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Biology is the study of living systems and how they work. By evaluating everything from animals to plants to people, Biology majors are able to show us how the world works and what we can do to help it thrive. They then use that knowledge as health care professionals, environmental or forensic scientists, researchers, and more to protect and preserve the world and living things.
Here’s what makes the Mount’s Biology major unique:
Christopher McCurry '20“I think the best thing about studying biology at the Mount is the relationships you can forge with your professors, which really isn’t possible at a big school. You can pick their brain about things, do research with them, and they can guide you on a career path. Plus, they help with grad school applications, letters of recommendation, job applications. The professors really take an active role in your life.”
35-36 credits in Biology | 32 credits in related sciences and math | Maintain 2.0+ GPA
Learn about Biology major academic requirements and courses here.
What does a typical day look like for a Mount Biology student? Anything but typical! You might be wading in the Hudson River, helping the Department of Environmental Conservation collect and study eel populations. Maybe you’ll be spending winter break in New Zealand participating in conversation efforts or meeting with your advisor for help with grad school applications. You might be volunteering to teach local families fun science experiments for Family Science Night.
Back in the classroom, you’ll start out in a Biological Principles course aimed at preparing you for scientific study, focusing on lab orientation, writing lab reports, and working as a team. The rest of your biological courses will introduce you to areas of scientific study, including microbiology, ecology, and genetics. Within courses and through other opportunities over breaks, you’ll be encouraged to participate in research and practice presenting that material to others through symposiums and conferences.
You’ll conclude your time in the major with a seminar course broken out over three semesters to prepare you for different aspects of scientific work in the real world. As a Biology major, your coursework is strategically scheduled to allow more time and flexibility in your senior year for applications or entrance exams for graduate or professional school.
Biology majors are needed everywhere! From public health and teaching to clinics and pharmacy, biologists are needed to help organizations research and make decisions about their impact on life and the world.
In addition to the traditional careers in medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry, many health professional specialists were Biology majors. Optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, medical technology, cytotechnology, and physical therapy all have Biology as their foundation.
Outside of the health professions, there are many varied careers that include zookeepers, museum curators, science writers, agricultural specialists, environmental consultants, genetics counselors, nutritionists, and forensic specialists to name just a few.
Here’s how some of our Biology alumni are using their degrees:
Get to know the rest of our incredible Natural Sciences professors!