Department of Biology

Galileo Galilei

The Major in Biology is designed to educate students in both the breadth of subject matter encompassed by the biological sciences and the rapidly advancing knowledge at the forefront of this discipline. The Biology Major provides a comprehensive perspective on all aspects of our biological world, including ecology, evolutionary systems, genetics, molecular and cellular biology, immunology, developmental biology and neurobiology.

All students begin their program as Biology majors. 

• See program description for detailed information on program requirements and electives. 
• Biology majors may remain intentionally broad or may select a concentration in an area of biology, either in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology or in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior. 
• Alternatively, students may apply for the other majors offered from the Department: Biology of Global Health, Environmental Biology, or Neurobiology.

Career Paths

The Biology Major is a strong platform from which to embark on a multitude of paths including graduate and medical school, as well as careers well-served by having a foundational understanding of biological systems, such as in science policy, scientific writing, healthcare, law, and drug development.

RISE (Research Intensive Senior Experience) and Tutorial Research

The inclusion of a RISE project allows the student to have the experience of basic or medical research, ecological or computational research, teaching and researching pedagogy, or research in conjunction with an internship. Students can start research in the junior year and apply tutorial research for course credit.