The department has an outstanding, internationally recognized faculty supported by excellent facilities for both teaching and research. It is housed in a complex that includes classrooms, a library, a computing lab, and research laboratories. In addition to stimulating and challenging course work, students also have unique opportunities to jump-start their careers by participating in cutting edge research projects under faculty guidance, serving as undergraduate teaching assistants, doing internships, and participating in student clubs.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Our department offers five majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree: biological sciences, computational biology, ecology and evolution, microbiology, and molecular biology. Learn more about each major.
ADVISING AND SUPPORT
We have a departmental Advising Office with six biology advisors who work with both our majors and undeclared majors. The advisors work to support and enrich the academic experience of students by helping with curricular decisions, as well as providing information and guidance on extracurricular options, career paths, and post-graduate plans.
RESEARCH
The Department strongly encourage students to become a part of faculty research and to develop projects with faculty. Undergraduates at all levels can participate in original research projects in faculty laboratories
INTERNSHIPS
Academic internships are an approved and monitored work experience at a site outside of the University. The internship must be related to your Biological Sciences major, and will be required to meet specific learning goals.
TEACHING ASSISTANT PROGRAM
Becoming an undergraduate teaching assistant is a terrific way to share your knowledge, gain confidence, and prepare yourself for leadership roles.
AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
The Department makes Awards each year for outstanding student performance in introductory courses. A variety of competitive, merit-based Fellowships and Scholarships enable more advanced students to focus on their research during the academic year, or full-time during summer.
CAREERS AND POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION
The five majors offered by the Department of Biological Sciences fulfill the basic science requirements for admission to medical, dental, and other health professional schools; secondary education programs; and public health and research graduate programs. Our Bachelor of Science degree provides a strong foundation for careers in which familiarity with biological topics is needed, including health care, industry, government, law, and education.