Department of Biology Resources + Information: https://www.biology.colostate.edu/covid-19-faq/

Main Office Contact Information: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm: CNS-Bio_Info@colostate.edu or 970-491-7011

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Dr. Melinda Smith leads CSU ecologists launch study on droughts, deluges and carbon cycles in grasslands.
A $1 million DOE-funded study will combine field experiments and computer modeling to assess how extreme weather patterns brought on by climate change impact grasslands.

Welcome to the Department of Biology at Colorado State University. Our internationally-recognized research and education programs focus on organisms, diving into mechanistic detail about how they work, or stepping back to consider how they interact with each other and with their environment.  From cells to the biosphere, we make discoveries about fundamental questions in Biology, and we use this new knowledge to make the world a better place.  CSU Biology is a place where everyone is welcome to indulge their curiosity about the living world.

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Student Highlights

A Day in the Life of Biology Student An-Ping Yu

Marissa Martinez’s stay-curious energy earned her a feature in @natgeotv’s new show, “Science Fair: The Series,” and propelled her all the way to the International Science and Engineering Fair, securing her a full-ride scholarship through the @boettcherfdn to study biology right here at @CSUNaturalSciences 📚🥼

Catch #ScienceFairTheSeries on @hulu and @disneyplus, out now 📺 👀

The trailerThe storyThe feature

Marissa Martinez - NatGeo's "Science Fair: The Series"

“Biology graduate student promotes importance of self in lab”

by Allie Ruckman, featuring Mel Morado

“Recognizing and addressing oppression in the sciences”

by Allie Ruckman, featuring Marina Rodriguez, Amir Alayoubi and Beth Wittmann

“Q&A with Boettcher Scholar and International Science and Engineering Fair participant”

by Allie Ruckman, featuring Marissa Martinez

Class Highlights

Course Snapshots

BZ223 – Plant Identification: With the ecological and environmental issues we are facing as a society, plant Identification skills are more important than ever. Learn how to identify flowering plants in a way that will serve you no matter where you live/work in the future!

BZ311 – Developmental Biology: The details of life are important. Join us in developmental biology, where we discuss how organisms form.

BZ300 – Animal Behavior: For anyone interested in understanding how and why animals do what they do!

BZ440 – Plant Physiology: Who is this course for? • Students who are interested in understanding various facets of plant functions at cellular, organellar and whole plant level during its life time. • Students who also wants to learn various physiological aspects at the molecular level and how these processes regulate the plants response to changing environment conditions which in turn influences their growth and productivity. • The main target groups are upper-division undergraduate students with backgrounds/career interests in Biology, Horticulture, Soil and Crop Science, Forestry, Rangeland Ecology, and related areas. Graduate students conducting research in similar fields are also welcome. • Those students who want to pursue plant research related jobs in private sector, federal and state institutions are encouraged to enroll as this course fulfils their basic requirements.

BZ339 Section 001 – Animal Behavioral Ecology Field Course: Study Behavioral Ecology in the Field this Summer!

BZ339 Section 002 – Field Methods in Plant Ecology: Great opportunity for gaining experience in field-based plant research this summer!

Course Snapshots

BZ424/520 – Principles of Systematic Science/Advanced Systematics: Students interested in developing and evaluating phylogenetic hypotheses and the many real-world applications of systematic science should consider this course, which allows them to develop research skills relevant to evolutionary biology.

BZ492F/692G – How Museums Democratize Science: As part of CSU’s Democracy and Civic Engagement Thematic Year, Biology is offering a seminar on the role of museums and collections in engaging the public in science.

Our Education Abroad programs are as diverse as they are enticing! Check out our programs and learn more about these incredible opportunities here: col.st/5HJgz

Field Mammalogy (BZ 340)

A successful specimen prep day! These ground squirrels are ready to be used for instruction in BZ330: Mammalogy. Keep an eye out for these specimens in our teaching collection.

Learn more about specimen prep here: YouTube | Museum Prep 101

Warning: The linked video explains the process of preparing museum specimens. The content may be considered graphic by some.

“Pursuing new educational frontiers” – by Allie Ruckman, Elements

A brand-new course in the Department of Biology, Behavior and Biology of African Mammals, brought 16 students to Kenya summer 2023 to practice fieldwork and observational skills in an environment very unlike that of Northern Colorado.

News

Butterfly Pavilion and CSU form groundbreaking partnership to battle ‘invertebrate apocalypse’

With habitat loss and climate change threatening invertebrates – animals without backbones who form the essential foundation for every ecosystem on the planet – Butterfly Pavilion and Colorado State University announced a formal agreement to create a partnership to benefit entomology, as well as human and ecosystem well-being.

Best Teacher Awards: Celebrating CSU’s best teachers

The Best Teacher Awards celebration is set for March 26 in the Lory Student Center Theatre.

Dan Bush named a pioneer member for the American Society of Plant Biology

Bush, former chair of the Department of Biology and vice provost for faculty affairs at CSU, was honored for his significant contributions to the field of plant science and the scientific community.

CSU researcher leads global study of extreme drought impacts on grasslands and shrublands

A global study organized and led by Colorado State University scientists shows that the effects of extreme drought – which is expected to increase in frequency with climate change – has been greatly underestimated for grasslands and shrublands.

Calendar

Features

Seminars

Find Us

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

Colorado State University
Biology Building, Room 111

1878 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523

Telephone: 970-491-7011
Fax: 970-491-0649
Email: CNS-Bio_Info@colostate.edu