Menu Biology is the science of life. Biology courses at Madison College can be a springboard to an advanced degree from a university, preparation for direct entry into the biology job market or a quest of personal interest. In the classroom and laboratory, you will explore key biological principles and hands-on techniques that can lead to exciting opportunities in health care, food and agriculture, animal science or the environment.
Featured Biology Courses
Through the courses offered at Madison College, our dedicated faculty will provide you with the educational tools necessary to help you target your perfect niche in the field of biology.
Ecology/Conservation Biology
Ecology and Conservation Biology is an intermediate-level (non-laboratory) course, most appropriate for second-year students. A basic knowledge of ecosystem structure and function is used as a springboard to grasping the impact of human activities on natural populations. Emphasis is on computer modeling of endangered species, dwindling populations of endemics, species under threat of over-harvesting, and other groups at risk. This course requires the background knowledge of an introductory environmental science course.
Principles of Genetics
An introduction to the basic concepts of heredity and cytogenetics including Mendelian, molecular, developmental, and population genetics, genetic engineering and chromosome behavior. Topics include complementation and linkage analysis, gene mapping, library screening, bacterial transformation, plaque assay, restriction analysis, PCR, and sequencing. Lab complements the lecture and provides experiences in molecular genetics laboratory techniques as well as utilization of analytical and simulation model systems.
Environmental Science
Environmental Science is an introductory survey course appropriate for first-year students. This course includes a laboratory component and field trips designed to engage students in exploring environmental systems in the modern world. It emphasizes the interpretation of environmental data presented in graphs and figures and will sharpen student analytical skills through exercises based on both quantitative reasoning and reading comprehension.
Biology Faculty
Armila Aeilts
Office: B3223 | Truax
608.616.3449
aaeilts1@madisoncollege.edu
Simon Allard
Office: C3446 | Truax
608.246.6056
sallard@madisoncollege.edu
Elizabeth Behr
Office: B3223 | Truax
eobehr@madisoncollege.edu
Chuck Benton | Department Chair
Office: B2200 | Truax
608.246.6843
cebentonjr@madisoncollege.edu
Kitrina Carlson
Office: B3221 | Truax
608.616.3570
kmcarlson2@madisoncollege.edu
Susan Crowson
Office: D3619 | Truax
608.246.6058
mcrowson@madisoncollege.edu
Jennifer Gavinski
Office: 124A | Reedsburg
608.524.7725
jjgavinski@madisoncollege.edu
John Graham
Office: D3619 | Truax
608.616.3461
jbgraham@madisoncollege.edu
Elmira Grant Akhundova
608.616.3451
egrantakhundova@madisoncollege.edu
Diana Heisler
Office: D2606 | Truax
608.616.3348
dheisler@madisoncollege.edu
Sharon Holthaus
Office: B3237 | Truax
608.246.6173
sholthaus@madisoncollege.edu
Gina Piscitelli
Office: C3448| Truax
608.616.3349
gpiscitelli@madisoncollege.edu
Brian Stephens
Office: C3448 | Truax
608.524.7856
bstephens@madisoncollege.edu
Elise Van Ginkel
Office: B3223 | Truax
608.246.6494
evanginkel@madisoncollege.edu
Biology Staff
Erica Beckman | Lead Laboratory Coordinator
Office: C3428 | Truax
608.246.6542
ebeckman1@madisoncollege.edu
Aaron Carlson | Senior Laboratory Coordinator
Office: 159 | Watertown
920.206.8042
acarlson7@madisoncollege.edu
Roxanne Chrisinger | Laboratory Coordinator
Office: 127 | Portage
608.745.3109
rchrisinger@madisoncollege.edu
Kristine Horabik | Laboratory Coordinator
Office: C3428 | Truax
608.246.6469
khorabik@madisoncollege.edu
