{"id":7047,"date":"2019-09-09T16:04:27","date_gmt":"2019-09-09T20:04:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/?page_id=7047"},"modified":"2025-09-26T10:18:23","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:18:23","slug":"biology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/","title":{"rendered":"Department of Biology"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<nav class=\"sections-menu-wrapper\" aria-label=\"Page section navigation\" style=\"min-height: 60px;\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"navbar navbar-toggleable-md navbar-light bg-primary sections-menu\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"navbar-toggler collapsed ml-auto\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#sections-menu\" aria-controls=\"#sections-menu\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"navbar-toggler-text\">Skip to Section<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"navbar-toggler-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"navbar-collapse collapse\" id=\"sections-menu\" data-autoselect=\"true\" data-selector=\".auto-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"nav navbar-nav\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\n\t\t\t<section id=\"welcome\" class=\"ucf-section ucf-section-home-welcome auto-section mt-0 mb-0\" data-section-link-title=\"Welcome\" aria-label=\"Welcome\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jumbotron jumbotron-fluid bg-faded mb-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<p>The UCF Department of Biology is comprised of a balanced blend of research scientists and classroom lecturers who are committed to maintaining a diverse <a title=\"Undergraduate Program\" href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/undergraduate-program\/\">undergraduate<\/a> curriculum, creating a dynamic <a title=\"Graduate Program\" href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/graduate\/\">graduate<\/a>\u00a0program, and engaging in contemporary\u00a0<a title=\"Research\" href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/research\/\">research<\/a>. We have successfully trained thousands of undergraduate students for a range of biology careers including scientists\u00a0and health care professionals. Furthermore, our broad-based curriculum provides excellent preparation for post-graduate education (e.g. medical, dental, veterinary and graduate school).<\/p>\n<p>Research within the department stretches across\u00a0a range of biology disciplines, from\u00a0sub-organismal physiology to ecosystem dynamics. Our competitive MS and PhD programs provide contemporary training in a diverse academic environment. Our students have consistently been employed by many state and federal agencies, colleges and universities, as well as environmental consulting firms and NGOs.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<section id=\"abroad\" class=\"ucf-section ucf-section-home-study-abroad auto-section mt-0 mb-0\" data-section-link-title=\"Study Abroad\" aria-label=\"Study Abroad\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"media-background-container\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"400\" class=\"img-fluid alignnone wp-image-11160 size-full media-background object-fit-cover lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Bio-Study-Abroad-BG-v2.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people sit in a classroom setting on the left, while people in colorful costumes dance in a group on the right.\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Bio-Study-Abroad-BG-v2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Bio-Study-Abroad-BG-v2-300x63.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Bio-Study-Abroad-BG-v2-1024x213.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Bio-Study-Abroad-BG-v2-768x160.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Bio-Study-Abroad-BG-v2-1536x320.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1920px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1920\/400;\" \/>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row pt-4 p-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-md-8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<h2 class=\"heading-underline\">Study Abroad in COsta Rica<\/h2>\n<p>The Department of Biology is excited to announce two study aboard courses that will be offered at the UCF Costa Rica Center in San Jose, Costa Rica.<\/p>\n<p><strong>ZOO 3001<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Integrated Principles of Zoology<\/strong><br \/>\nwith Dr. Michele Yeargain<\/p>\n<p><strong>ZOO 4513<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Animal Behavior<\/strong><br \/>\nwith Dr. Christa Diercksen<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/study-abroad\/\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tMore information about Study Abroad\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<section id=\"undergraduate-tracks\" class=\"ucf-section ucf-section-home-undergraduate-tracks auto-section mt-0 mb-0\" data-section-link-title=\"Undergraduate Tracks\" aria-label=\"Undergraduate Tracks\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jumbotron jumbotron-fluid bg-primary mb-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<h2>Undergraduate Tracks<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 col-lg-2 col-xl-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#general\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"252\" height=\"252\" class=\"img-fluid size-full wp-image-8046 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/General-Biology.png\" alt=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/General-Biology.png 252w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/General-Biology-150x150.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 252px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 252\/252;\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#general\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tGeneral Biology\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 col-lg-2 col-xl-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#plant\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"252\" height=\"252\" class=\"img-fluid size-full wp-image-8045 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Plant-Sciences.png\" alt=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Plant-Sciences.png 252w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Plant-Sciences-150x150.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 252px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 252\/252;\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#plant\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tPlant Sciences\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 col-lg-2 col-xl-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#marine\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"252\" height=\"252\" class=\"img-fluid size-full wp-image-8050 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Marine.png\" alt=\"Silhouette of dolphin and turtle\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Marine.png 252w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Marine-150x150.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 252px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 252\/252;\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#marine\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tMarine\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 col-lg-2 col-xl-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#ecology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"252\" height=\"252\" class=\"img-fluid size-full wp-image-8049 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Ecology.png\" alt=\"Silhouette of earth\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Ecology.png 252w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Ecology-150x150.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 252px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 252\/252;\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#ecology\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tEcology\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 col-lg-2 col-xl-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#prehealth\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"252\" height=\"252\" class=\"img-fluid size-full wp-image-8048 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Pre-Health.png\" alt=\"Silhouette of stethoscope\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Pre-Health.png 252w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Pre-Health-150x150.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 252px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 252\/252;\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#prehealth\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tPre-Health\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 col-lg-2 col-xl-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#zoology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"252\" height=\"252\" class=\"img-fluid size-full wp-image-8047 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Zoology.png\" alt=\"Silhouette of turtle, bear, cat and bird\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Zoology.png 252w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/11\/Zoology-150x150.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 252px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 252\/252;\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/tracks\/#zoology\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tZoology\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<section id=\"mission\" class=\"ucf-section ucf-section-home-mission auto-section mt-0 mb-0\" data-section-link-title=\"Mission\" aria-label=\"Mission\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jumbotron jumbotron-fluid bg-inverse mb-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<h2 class=\"heading-underline\">Mission Statement<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The mission of the Department of Biology at the University of Central Florida is to create outstanding undergraduate and graduate academic programs; to engage in novel biological research; and to provide professional expertise to the University and the general public. The Department is committed to maintaining a rigorous learning environment that promotes an understanding of the major principles and concepts in the life sciences, develops critical thinking and communication skills, and fosters a life-long interest in learning. Our faculty commits to promoting an antiracist and inclusive environment for all.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/mission-statement\/\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<section id=\"news\" class=\"ucf-section ucf-section-home-news auto-section mt-0 mb-0\" data-section-link-title=\"News\" aria-label=\"News\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jumbotron jumbotron-fluid bg-secondary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"margin-bottom:0;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"padding-left:15px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"news-heading-wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-underline\">In the News<\/h2>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/category\/departments\/biology-departments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"muted\">Check out more stories <i class=\"fa fa-external-link \" ><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-md-8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news modern\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-aiding-healthy-ecosystems-through-bat-conservation-advancements\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/03\/Image-2-150x150.jpeg\" class=\"ucf-news-thumbnail-image lazyload\" alt=\"A group of twelve people stands outdoors on grass near trees and a lake, posing for a photo under a sunny, blue sky. Some hold papers or clipboards.\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 150px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 150\/150;\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-news-section-title\">Arboretum<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ucf-news-item-title\">UCF Aiding Healthy Ecosystems Through Bat Conservation Advancements<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ucf-news-item-excerpt\">A UCF&nbsp;Department of Biology doctoral student has helped position UCF as a contributor to the\u202fNorth American Bat Monitoring Program\u202f(NABat), a coordinated effort to track bat&hellip;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/college-of-sciences-inspires-curiosity-at-spark-stem-fest\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/02\/DSC03455-150x150.png\" class=\"ucf-news-thumbnail-image lazyload\" alt=\"A dinosaur skeleton holds a \"Spark STEM Fest\" sign in its mouth inside an exhibition space with blue lighting.\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 150px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 150\/150;\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-news-section-title\">Arboretum<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ucf-news-item-title\">College of Sciences Inspires Curiosity\u00a0at\u00a0Spark STEM Fest\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ucf-news-item-excerpt\">Through&nbsp;hands-on&nbsp;activities&nbsp;and demos, the College of Sciences connected its research with the Central Florida Community.&nbsp; Written by: Ryan Fox | Published:&nbsp;February&nbsp;27,&nbsp;2026&nbsp; Innovation met curiosity as the&hellip;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-researchers-travel-to-south-pacific-for-diving-research-expedition\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/02\/Expediton-Feature-150x150.png\" class=\"ucf-news-thumbnail-image lazyload\" alt=\"A scuba diver equipped with underwater photography gear swims above a coral reef in clear blue water.\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 150px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 150\/150;\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-news-section-title\">Biology<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ucf-news-item-title\">UCF Researchers Travel to South Pacific for Diving\u00a0Research Expedition\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ucf-news-item-excerpt\">Led by a UCF faculty member, a global team of researchers is\u00a0using innovative genetic analysis to\u00a0uncover how\u00a0countless\u00a0drifting fish larvae\u00a0connect\u00a0distant reefs.\u00a0 Written by: Emily Dougherty |&hellip;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"featured-news-home col-12 col-md-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<p>\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news modern featured-card-home\">\n\t<h3 class=\"ucf-news-title h6 heading-underline mb-0\" style=\"font-weight:bold;\">Featured Story<\/h3>\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item col-sm-12\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-biology-professors-research-links-warming-migratory-temperatures-to-decline-in-monarch-butterfly-population\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mb-3\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/10\/Monarch-Butterfly-Feeding-on-Pentas-lanceolata-768x512.png\" class=\"ucf-news-thumbnail-image lazyload\" alt=\"A monarch butterfly with orange, black, and white wings rests on a cluster of red flowers, surrounded by green foliage.\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/512;\">\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-news-item-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ucf-news-item-title\" style=\"font-weight:bold;\">UCF Biology Professor\u2019s Research Links Warming Migratory Temperatures to Decline in Monarch Butterfly Population<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ucf-news-item-excerpt mb-3\">Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) have one of the most impressive migrations in the animal kingdom, but rising temperatures are disrupting their physiology, migration success and&hellip;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-primary mb-0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-biology-professors-research-links-warming-migratory-temperatures-to-decline-in-monarch-butterfly-population\/\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<section id=\"events\" class=\"ucf-section ucf-section-home-events auto-section mt-0 mb-0\" data-section-link-title=\"Events\" aria-label=\"Events\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"jumbotron jumbotron-fluid bg-inverse lazyload\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"background-image:inherit;background-size: cover; background-position: top left; margin-bottom:0;\"\t\t\t data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/09\/ucf_29905805_Medium_dark.jpg&#039;)\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-xl-12\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<h2 class=\"heading-condensed heading-underline\">Upcoming Events<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-lg-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<h3 class=\"h5 mt-2 mb-4\">\t\t\t<span class=\"badge badge-primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Up Next<\/span>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p>\t\t<div class=\"ucf-events ucf-events-modern\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-events-list\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event ucf-event-row\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event-when\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"ucf-event-start-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-04-06T13:00:00-04:00\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-event-start-date\">Apr 6<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-event-start-time\">1:00 pm<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/time>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event-title-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"ucf-event-title\" href=\"https:\/\/events.ucf.edu\/event\/4104548\/understanding-the-potential-biogeochemical-effects-of-alternative-restoration-materials-a-study-of-basalt-and-other-materials\/\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tUnderstanding the Potential Biogeochemical Effects of Alternative Restoration Materials: A Study of Basalt and Other Materials\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event-description-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\tConcern over the effects of microplastics on estuarine ecosystems and public health has prompted many restoration practitioners to switch from plastic materials to more &ldquo;environmentally friendly&rdquo; substrates. These natural (BESE biopolymer, cement-jute rings) and non-plastic (basalt fiber) materials shouldn&rsquo;t contain&hellip;\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-lg-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<h3 class=\"h5 mt-2 mb-4\">\t\t\t<span class=\"badge badge-primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Looking Ahead<\/span>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p>\t\t<div class=\"ucf-events ucf-events-modern-nodesc\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-events-list\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event ucf-event-row ucf-event-row-margin\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event-when\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"ucf-event-start-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-04-07T11:00:00-04:00\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-event-start-date\">Apr 7<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-event-start-time\">11:00 am<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/time>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event-title-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"ucf-event-title\" href=\"https:\/\/events.ucf.edu\/event\/4101035\/monitoring-shifts-in-estuarine-microbial-communities-a-dna-metabarcoding-approach\/\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMonitoring Shifts in Estuarine Microbial Communities: A DNA-Metabarcoding Approach\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event ucf-event-row ucf-event-row-margin\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event-when\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"ucf-event-start-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-04-07T14:30:00-04:00\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-event-start-date\">Apr 7<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-event-start-time\">2:30 pm<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/time>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event-title-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"ucf-event-title\" href=\"https:\/\/events.ucf.edu\/event\/4104547\/carbaryl-exposure-alters-gut-microbiome-composition-without-affecting-morphometrics-in-eastern-purple-martin-progne-subis-subis-nestlings\/\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCarbaryl Exposure Alters Gut Microbiome Composition Without Affecting Morphometrics in Eastern Purple Martin (Progne subis subis) Nestlings\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event ucf-event-row ucf-event-row-margin\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event-when\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"ucf-event-start-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:00:00-04:00\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-event-start-date\">Apr 8<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-event-start-time\">10:00 am<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/time>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event-title-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"ucf-event-title\" href=\"https:\/\/events.ucf.edu\/event\/4104546\/ecological-and-evolutionary-responses-to-environmental-change-in-two-large-north-american-mammals\/\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEcological and Evolutionary Responses to Environmental Change in Two Large North American Mammals\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event ucf-event-row\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event-when\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"ucf-event-start-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-04-09T12:00:00-04:00\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-event-start-date\">Apr 9<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ucf-event-start-time\">12:00 pm<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/time>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ucf-event-title-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"ucf-event-title\" href=\"https:\/\/events.ucf.edu\/event\/4105781\/ucf-day-of-giving-college-of-sciences-galactic-patio-party\/\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tUCF Day of Giving - College of Sciences Galactic Patio Party\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-fullscreen.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7047","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Department of Biology - Biology<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Department of Biology - Biology\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Biology\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-26T14:18:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/\",\"name\":\"Department of Biology - Biology\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2019-09-09T20:04:27+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-26T14:18:23+00:00\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/\",\"name\":\"Biology\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Department of Biology - 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