What you will study
Integrative Biology majors at the University of Central Missouri study and learn research
methods to understand the diversity within the major groups of living organisms. These
include fungi, algae, plants, insects and other invertebrates, amphibians, fish, reptiles,
birds and mammals. You’ll learn the structure, functions, classification, development
and evolution of your favorite organism.
To earn your Integrative Biology degree in Animal Biology, you’ll complete core coursework,
followed by courses in specialty topics. The classes you may take as an Animal Biology
major include:
- Mammalian Physiology
- Wildlife Disease
- Molecular Technology
- Endocrinology
- Histology
Research lab work is at the core of our Animal Biology degree
UCM offers a full range of specialized lab-based courses for Animal Biology majors.
Ph.D. faculty, not graduate assistants, teach the vast majority of all lab courses
to give you expert guidance in the specialized areas that help you understand what
integrative biology is, including molecular biology, genetics, anatomy, physiology,
ecology and evolution.
In the real world, many Animal Biology majors work in labs, often conducting animal
research in integrative biology. We prepare you for this and other career paths with
an Animal Biology degree.
Unique learning opportunities in Animal Biology
The UCM approach to learning is active, lab-based and focused on real-world skills
and knowledge you’ll need to reach your career goals as an Integrative Biology major
in Animal Biology.
- Career-building internships and clubs: Internships with the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Department of Natural
Resources, nonprofits and businesses provide real-world experiences to learn firsthand
what integrative biology is. UCM chapters of the American Fisheries Society and Wildlife
Society, among other clubs, offer Integrative Biology majors opportunities to build
relationships and explore different career options.
- Co-curricular grants and research projects: The UCM Biology faculty involve Animal Biology majors in research projects from start
to finish. You’ll learn how to secure grants and design and conduct studies that make
a real impact. You’ll also master presentation skills and have opportunities to co-publish
research studies.
- Extensive field and lab work: Build your research skills in real-world, professional settings, such as our 300-acre
Pertle Springs Nature Preserve; 3,000-square-foot animal and aquatic research center;
and state-of-the-art molecular and cellular biology labs.
- Innovative Resources: At UCM undergraduate and graduate students alike get hands-on access to our most innovative
resources. Train on our bioreactor, PCR systems, fully equipped histology set and
other lab equipment typically reserved for grad research at larger universities. We
are also one of the few non-veterinary schools in the nation to have a necropsy lab
for animal study and research. Students at all levels also have access to our sizable collections of biological
specimens, including our rare entomology and historic ichthyology collections.
What can you do with an Integrative Biology degree from UCM?
UCM professors have long-standing relationships with many regional government agencies
in fields related to your Animal Biology degree. Coursework and internships can open
career opportunities for Integrative Biology majors in Animal Biology with agencies
such as the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Natural Resources or the Missouri
Department of Conservation.
With your Animal Biology degree, you could also consider job opportunities with nonprofit
organizations, research laboratories, businesses or educational institutions.
What is Integrative Biology and what careers can I pursue?
Since the study of integrative biology ranges from the molecular level to large ecosystems,
your career choices are exciting and diverse. With your Integrative Biology major
in Animal Biology, you could work in agriculture, regulatory affairs, food sciences,
bioinformatics, animal breeding or forensic science and many other career fields.
Many UCM Animal Biology majors choose to continue their studies to become veterinarians,
pharmacists, senior researchers, medical doctors or geneticists and more.
Use the interactive tool below to explore potential career pathways and salaries with
an Animal Biology degree from the University of Central Missouri.
Financial assistance options for your Animal Biology degree
The University of Central Missouri offers a variety of ways to finance your education, including university scholarships, awards and other financial aid.
Many scholarships are also available specifically for Biology majors, including undergraduate
students in UCM’s Animal Biology degree program. You may qualify to apply for opportunities
such as these:
- Carlos Kays Biology and Earth Science Scholarship
- Dr. John Beishe Biology Scholarship
- Steven H. Mills and Stephen W. Wilson Research Award
- John Hess Health Professions Scholarship
- UCM Honors Project Research Fund
- Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program
You can learn more about program-specific scholarships at the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Newly Renovated Facilities and Labs
Multiple indoor and outdoor learning sites
Join other Animal Biology majors at UCM in labs and classrooms and at fieldwork sites,
including our 3,000+ square- foot animal and aquatic research center and our 300-acre
Pertle Springs Nature Preserve on campus. Our science facilities also include upgraded
teaching labs, lecture halls and classrooms, and a renovated student lounge and workspace.
Meet Joel S.
BS Biology - Integrative Biology, Animal Biology ’14 - Ph.D. candidate, St. Louis
University
“UCM laid the foundation of my scientific career. My coursework challenged me to discover
not just what an answer was, but also its mechanistic underpinnings, allowing me to
hypothesize answers to questions not yet asked. These skills of logical reasoning
and curiosity propelled me to obtain a prestigious fellowship. I am the first member
of my family to seek a Ph.D.”
Meet Our Faculty
Renowned research and integrative biology experts
UCM biology professors have worked in the public, private and government sectors.
What integrative biology is to each of them is demonstrated through their diverse
research interests. They’ve been published by Biotechniques, Developmental Cell, British
Journal of Medicine, the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Copiea and many other
professional and academic publications.
Faculty Research Areas
Pertle Springs Nature Preserve and Beyond
Unique, on-campus site for fieldwork
Few universities offer a 3,000-acre lab where you can learn teamwork and master skills
valued by employers. As a UCM Animal Biology major, you’ll conduct field studies —
using a high-tech drone, pontoon boat and GPS — in outdoor classrooms that include
woodlands, lakes and marshes.
Undergraduate Research Projects
UCM Honors College and McNair Scholars Program
These two programs offer funding for supplies and travel for research projects and
academic studies, and each program has its own application process and eligibility
requirements. Animal Biology majors can work with UCM Biology professors to design
a proposal, conduct research, develop a project summary and prepare a professional
presentation.
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