Biology Degree

Program Overview

This award-winning program prepares students for careers in health-related professions and laboratory research (Biomedical option), public and private agencies involved with natural resources management (Field Biology option), and high school/middle school education (Biology – Broad Field Science).

Highlights of the Biology Degree

Winner of the 2014 Regents Teaching Excellence Award, given to one department in the UW System each year, regardless of discipline.
Heavy emphasis on undergraduate biology research, beginning the first semester of the freshman year.
3+4 or 4+4 articulation agreement with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic medicine (the largest medical school in the United States), with associated programs in dentistry and pharmacy.
3+1 articulation agreement with the Medical Laboratory Scientist program of the University of Minnesota, and 3+4 articulation agreement with the Palmer College of Chiropractic.
3+2 articulation agreement with the Echocardiography program of the Mayo Clinic, and good record of acceptance into the Surgical First Assistant program of the Mayo Clinic.
Opportunities for internships and international experience in Europe, Costa Rica and Taiwan.
Recently renovated laboratories designed specifically for inquiry-based instruction.

Skills and Learning Outcomes

As a student in this program, you will learn to:

Understand the language, facts, details and significance of scientific information in biology.
Obtain and verify scientific knowledge and the importance of detail, accuracy and honesty in scientific reporting.
Use practical techniques and procedures useful in laboratory research, using state-of-the-art equipment for sophisticated techniques such as qPCR and flow cytometry.
Apply critical thinking skills valued by professional programs and private companies.

Career Opportunities

Students who graduate with a Biology major (Biomedical or Field options) are prepared for careers in a wide variety of professional and graduate programs in the health and environmental sciences fields in both the public and private sectors. The Biology-Broad Field Science education major provides teaching certification for middle school and high school, a high-demand area of employment due to a shortage of teachers in the STEM disciplines.

Potential Job Titles