Biology - BS
If you want to do more than just live life, become a biologist and study it.
WHY STUDY BIOLOGY?
Biologists have exciting and rewarding careers in areas such as medicine, biotechnology, and environmental conservation and management. Biologists study living things to understand how they function, survive, and evolve. They may study bacteria and viruses that threaten human health or larger organisms such as red-spotted newts or brown bears. Whatever the scale, biological research increases our understanding of health and wellness and the threats to our environment.
You'll get a strong and broad foundation in life sciences by learning the full range of biological topics, from DNA and cells to whole animals and ecosystems.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
You'll gain hands-on experience. Work as an intern, shadow a physician or health care worker at a local hospital. Interact with local health and environmental agencies. Take summer field courses at Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology on topics such as wildlife biology, reptiles and amphibians. Gain environmental skills in neighboring Allegheny National Forest and nearby aquatic natural habitats. You’ll also develop research skills when you choose a topic and work closely with your professor on your two-semester capstone experience, then get the chance to present your research at a local scientific meeting.
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN BIOLOGY?
All of these experiences as well as our strong curriculum will prepare you for a job, graduate school, medical school or other professional careers. Our Pre-Health Professions Committee will work with students pursuing health-related careers, including giving them tips after conducting mock interviews.
Job titles:
- Assistant radiographer
- Biological researcher
- Dietetic and nutrition technologist
- Laboratory technologist
- Medical scribe
- Pharmaceutical researcher
Graduate schools:
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- West Virginia University School of Pharmacy
- Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Queens University
- University of Buffalo/Roswell Park Cancer Institute
- Drexel University College of Medicine
- Paris Descartes University
- Thomas Jefferson University College of Pharmacy
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BIOL 1440
Course 1 NameCancer BiologyCourse 1 DescriptionDiscovering a cure for cancer has been one of the most difficult challenges for modern biomedical science. This class will discuss what causes cancer, what makes cancer cells different from normal cells, and what avenues for the future treatment of cancer look promising. The scientific process and a discussion of experimental techniques used in modern cancer research will be emphasized. -
BIOL 1306
Course 2 NameNeurobiologyCourse 2 DescriptionThe biology of nervous systems will be studied at various levels, including the cellular and molecular biology of neurons, sensory systems, motor control, and higher cortical functions in humans. All topics are viewed across phyla and from an evolutionary perspective. The course will emphasize scientific reading and oral communication of scientific material. Three hours of lecture and four hours of lab per week. -
BIOL 1312
Course 3 NameGlobal EcologyCourse 3 DescriptionThis course will expand on community and ecosystem scale patterns and processes, and their application at the global scale. The course will emphasize understanding these ecological processes and emergent patterns in the context of exponential growth of human populations, coupled with the subsequent and inevitable environmental issues. Some of the topics we will consider include demands on resources, sustainable agriculture and development, pollution, and global warming. This course will require regular reading of the primary literature coupled with in-class discussions. -
BIOL 1405
Course 4 NamePopulation And Conservation BiologyCourse 4 DescriptionIntroduces population analysis and genetics through a conservation biology approach. In addition to basic population-level topics such as demography, mating systems and life histories, students will also consider what maintains population viability, the concept of meta populations and the issues surrounding conserving biodiversity.
The tight-knit biology department has given me the tools to succeed.Devonte Sadler ’18, a student at Drexel University College of Medicine
MORE TO KNOW
Future doctors and other health professionals may streamline their acceptance into medical school via our Freshman Guarantee at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. Future doctors, dentists, and optometrists may be able to secure an early seat by enrolling in our special programs with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Neumann University, Pitt's Dental School, or the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University.