The Student Experience

Students have access to professors with a broad range of expertise, from the molecular scale to the ecosystem. Faculty have varied research interests that include infectious diseases, circadian rhythms, cellular and molecular biology, plant population genetics, ichthyology (the study of fish), herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians), sea bird conservation, stream and wetland ecology, phylogenomics, and neurology.

Classes take students into both the laboratory and the field. Many laboratories involve outdoor activities and field trips to sites such as Waties Island, wetlands, forests, swamps, and the Carolina bays.

Students have the opportunity to work with faculty on independent research projects. Recent topics have included landscape ecology of golf courses, ecology of the Carolina bays, freshwater ecology, using DNA to determine bird parentage, fungus on beaches, and investigating prions.

Internships, employment, and/or volunteer opportunities are available at locations such as Myrtle Beach State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, pharmacies, veterinary and medical practices, and Ripley’s Aquarium.

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee assists students with career goals in the health professions.