS requires upper division coursework in EHS and electives chosen in consultation with an EHS advisor that would enhance their success in a career in one of the many areas of the broad field of environmental health and safety. Example electives may include, but are not limited to, the areas of: business, management, industrial technology, communications, social sciences, geography, geology, water/wastewater, sustainability or lower division EHS courses.

The Environmental Health and Safety Program is recognized as a Qualified Academic Program (QAP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). All graduating students, BS or BAS, earn the Graduate Safety Practioner (GSP) designation. The EHS Program also offers 5 career enhancing certificates. Our certificates are designed for individuals who are not earning a BS or BAS in EHS, but are interested in our field of study. They can be earned by degree or non-degree seeking individuals in order to enhance their career opportunities. We offer a variety of certificates that are tailored towards different aspects of environmental health and safety.

Certificates require 12-15hrs of coursework. More than one certificate may be earned.

An Advanced Placement exam score of 3, 4, or 5 on the Environmental Science exam will be accepted as credit for EH 0107 EH 0107 - Environmental Science at MSSU.

MSSU Environmental Health & Safety Faculty contact for the Environmental Health & Safety Degrees:
Dr. Teresa Boman, Program Director

Reynolds Hall Room 228
417-625-9704 • boman-t@mssu.edu

Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Remote Pilot Applications

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Remote Pilot Applications certificate is housed within the Biology and Environmental Health Department.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drone) Certificate, Biology, BI90 .

Students will learn fundamental operational skills for small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) as well as design, construction, and practical applications for drones for commercial workforce operations. This 9-credit hour certificate program consists of three sequential courses (3 credit hours each) and will require three semesters for completion. Upon completion of the coursework, students will attain FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification as a Remote Pilot. New applications for small unmanned aircraft systems are developing rapidly in many areas including law enforcement (including search and rescue), environmental studies, geographical information systems including mapping, surveying, and imaging, assessment of hazardous environmental conditions, humanitarian efforts innovative delivery systems for medications and supplies, military applications, agricultural applications including yield projections and control of irrigation systems and other machinery, applications for numerous shipping and delivery systems, and many more applications. Obtaining FAA certification as a remote pilot can significantly augment skills needed for numerous, various career areas including, but not limited do, law enforcement and other emergency services, natural resources and conservation, agriculture, disaster management, insurance companies, journalism, telecommunications, and various industries.

For additional information call 417-625-9766.

For additional information on Biology or Environmental Health Degrees go to mssu.edu/academics/education/biology

For additional information on Biology:
Dr. Mary Kilmer, Department Chair
Reynolds Hall room 210 • 417-625-3564 • Kilmer-M@mssu.edu

Programs

Major Programs (Undergraduate)

Certificates (Undergraduate)

Minors (Undergraduate)

Biology Minor, BI80

Teacher Education Programs

Biology Education Major, Grades 9-12, BSE

Courses

Biology

Environmental Health

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