What Is The Biology Colloquium?

The Biology Colloquium at UIC is a student-run organization for individuals interested in biology or science related fields. The Colloquium provides students with an overview of the diverse career opportunities available in the Biological Sciences and provides information on field trips, research positions, study partners, and tutoring opportunities.

​The UIC Biology Colloquium (BCQ) is an interactive course sponsored by the Department of Biological Sciences (listed as BioS 196). BCQ is a student-run class for individuals interested in careers in the Biological Sciences.  Through BCQ students will:l
  • Learn about the diversity of career options in biology
  • Meet professors from within UIC and from other scientific institutions
  • Visit museums and zoos to learn how biology is used to manage their collections
  • Tour laboratories and learn about research being done both on and off campus
  • Visit specialized medical facilities and learn about the training needed for these fields
  • Attend career‐focused scientific seminars
  • Make contacts/network with professional biologists
  • Attend the optional fall weekend and spring week‐long trips to biological field stations, to explore natural areas through hiking, canoeing, birding and other activities
  • Establish mentoring relationships with senior students who lead the BCQ course
  • Have the chance to become a BCQ Student Leader or Student Coordinator yourself
  • Make lifelong friendships

What Is The Class Format Of BCQ?

The Biology Colloquium meets every two weeks for a large group seminar given by an invited faculty member, researcher, or professional from one of various biological fields. A wide range of biological topics are covered during the semester.

Alternating with large group seminars, colloquium students meet in small groups of six to eight students and tour research laboratories, museum collections, hospitals, industrial facilities and other places of biological interest.

When & Where Does The Colloquium Meet?

There are two Colloquium sections: one meets every Wednesday afternoon and the other meets every Thursday afternoon. 
Class runs from 2 PM - 4 PM.
During large group weeks, seminars are held in SEL 4289 (may change per Covid protocols).
During small group weeks, students meet their student leaders and group members in the SES Rotunda. Groups leave for their individual field trips at 2pm.

Evaluation and Grading

Students are asked to keep a journal of all the seminars and field trips that they attend. Grading is based on journal entries and speaker reflections completed after visiting guest lectures.  For more information on how students are evaluated, see the syllabi for each BCQ section located on this site.  

Off Campus Events

Colloquium students have the option to explore biological facilities away from the UIC campus area. Each fall BCQ sponsors a weekend field trip to the Saukville Biological Station in Wisconsin, and each spring a week-long field trip to one of several Midwest field stations.  These trips are led by UIC faculty and graduate students, and provide opportunities to learn the ecology of different environments while also having a lot of fun and meeting new people.

Past field trips have included:
Reis Biological Station
Lake Itasca Minnesota Field Station
Indiana Dunes
Hancock Biological Station
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Field Station
Hamilton Valley/Cave Research Foundation Field Station
Kellogg Biological Station