As leaders in the education of a highly trained and diverse scientific workforce, our mission is to provide a dynamic educational experience by engaging students in hands-on, inquiry-based learning activities at the bench and in the field. Through these experiences our students will gain a conceptual and experiential understanding of the biological sciences spanning from molecules to ecosystems.<br><br>Our Program goals are to:<br><br>Serve the diverse student population of our region.<br>Educate students to be intellectually agile and technologically proficient.<br>Provide students with intensive, rigorous laboratory and field experiences within the context of their regular coursework.<br>Create individualized mentoring opportunities and state-of-the-art learning experiences within the context of our faculty research programs.<br>Foster creativity, a sound theoretical foundation, and the ability to communicate effectively and interact cooperatively.<br>Make substantial contributions to the scientific community through our research efforts and that of our students.