Biology Colloquium - The biology colloquium meets approximately 10 times during the academic year for lectures and discussions led by visiting scholars, faculty, and student researchers.

Colloquium Requirements for Biology Majors

All biology majors are required to attend a minimum of 12 approved biology colloquia during their time at Luther in order to complete the requirements of the Biology major. 

Getting Credit for Colloquium Attendance

Students should fill out a colloquium report for each talk they attend and return it to have their attendance recorded. Students cannot claim colloquium attendance for their biology major graduation requirement if they have not submitted the report forms.

If colloquia talks are offered face-to-face, colloquium report forms are available at the front of the room and should be placed in the box marked "Colloquium" located at the front of the room before you leave the lecture hall.  If the colloquium is offered virtually, use the Google attendance form that will be posted here.  It should be submitted at the end of the lecture.

Unsure how many colloquium you have attended?  See Michelle Einck in SHL 231 or email: [email protected].

Fall 2023 Biology Colloquium Schedule

Thursday, September 14 - 9:40 a.m. - Valders, Room 206
Changing the World with Biological Agriculture”
Brian Dougherty, Regenerative Agriculture Consultant, UnderstandingAg.com, Ames, Iowa 

Saturday, October 7 -10:00 a.m. - Valders, Room 206
“Sleight of Wing:  How Shorebirds Thwart their Enemies”,
Tex Sordahl ’73, Biology Emeriti, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa 

Thursday, October 19 - 9:40 a.m. - Valders, Room 206      
"Public Health"  More than just COVID"
Meghan Sickel '20, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Metro District Senior
Epidemiologist, Pepin County Health Department, Durand, Wisconsin

Wednesday, November 1 - 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - CFL, Main Hall
"Reflections on a Pandemic:  A Fireside Chat with Dr. Rochell Walensky",
Dr. Walensky, former Director of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (2021-2023), will join Dr. Michael Osterholm ’75
for a wide-ranging conversation about the complex relationships
between medical science, public health policy, and the political
landscape of the US today.                                 

Thursday, November 9 - 9:40 a.m. - Zoom   
Title TBD
Jonathan Martin, PhD                         

Thursday, November 30- 9:40 a.m. - Valders, Room 206 
Biological Assessments of Iowa Streams”,
Michael Birmingham, State Hygienic Laboratory at the
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA