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Welcome to the Department of Biology at Rockford College!It’s an exciting time in the biological sciences. Major advances in research and their potential to deal with human concerns make biology a major focus of the sciences for the 21st century. Biology is a meeting point for sciences; integrating mathematics, chemistry and physics in our understanding of the natural world. Biologists are scientists who work to understand how living beings function at all levels from the subcellular to the biosphere.
Our department offers both BA and BS degrees with a major in biology, as well as a minor in a college education program that emphasizes liberal arts learning. Our students learn how biology as a field of study is enriched by knowledge of other disciplines such as history, philosophy, literature, art, social sciences and economics. The study of biology plays a role in achieving "Rockford College’s Learning Expectations for Graduates: Knowledge to Understand the World, Values to Envision the World, and Skills to Change the World.”
Our aim as a department is to prepare our students with a solid foundation that will serve them well in pursuing a variety of career opportunities after graduation. Many careers will require additional post graduate education or training; careers such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and other health related fields are a few. Graduates may also pursue graduate study and research leading to advanced degrees, preparing for a career in teaching or research. An undergraduate degree in biology can also lead to careers such as biotechnology, conservation, forensic science, political policy, business, industry or pharmaceutical research. With a major in biology and a minor in secondary education, a student can pursue a career teaching sciences in middle or high school.
At Rockford College you will have the opportunity to develop a close relationship with faculty as well as fellow students. We advise our majors to ensure you are taking the courses you need to succeed. Classes are small in size and biology faculty members teach both the lecture and laboratory sections of the courses you will take in the department. Student independent research projects are guided by a faculty mentor. Students will also have an opportunity to develop leadership skills by participating in student organizations such as Alpha Helix and the Science Club.
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James Marshall, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Office: Starr Science 410
Phone: 815-226-4188
E-mail:JMarshall@rockford.edu
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Sean Beckmann, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Phone: 815-226-4133
E-mail: Sbeckmann@rockford.edu
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Troy Skwor, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Postdoctoral Fellow, Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Center for Immunobiology and Vaccine Development
Ph.D. in Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Medicine
B.S. in Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Phone: 815-226-4173
E-mail: Tskwor@rockford.edu
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