Mission and Vision

Mission

We discover, develop, and disseminate knowledge in the biological sciences.

Vision

The Department of Biological Sciences will be a recognized regional, national, and international leader in research, and in undergraduate and graduate education in life sciences.

Guiding Principles

  • The role of biological science is the discovery and integration of basic knowledge from multiple fields of study as they apply to living systems.
  • Advances in basic and applied knowledge provide a nexus from which theory, technology, and policy arise.
  • The Department of Biological Sciences is the hub of life science initiatives at Michigan Tech and beyond—advancing knowledge and developing solutions.
  • Our reputation and central Lake Superior location positions us to be a leader in Great Lakes research.
  • All students need a diverse educational experience through which they can develop an appreciation of the connectedness of life and the environment across all scales of organization—from molecules to ecosystems.
  • The department is a leader in teaching biological literacy within the University, the surrounding citizenry, and the K–12 community.
  • We value the direct and the intangible benefits that emerge from a diverse complement of research and teaching faculty.

Goals and Plans Over the Next Five Years

  • We will maintain and enhance our reputation for providing excellence in undergraduate education in a broad range of biological disciplines.
  • We will maintain and grow our high-quality research and graduate programs focused in ecology, evolution, and molecular biosciences.
  • We will continue to develop our existing strengths in educating students in medical lab sciences and pre-health professions.
  • We will foster interdisciplinary research and graduate training partnerships in human health related fields.
  • We will be the interdisciplinary leader in biochemistry at Michigan Tech.
  • We will grow our department to 21 tenure-track faculty, 400 undergraduate students and 40–50 graduate students.
  • As we grow, we will preserve the synergy between research and professional development of graduate and undergraduate students within an interactive community of scholars.