The OCU Difference
OCU Biology Faculty
Science students at Oklahoma City University enjoy small classes sizes, classes and labs taught by professors (never by graduate Teaching Assistants), faculty advisors who guide students through their curricular paths and through preparation for graduate school or employment applications, and a high rate of acceptance into graduate and professional programs of their choice.
Degree Options
B.S. in Biology: Our traditional major offers a thorough grounding in the biological sciences and prepares students for a variety of career paths, including graduate studies and employment in areas such as veterinary medicine and animal care, conservation biology, and wildlife management.
B.S. in Biology Education: This major provides a solid foundation in biology and includes all the education courses required for licensure and certification to teach Biology at the secondary (grades 6 through 12) level. B.S. in Biomedical Science: This major is designed to include the pre-requisites necessary for students pursuing graduate studies and careers in allied health fields, including Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Optometry, and others.
B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology: Our most rigorous major, this program prepares students to pursue graduate study and careers in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and biomedical research.
Dr. Adam Ryburn, Ph.D. serves as chair of the department and teaches Fundamentals of Biology, Botany, and other department courses. A plant systematist by training, the focus of his research is the classification and identification of native plants of Oklahoma. He works with other state botanists on the Flora of Oklahoma Project, constructing the keys and descriptions of the vascular flora of the state.
Biology @ OCU
Oklahoma City University’s Department of Biology offers four distinct Bachelor of Science degree plans and two minors (Minor in Biology, Minor in Environmental Science) to support students in achieving their specific career and personal goals.
The Biology faculty has wide-ranging expertise in the areas of biochemistry, botany, zoology, molecular genetics, immunology, microbiology, and primate behavior. Students have opportunities to engage in research with faculty in these areas.
Dr. Tony Stancampiano, Ph.D. teaches Anatomy & Physiology I, Zoology, Ecology, and other department courses. His research focuses on the ecology of homeothermic vertebrates; more specifically, how do these animals perceive their environment at the local and landscape scale. Undergraduate researchers are currently investigating the habitat affinities of small mammals and preferred landscape features of secondary cavity nesting birds. Others are assessing nest composition and surveying opportunistic nest inhabitants.
Dr. Laurie Kauffman, Ph.D. teaches Anatomy & Physiology II, Zoology, Animal Behavior and other department courses. Her research focuses on primate behavioral plasticity, and interactions between human and non-human primates. She and her students are interested in looking at effects of tourism on primate populations and behavior, and investigating how interactions with nonhuman primates affect tourists’ views of wild animals and conservation.
Dr. Greg Mullen, Ph.D. teaches Genetics, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, and other department courses. He uses the nematode C. elegans to identify and study proteins that are involved in synaptic function. And because synaptic proteins are well conserved, C. elegans studies have contributed greatly to the understanding of how synapses are generated, function, and regulated in human beings. Dr. Helen Gaudin, Ph.D. teaches Biochemistry I & II and other department courses. Her research has focuses on medical microbiology and regulated gene expression. She serves as the pre-professional (medicine, dentistry, etc.) advisor as well as the acting associate dean of the Petree College of Arts and Sciences.
www.okcu.edu/biology
: aryburn@okcu.edu
Dr. Kent Buchanan, Ph.D. currently serves as Interim Provost and Vice President of Academy Affairs for the University. His research has focused on mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis; immunity against mycotic pathogens; and effects of spaceflight on fungal virulence and morphology.