Biology is concerned with living matter in all its forms, responses, and interactions. It deals with the study of anything that has been or is alive: microbes, all plants, and all animals, including humans. The science of biology includes a large number of highly integrated sub-disciplines such as microbiology, genetics, ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics, and behavior. Biologists must draw upon a wide variety of academic disciplines to make observations and draw conclusions, and well-trained biologists have solid backgrounds in chemistry, mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, and the humanities, as required by graduate programs and professional schools, to meet the demands of professions in the life sciences. The Department of Biological Sciences offers a diversified curriculum in the life sciences. Courses are designed for biology majors with specific degree objectives, for students seeking applied technical training, and for non-major students with general interest in biological subjects. Undergraduate programs will prepare students for both graduate work and for a diversity of careers. Biology majors may enter specialized or general careers in life science and find themselves working in laboratories, offices, the field, farms, administrative posts, academic institutions, industry, government agencies, private foundations, botanic gardens and zoos, wildlife preserves, and elsewhere.