Preparing health care professionals for a world that needs them
Supportive mentors, experience in the field and a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences prepare Augustana graduates for the complex future of health care.
Integrated Reflection and Inquiry in the Sciences (IRIS)
With IRIS, students are engaged in the scientific process throughout their time at Augustana. Deep learning of the science of biology is fostered through intentional reflection and gaining fundamental skills related to independent learning, accessing information, and communication.
IRIS coursework
Years 1-4 are spent in core and upper-level classes in which students work with the scientific method. Students reflect more deeply about their growth as a person and future as a professional trained in the biological disciplines.
Year 4 is devoted to Senior Inquiry. Seniors work more rigorously than ever before with the scientific process that brings synthesis to their time as a biology student
Course Options in Senior Inquiry
Biology Literature (BIOL 464)
Students develop a research question and complete an extensive literature search on a topic related to a specific area of focus, culminating in a formal report.
Recent classes: Winter Biology, Conservation Biology, Epigenetics, Comparative Anatomy, and Bird Conservation.
Intensive Lab or Field Research (BIOL 465)
Students participate in a laboratory/field research project under the direction of an Augustana faculty mentor that includes data collection, analysis, and summarizing results in a technical report.
Recent classes: Research in Field Biology, Molecular Genetics.
Off Campus Research (BIOL466)
Completed in summer immediately preceding the senior year. Students participate in a lab/field research project as part of an 8-10 week research program at another institution. As with BIOL465, students collect data and summarize results in consultation with the advising coordiantor and institution.
