Purpose
The collection supports present and anticipated teaching and research in the field of Biology and its sub-disciplines. At present, the central focus of the Department and the chief interests of the faculty are encompassed in the following areas of teaching and research: molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, cell structure, conservation biology, genetics, plant biology, marine biology, animal behavior, conservation ecology, molecular genetics, conservation genetics, evolutionary biology, environmental biology, systematics, ecological physiology, reproduction and conservation biology of exotic species, reproductive physiology of endangered animals, aquatic conservation biology and management, tropical ecology, population and community ecology, molecular ecology, endocrinology, and areas of biomedical interest.

The Department offers a B.S. with a wide range of specialization from the molecular to ecosystem level. At the graduate level, the Department of Biological Sciences offers a M.S. in biological sciences which combines both research and coursework in a wide range of specializations from sub-cellular biology to ecosystem and environmental biology levels. For students interested in research and study of biology with biomedical applications, the Department offers a M.S. in Biomedical Sciences Concentration. In 1999, the Department added a Ph.D. program in conservation biology. As part of the Ph.D. program, the Department developed a collaborative agreement with the Audubon Institute Center for the Research of Endangered Species (ACRES) which allows Ph.D. students in conservation biology and certain faculty members to conduct research on the ACRES facilities. In addition, Ph.D. students have access to the Audubon Park and Zoological Garden, the Aquarium of the Americas, the field stations of the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), and the Louisiana Nature and Science Center. The University of New Orleans’ Department of Biology also offers credit courses in marine sciences to graduate and undergraduate students at the LUMCON facilities emphasizing field experiences and study of organisms in their natural environments. In 2003, the Department opened the W.M. Keck Laboratory which facilitates research on conservation and molecular genetics. This in-house laboratory is available to faculty and staff researchers as well as Ph.D. candidates in conservation biology. It is also used to train graduate and undergraduate students in the use of molecular genetic techniques. Faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences conduct field research in Central America, Mexico, Africa, regionally, and in many locations throughout the United States.

The Department offers Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Veterinary, and Pre-Optometry programs. In addition, students can take prerequisite courses designed to prepare them for the M.S. program at the Department of Physical Therapy, or the Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Other Allied Health programs with which the Department is affiliated are Pre-Nursing, Pre-Medical Technology, Pre-CardioPulmonary Science, Pre-Allied Dental Field, and Pre-Rehabilitation Counseling.

In addition to the support for specific programs of the Biological Sciences Department, the collection also serves as a resource for undergraduate and graduate students and faculty members in other disciplines. Related departments which cover subjects of interest to Biology include Chemistry, Psychology, Environmental & Civil Engineering, Geography, Geology, and the College of Urban and Public Affairs. The Education Department offers a M.A. in Science Teaching.

Languages
The primary language of acquisition is English. Materials in European and non-European languages are acquired on a highly selective basis.

Chronological Guidelines
The primary interest is in current research. The collection of older materials may be important in the areas of taxonomy and description, general ecology, and biological life histories.

Geographical Guidelines
All geographical regions are acceptable for acquisition.

Treatment of Subject
Materials are collected in the following areas: theory of and applications in experimental cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, cell structure, plant biology, marine biology, and conservation biology. Materials on medical and allied health research are collected selectively.

Four types of materials are selectively collected in each of the areas taught within the Department:

• General reviews for undergraduates
• Topical reviews for faculty and graduate students
• Laboratory and statistical methods
• Upper-level textbooks.
  
  Popular materials in the areas of human health are very selectively collected.

Types of Material
Serial and monographic publications form the basis for Biological Sciences acquisitions. Reference materials, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, and abstracts and indexes covering biosciences are acquired. Handbooks on technique and statistics are actively acquired. Bibliographies and taxonomic charts are acquired on a highly selective basis.

Theses and dissertations from other institutions are acquired on a highly selective basis. Publications of U.S. government agencies are acquired through the U.S. Federal Depository program. Publications of national and international bioscience organizations, societies and congresses are acquired on a highly selective basis. Major sets and collections of materials which significantly supplement existing resources are acquired as funds permit. Laboratory materials are not acquired.

Date of Publication
Very current publications are most important. Emphasis is on materials published within the past five years.

Other Resources
The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Library in New Orleans holds many journals pertinent to the research interests of the UNO Biosciences Department faculty and graduate students. Materials may be used at the LSU Medical Center Library, or are available through interlibrary loan.

Other special library collections in New Orleans helpful to bioscience research include: the Aquarium of the Americas, the Audubon Zoo, the Botanical Gardens in City Park, the Louisiana Nature Center, the Pharmacy School Library at Xavier University, the Southern Regional Research Center of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Southern Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service.

Related Policy Statements:

• Geology and Geophysics
• Geography
• Computer Science
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Mathematics
• Education: Human Performance and Health Promotion; Curriculum and Instruction
• College of Urban and Public Affairs