Biology

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

school:

SASE - Division of Natural Sciences

Learning Mode:

On Campus

Degree:

Major, Minor

Bachelor of Science in Biology

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.

Why be a Biology major?

Here’s what makes the Mount’s Biology major unique:

Student holding a crab

Achieving your goals: Whether you want to teach, enter a professional program like medicine or veterinary science, or dive right into the field, we’ll give you the biological essentials for success so you’re prepared for wherever your degree takes you.
Research opportunities: From paid one-on-one research with a professor to showcasing that research at regional and even international science conferences, Biology majors have plenty of opportunities to present and contribute to the field, beginning in freshman year.
Family atmosphere: Our small class sizes and cohort model of scientific learning means you won’t just be colleagues with your professors and classmates: you’ll be family. You’ll even have a “science sibling,” an upperclassman student assigned to mentor you throughout your first year.
Pick your specialization: In addition to your core Biology classes, you'll also get to choose from one of three Biology concentrations - General Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Not sure which one to choose? Your faculty advisor will be there to help you decide the best fit for you, based on your past courses, career interests, and personal strengths.

Earn your Master's Degree

4 +1 Year Biology BS + MBA: Did you know our Biology program is offered in our 4+1 year undergraduate to MBA program? Meaning you can earn your bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in just 5 years! Learn more about how an MBA could broaden your career opportunities here.

5-Year Biology BA + MSEd: You want to be a teacher. So why not save time and money and get you to that goal faster? Students who complete this program graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, certification in Adolescence Education with or without a dual certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities, and a Master of Science in Education, all in five years. Learn more here.

What to expect as a Biology major at the Mount

35-36 credits in Biology | 32 credits in related sciences and math | Maintain 2.0+ GPA

Learn about Biology 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.

Student and professor working in lab

Be prepared for your future

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:

Elorde Tuliao ’09, 5th grade science teacher for KIPP Public Charter Schools / KIPP Comienza Community Prep
Joseph Henain ’14, Emory University Hospital - Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Jacqueline Copeland ’17, Biochemistry, Molecular, and Cell Biology PhD candidate at Cornell University