Department of Biology Resources + Information: biology.colostate.edu/resources-guidelines/
Events, Dates, + Deadlines: biology.colostate.edu/dates-deadlines/
Main Office Contact Information: Monday – Friday | 7:30am – 4:30pm | CNS-Bio_Info@colostate.edu | 970-491-7011
Summer 2025 Office Hours: May 19th – August 22nd | Monday – Thursday| 8:30am – 4:00pm | Fridays – Closed
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.
Name & Days of the Week
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Aaron Jacobs | Campus | Campus | Campus | Remote | Remote | |||||
Abbie Reade | Campus | Campus | Campus | Remote | Campus | |||||
Alpana Damle | Campus | Campus | Remote | Campus | Campus | |||||
Amy Olson | Campus | Campus | Remote | Remote | ||||||
Ayo Garner | Campus | Remote | Campus | Remote | Campus until noon | |||||
Dorothy Ramirez | Remote | Campus | Campus | Campus | Remote | |||||
Elizabeth Saunders | Remote | Campus | Campus | Remote | Campus | |||||
Julie Wenzel | Campus | Campus | Campus | Campus | Remote | |||||
Kristin Anderson | Remote | Campus | Remote | Campus | Campus | |||||
Liz Hysen | Campus | Remote | Campus | Campus | Remote | |||||
Maddie Ford | Campus | Campus | Campus | Remote | Remote | |||||
Maggie Weir | Remote | Campus | Campus | Campus | Remote | |||||
Maylou Flores | Campus | Campus | Remote | Campus | Remote | |||||
Ren Hellmuth | Campus | Campus | Campus | Remote | Campus | |||||
Shivon Costin | Campus | Campus | Remote | Campus | Remote | |||||
Sydney Spiller | Remote | Campus | Campus AM Remote PM |
Campus | Remote AM Campus PM |
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Tyler Heyne | Campus | Remote | Campus | Remote | Campus |
Student Highlights
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 📺 👀
“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
“Amphibian Week Highlights Critical Conservation Research at CSU”
by Elizabeth Rylance, featuring grad student, Katherine Stroh, & Biology professors, Chris Funk, and Rachel Mueller
Program Highlights
The Department of Biology houses the Biology Teaching Collections. The program maintains a large collection of specimens that we use in our classes. There are over 13,000 specimens, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, representatives of most invertebrate groups, and plants of all kinds. This collection has been an important part of instruction for the past century and is being reorganized to help better serve this purpose through volunteers.
Interested in volunteering or seeing the collections? Contact Tanya Dewey (tdewey@rams.colostate.edu) or Jennifer Brady (jbrady94@rams.colostate.edu) for more information on getting involved. This program showcases the amazing volunteers, graduate students and professors who are part of keeping this collection thriving. Joining as a volunteer includes learning what we do to keep this place running while also discussing what the collections are all about.
Video Credits
Music: Summer Somewhere In Cuba | Artist: Cumbia Deli | Videography: CSU Natural Sciences | YouTube: col.st/Ywk5i
Course Offerings
Course Snapshots
LIFE 102 – Attributes of Living Systems
This course is an introductory biology course that works well for both incoming Freshmen and outgoing Seniors. It not only provides a basis for more-advanced courses in life sciences, but also serves as an effective review for more-advanced students.
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.
BZ339 Section 001 – Field Methods in Grassland Ecosystem Ecology
Develop field skills used in research on challenges facing grassland ecosystems in this intensive summer course. You will come away with perspectives on the structure of research and the process of collecting data in the field.
BZ339 Section 002 – Methods in Habitat and Species Diversity Assessment
This course will explore the diverse field methods of assessing habitat types and species diversity by combining classroom learning and practical applications of field research in the great outdoors. Students will apply these techniques at designated field sites in and around Fort Collins, where they will evaluate habitat characteristics and the associated flora and fauna. Additionally, students will develop their own research proposals, drawing from their field experiences to design meaningful ecological studies. This course offers a rigorous yet engaging introduction to the many ways scientists observe and conduct research on animals and plants in their natural environments.
BZ350-801 – Molecular & General Genetics
Because this course is online and asynchronous, it is a great option for students who have a summer job or internship and can’t take an in person class.
Course Snapshots
LIFE 102 – Attributes of Living Systems
This course is an introductory biology course that works well for both incoming Freshmen and outgoing Seniors. It not only provides a basis for more-advanced courses in life sciences, but also serves as an effective review for more-advanced students.
BZ220 – Introduction to Evolution
NEW Online! Learn how to communicate science to your friends, family, and the wider society in ways that make it feel exciting and important.
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!
BZ300 – Animal Behavior
For anyone interested in understanding how and why animals do what they do!
BZ544 – Effective Scientific Presentations
Learn how to communicate science to your friends, family, and the wider society in ways that make it feel exciting and important.
BZ572 – Phytoremediation
Our planet faces numerous environmental risks stemming from industrial development, including mining, gas emissions, chemical fertilizers, pesticide applications, and municipal waste generation. The accumulation of these contaminants in soil, water, and air harms plants, animals, humans, and the environment. Various strategies, such as chemical-based, physicochemical, and biological methods, have been employed to remediate these pollutants. Among these, the biological methods, especially phytoremediation, are the most accepted strategy because they are energy efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly. It is important to understand the sources of different pollutants and how we can reduce their accumulation at both the generation and decontamination levels. In this course, we will cover the different types of pollutants and their sources, the various strategies to remediate them, and the pros and cons of each approach with emphasis on bioremediation. This limited seats, 3-credit course will provide each student with the opportunity to practice searching databases, preparing reports or reviews, creating presentations, presenting to a group, and participating in scientific discussions in addition to acquiring knowledge about the course subject. Graduate and undergraduate students from biology, horticulture, soil and crop science, forestry, ecology, chemistry, and engineering will benefit from this course.
Course Snapshots
LIFE 102 – Attributes of Living Systems
This course is an introductory biology course that works well for both incoming Freshmen and outgoing Seniors. It not only provides a basis for more-advanced courses in life sciences, but also serves as an effective review for more-advanced students.
BZ320 – Biogeographic Approaches to Conservation
This is an opportunity to learn about the dynamic field of conservation biogeography!
BZ415 – Marine Biology
This course explores marine life from the microscopic single cell organisms to the largest whales and describes how they are all connected.
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 want 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.
BZ460 – Genome Evolution
For upper-level undergraduates interested in the synthesis and evolutionary biology and molecular biology.
Our Education Abroad programs are as diverse as they are enticing! Check out our programs and learn more about these incredible opportunities here: CSU | Education Abroad | Recommended CNS Programs Abroad
Learn more about CSU’s Education Abroad Programs here: CSU | Education Abroad
Speak with an advisor to see if these programs are right for you!: CSU | Biology | Advising
Application Deadlines
Behavior and Biology of African Mammals in Kenya: Summer Break – APPLY
- Early Deadline: December 1st
- Final Deadline: February 15th
Dolphin Behavior & Physiology in Honduras: Winter & Summer Break – APPLY
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Winter 2025
- Priority Deadline: May 1st
- Final Deadline: September 15th
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Summer 2025
- Priority Deadline: December 1st
- Final Deadline: March 30th
Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation of Biodiversity in Ecuador: Winter Break – APPLY
- Priority Deadline: May 1st
- Final Deadline: September 15th
Field Biology & Behavior of Primates in Madagascar: Summer Break – APPLY
- Priority Deadline: December 1st
- Final Deadline: March 23rd
First Year Seminar Abroad: Biology in Australia: August – APPLY
- Priority Deadline: April 15th
- Final Deadline: May 6th
Marine Biology in Mexico: Fall Break – APPLY
- Early Deadline: March 1st
- Final Deadline: April 15th
Class Highlights
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
Crab Lab offers gateway into marine biology-type research in landlocked Colorado
Head graduated with a Ph.D. from the Department of Biology after studying the complicated life cycle process and genetics of molting crabs.
New research shows how solar arrays can aid grasslands during drought
New research from Colorado State University and Cornell University shows that the presence of solar panels in Colorado’s grasslands may reduce water stress, improve soil moisture levels and – particularly during dry years – increase plant growth by about 20% or more compared to open fields.
Biology researcher’s paper explores agriculture practices, solar energy and photovoltaic systems
Matt Sturchio, a former graduate student and researcher in the Department of Biology, is the first author on a new paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences assessing the relationships between agriculture practices in the U.S. and solar energy and photovoltaic systems.
Professor Donald Mykles retiring after 40 years at Colorado State University, running Crab Lab
Mykles is set to retire from CSU this summer after teaching in the Department of Biology for 40 years. Under his leadership, the “Crab Lab” was one of the largest research groups on campus – frequently hosting many undergrads for their first projects while also supporting numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
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