Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences offers programs which are designed to educate broadly trained scientists who can creatively solve scientific problems involving life and the environment. Flexibility in curriculum choices allows students to prepare for graduate school or begin professional careers in a variety of fields. Each student works closely with department faculty members in developing a course of study that best suits individual objectives.

Major, Minor

Biology

Biology majors at Mount Union get unique hands-on experiences both in the lab and outside the classroom at the University's Huston-Brumbaugh Nature Center.

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Minor, Major

Environmental Science

With the environment a frequent topic of conversation today, the need for experienced environmental scientists is growing. Mount Union's major in environmental science provides students with the knowledge and hands-on experiences to be leaders in the field.

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Minor

Sustainability

Mount Union's minor in sustainability pairs well with several majors as students become environmentally savvy through classroom learning and hands-on experiences at the Huston-Brumbaugh Nature Center.

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Faculty Spotlights

Dr. Kim Risley Professor of Biology and Milton J. Lichty Chair in Biology

Dr. Amy McElhinney Associate Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Sustainability Coordinator

Dr. Mark McNaught Associate Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Dr. Andrew Hutsky Assistant Professor

Heather Mercer Biology Faculty and Lab Coordinator

Dr. Christopher Marks Associate Professor of Biology

Dr. Phil LaScola Associate Professor of Biology

Dr. Michael Zimmerman Associate Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Dr. Jason Smith Director of the Huston Brumbaugh Nature Center, Professor of Biology and John D. Brumbaugh Chair in Environmental and Ecological Science

Dr. Kim Risley

Professor of Biology and Milton J. Lichty Chair in Biology

Students at the University of Mount Union have a lot of resources available to them. There is a feeling of personalized attention here that is not as tangible at other institutions of higher learning.

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Dr. Amy McElhinney

Associate Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Sustainability Coordinator

My favorite part of the job is interacting with students as a teacher, advisor, research mentor, and field trip leader.

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Dr. Mark McNaught

Associate Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences

I enjoy teaching in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

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Dr. Andrew Hutsky

Assistant Professor

My favorite part of my job is interacting and mentoring students ...

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Heather Mercer

Biology Faculty and Lab Coordinator

Students get a very personal experience at Mount Union. They are known by their instructors, and I really feel that our instructors care a lot about the students. You are never "just a number" at Mount Union!

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Dr. Christopher Marks

Associate Professor of Biology

I love science and I love teaching. The Nature Center is very close and a great resource for students.

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Dr. Phil LaScola

Associate Professor of Biology

As a student, my favorite course was anatomy and physiology, and now I teach it! I enjoyed my time at Mount Union as a student and loved how my professors motivated me to learn.

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Dr. Michael Zimmerman

Associate Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Faculty are not always accessible at institutions of higher education, but faculty availability is a staple of education at Mount Union.

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Dr. Jason Smith

Director of the Huston Brumbaugh Nature Center, Professor of Biology and John D. Brumbaugh Chair in Environmental and Ecological Science

One interesting fact about me is if you are a fan of the Netflix series “Stranger Things”, you can see me (briefly) in Season 4, in episode 5. Don’t blink though!

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News

October 23, 2024 Continuing Focus on Sustainability, Mount Union Again Earns Princeton Review Green College Status
The University of Mount Union is proud to once again be named to The Princeton Review’s annual Guide to Green Colleges for 2025.
October 14, 2024 Chapman ’25 Applies Classroom Knowledge in Real-World Environmental, Health, and Safety Internship at Sherwin-Williams
Lauryn Chapman ‘25 reflects on her summer 2024 internship at Sherwin-Williams as an EHS intern, where she focused on worker safety, hazardous waste management, and ...
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Sharing Her Family's Passion for Medicine, Wayt '23 M'25 Aims to Open Impactful PA Practice Lu Herrera '25, Biology Student Enhances Skillset as a Research Assistant Scherb '24 Gains Hands-On Experience Through ODNR Summer Internship Scherb '24 Gains Hands-On Experience Through ODNR Summer Internship Visiting Every State Park in Ohio During My Sophomore Year Dr. Kim Risley Named Mount Union’s 2024 Great Teacher Dr. Kim Risley Named Mount Union’s 2024 Great Teacher

Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences