Semicolon Between Dependent And Independent Clauses

A semicolon should not be used between an independent clause and a dependent clause; use a comma instead.

Broadening your horizons can be beneficial to all aspects of your life; employment particularly benefits.

I cannot understand why our professor insists upon full bibliographies; because they’re not really necessary, are they?

Puffing and panting; we trudged up the last section of the hill.