Biology
Biology at Davidson
The Biology department provides students with strong foundations that enable them to think critically about biological topics, learn technical skills for solving biological problems, and communicate biological information in multiple formats.
By offering courses that span the spectrum of biological disciplines, students can prepare for advanced studies in a wide variety of fields. The curriculum also prepares students to take a leadership role in society by furnishing them with the tools to make informed decisions about scientific issues.
Prof. Karen Hales speaks to Genetics students about DNA sequence analysis of the fruit fly gene which they characterized by CRISPR-Cas9 targeted mutagenesis.
Prof. Chris Paradise and Davidson Research Institute summer fellows collect data on the insect population of a local farm.
Students study the effects on vaping using an exposure chamber that Prof. Karen Bernd's lab developed specifically for e-cigarette vapor experiments.
In addition to the research projects that are integral parts of many biology lab courses, students have opportunities to design independent research courses, conduct thesis projects and participate in paid summer research internships.
Biology News
Bacteria Making You Sick? Here's a Virus for You
This summer, seven Davidson College students joined Biology Professor Bryan Thurtle-Schmidt's lab to study phages — viruses that attack bacteria — as a possible weapon against antibiotic resistance. Splitting into two teams, they investigated the proteins bacteria use to defend themselves against these viral predators, turning up several unexpected results along the way. Their work, backed by a three-year National Institutes of Health grant, points toward a future where viruses could be engineered to hunt down the infections antibiotics can no longer treat.
Biology Events
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October 14, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Artist Lecture with Andrea Carlson