Biology at Texas A&M University
The Department of Biology is responsible for research and teaching within the vast disciplines of the biological sciences, from molecular cell biology to ecology and evolutionary biology. Our faculty perform cutting-edge research in a wide array of biological sciences in the laboratory and in the field. Our graduate research programs prepare scientists for careers in academia, industry and government and enhance our understanding of the central role of biological systems in the global environment. Our undergraduate students gain a firm foundation in modern biological sciences to prepare them for a multitude of careers that depend on a solid understanding of biology.
TEACHING
Graduate Education in Biology
Our Graduate Program in Biology offers a diverse range of integrative training opportunities for students seeking a Ph.D. degree in the biological sciences. We offer training in multiple disciplines within Biology, including Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Neurobiology and Behavior, Microbiology, Plant Biology, Biological Clocks, and Physiology and Systems Biology.
All students in our program receive rigorous academic training in biology and carry out their research in competitive, state-of-the-art research labs. Many faculty research programs span multiple research areas and levels of biological organization, creating a dynamic training environment for graduate students. Evolutionary theory sets the stage for many cross-disciplinary research collaborations among our diverse faculty. Our graduate students conduct creative, independent research and scholarship. Graduates of our programs prepare themselves for a wide range of career opportunities and gain positions in academic institutions, government agencies, and industry.
Undergraduate Education in Biology
The Department of Biology is responsible for introducing biological principles to students in every Texas A&M University major. We provide modern and comprehensive B.S. and B.A. curricula in Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Microbiology and Zoology for more than 1500 undergraduate biology majors. These degrees prepare students for various life science careers and are an excellent entrée to the health care professions. If you are interested in pursuing a major in one of our disciplines, or if you are currently a student and would like information on courses or the program, we have excellent undergraduate advisors who will be happy to help you.
The Biology Lower Division Instruction Programs encompass a series of lab courses offered in the biological sciences. Many of these courses are open to students in any major to cover their science requirements.
RESEARCH
Basic biological research has evolved into a broad, fast-paced and dynamic profession that drives newly emerging industries and actively shapes many human endeavors. Both globally and locally, cutting-edge research at Texas A&M University strives to understand the fundamental processes driving life around us and to improve the ways people everywhere manage their health and the health of our planet.
SERVICE
The Department of Biology’s outreach committee is responsible for developing and maintaining outreach projects, such as STEM events at local schools, in the Bryan-College Station area. Over the last few years, the outreach committee has created a sustainable program by meeting with schools in the area to assess need, obtaining resources for experiments, and collaborating with other departments. For more information please visit out Biology Outreach page.
If you would like to join out listserv and get involved with future events, you can sign up by emailing listserv@listserv.tamu.edu, and in the body, you will write SUBSCRIBE biologyoutreach firstname lastname. Or, if you would like to contact us, please email us at Biology_outreach@bio.tamu.edu
COMMITTEES
Elected Committees
| Name | Dates |
| Joe Sorg | Associate Head for Faculty Affairs and Appointed Chair |
| Alan Pepper | 01/01/2023-12/31/2025 |
| Jim Smith | 01/01/2023-12/31/2025 |
| Andy Tag | 01/01/2021-12/31/2024 |
| Asha Rao | 01/01/2023-12/31/2025 |
| Debby Siegele | 01/01/2021-12/31/2024 |
| Mike Smotherman | 01/01/2021-12/31/2024 |
| Bruce Riley | 01/01/2022-12/31/2025 |
| Matt Sachs | 01/01/2022-12/31/2025 |
| Name | Dates |
| Kira Delmore | 09/01/2022-08/31/2025 |
| Christine Merlin | 09/01/2022-08/31/2025 |
| Daniel Paredes-Sabja | 09/01/2020-08/31/2023 |
| Courtney Fitzpatrick | 09/01/2021-08/31/2024 |
| Lamba Sangare | 09/01/2021-08/31/2024 |
| Aref Zarin | 09/01/2021-08/31/2024 |
| Heath Blackmon | Graduate Advisor and ex officio |
| Jennifer Bradford | Graduate Program Coordinator |
| Jen Hulke | graduate student representative |
| Name | Dates |
| Angela Mitchell | 09/01/2022-08/31/2025 |
| Christine Merlin | 09/01/2020-08/31/2023 |
| Bella Farhy | 09/01/2021-08/31/2024 |
| Jerome Menet | 09/01/2021-08/31/2024 |
| Jim Smith | 09/01/2021-08/31/2024 |
| Heath Blackmon | Graduate Advisor and ex officio |
| Jennifer Bradford | Graduate Program Coordinator |
| Riley Buhrow | graduate student representative |
| Name | Dates |
| Kathy Ryan | Appointed Chair |
| Angela Hawkins | 09/01/2020-08/31/2023 |
| Dylan McCreedy | 09/01/2020-08/31/2023 |
| Rene Garcia | 09/01/2021-08/31/2024 |
| Brigitte LeBoeuf | 09/01/2021-08/31/2024 |
| Tapasree Roy Sarkar | 09/01/2021-08/31/2024 |
| Charles Criscione | Director for Academic Affairs and ex officio |
| Asha Rao | Director for Undergraduate Curriculum and ex officio |
| Christine Farris | Director of Undergraduate Programs Office |
Faculty Senate
| Name |
|---|
| Jim Erickson |
| Asha Rao |
| Matthew Sachs |
| Andy Tag |
Appointed Committees
| Bruce Riley | Barbara Earnest |
| Lily Pena | Mike Smotherman |
| Mark Zoran |
| Jason Oldham (chair) | Joseph Sorg |
| John Book | Heath Blackmon |
| Alan Pepper (chair) |
| Susan Reed |
| Wayne Versaw |
| Aurelio Cadena (chair) |
| Denise Valero |
| Richard Gomer (chair) | Bruce Riley |
| Alan Pepper | Angela Mitchell |
| Kira Delmore | Jennifer Dulin |
| Courtney Fitzpatrick |
POLICIES
Department of Biology Policies
- Graduate Student Placement Policy
Department of Biology’s policy on the placement of graduate students. - Research Space Allocation Policy
Department of Biology’s policy on research space allocation. - Equitable Teaching Load Policy
Department of Biology’s policy for equitable teaching loads. - Temporary and Academic Professional Track Faculty
Department of Biology’s policies concerning the appointment of non-tenure-track faculty holding the titles of Laboratory Instructor, Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, and Visiting Faculty (Assistant, Associate and Full Professor). - Dean of Faculties Guidelines for Annual & Mid-Term Review
These guidelines on annual and mid-term performance reviews for faculty are based upon requirements and guidelines found in University Rule 12.01.99.M2 - Tenure and Promotion
Department of Biology’s policies concerning the tenure and promotion of faculty holding the titles of Assistant, Associate, Full and Distinguished Professor. - Guidelines for Parental Leave
College of Science guidelines for parental leave for the birth or adoption of a new child. - Annual Review
Guidelines for annual performance evaluations. - Post Tenure Review
Guidelines for post tenure review - Graduate Program Committee Duties
The policies and responsibilities of the Graduate Programs Committee. - Undergraduate Programs Committee Duties
The policies and responsibilities of the Undergraduate Programs Committee.
Texas A&M University Policies
- Guidelines for Parental Leave
TAMU guidelines for parental leave for the birth or adoption of a new child. - Outside Employment Requests
Applicable to both faculty and staff, this links to the university’s policies and required forms. - University Rules
Texas A&M’s searchable listing of rules and regulations. Should be reviewed in conjunction with the System Rules (see below). - Texas A&M University System Policies and Bylaws
Contains the system’s policies and regulations. - Scholastic Deficiency
Policies for dealing with the scholastic deficiency of a graduate student.
FORMS
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Academic Professional Track (Non-Tenure): Instructional Assistant/Associate Professor
Texas A&M University: College of Arts & Sciences: Biology
Location
Open Date
Nov 01, 2022
Description
The Department of Biology in the College of Arts & Sciences at Texas A&M University invites applications for a full-time academic professional track (non-tenure) position with a 9-month academic appointment beginning August 1, 2023. Applicants will be considered for the faculty titles of Instructional Assistant/Associate Professor, depending on qualifications. This position is teaching-intensive (70%) and includes expectations for scholarship and/or service (30%). This is a renewable position with an opportunity for advancement in the instructional track going from Instructional Assistant Professor to Instructional Associate Professor to Instructional Full Professor.
The primary role of this position is to provide high-quality biology instruction to undergraduates. The department has particular needs in its 2-course Introductory Biology series, and its upper-level courses in Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 111, 112, 319, and 320: course descriptions: https://www.bio.tamu.edu/undergraduate-programs/).
More information about Bryan-College Station
Bryan-College Station, home to Texas A&M University, is a vibrant, dynamic, and rapidly growing community that offers cultural diversity, arts and entertainment, job opportunities, and overall quality of life. Located in the heart of the Houston-Dallas-Austin triangle, the region offers the modern amenities of a big city with a warm, small-town charm, and the community’s low cost of living is advantageous to the student and general populations, making it an ideal place to live. Many exceptional natural history destinations (e.g. Big Thicket National Preserve) are less than a day’s drive away. Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by promoting a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability. Diverse perspectives, talents, and identities are vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values.
Qualifications
The candidate must have a Ph.D. degree in biology or a related field. Preference will be given to candidates that have experience in teaching undergraduate-level biology courses. Additional experience with student-centered pedagogical teaching approaches that enhance student success and further the undergraduate teaching mission of the Department of Biology is desirable.
Application Instructions
For full consideration, applicants should submit a cover letter that outlines relevant experience (as related to the qualifications), curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy, and contact information for three references. Application materials must be submitted online at http://apply.interfolio.com/115569.
If you have any questions about this search, please direct e-mails to Dr. Charles Criscione (ccriscione@bio.tamu.edu) or Dr. Asha Rao (arao@bio.tamu.edu), chairs of the search committee.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by promoting a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability. Diverse perspectives, talents, and identities are vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.
Two Postdoctoral Research Positions in the Bell-Pedersen Lab, Texas A&M University
The Bell-Pedersen lab at Texas A&M University seeks 2 postdocs to study the mechanisms of circadian clock control of mRNA translation and metabolism in Neurospora and/or mammalian cells. https://www.bellpedersenlab.com
Environment: We are in the Biology Department at Texas A&M (https://bio.tamu.edu) and are part of the interdisciplinary program of Genetics (https://genetics.tamu.edu), and the Center for Research on Biological Rhythms (https://clocks.tamu.edu). These programs bring together members of several departments from a variety of scientific and international backgrounds. The atmosphere is enthusiastic, collaborative and supportive. Texas A&M is Tier 1 research institution with expansive research facilities, and College Station is a small, friendly, low cost of living, university town located between Austin and Houston.
Requirements: PhD in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or related fields, and experience working independently. Expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, and/or computational biology is preferred. Applicants are expected to exhibit a desire to work collaboratively and help maintain a supportive environment in the lab.
Application: Applicants should send (1) a cover letter that includes their research interests and career goals and (2) a CV that includes the names, emails and phone numbers of at least two references to Deborah Bell-Pedersen (dpedersen@tamu.edu). Applications will be reviewed as received. Please contact me if you have any questions