Majoring in Biology

The undergraduate program in the Department of Biology offers a B.S. in Biology. Courses and research opportunities span the full scale of the field, from molecular genetics to global biodiversity. The program emphasizes hands-on research, encouraging independent projects and internships with experts. Although our graduates all earn a biology degree, they go on to work in a wide range of fields, including medicine, environmental management, research, industry, science writing, and law.

Declaring a Biology Major

Students interested in declaring a biology major should first review the  Biology curriculum and the Biology Major Worksheet. Any Biology faculty member can serve as your advisor. Take some time to Review the faculty listing and consider which faculty member best matches your interests.

To choose a biology advisor, register on the biology sign-up sheet. Since not all faculty members may be available, it’s a good idea to have backup choices in mind. Once you’ve signed up, email your chosen faculty member to introduce yourself and schedule an advising meeting. Be sure to include your availability over the next couple of weeks.

Before your meeting,  download major/minor declaration forms from the Registrar’s website and fill out as much as possible, including a tentative list of courses you’re interested in.

Read more about majoring in biology:

• Majors Requirements: Students who declared a biology major in spring 2025 or earlier have the option of graduating under either the old or new requirements.
• First Semester Course Guide by Biology Major
• Biology Major Worksheet(to help plan and track course requirements; alternate Excel format available.
• Honors
• Undergraduate Research
• Internships
• Career Planning
• Biology Pre-med Path
• Planning for Graduate School