FASTFACTS

  • For his breast cancer cell research, assistant professor of biology Dr. Austin Shull won a statewide biomedical grant in 2019.
  • The diverse field of biology is a core discipline for zoologists, ecologists, pharmacologists, doctors, and other occupations.
  • Medicine & Pharmacy is one of the top three disciplines that PC alumni pursue in graduate school.
  • Biology majors may join Beta Beta Beta (Tribeta) – PC’s chapter of the National Biological Honor Society.

What You’ll Study as a Biology Major

As a biology major, you gain fluency with biological concepts from multiple branches of the field – including genetics and botany. You also become familiar with laboratory equipment and procedures.

Biology degree coursework totals 57 to 61 hours, depending on course selection. During your first two years you’ll take core courses and labs like Biological Concepts and Organismal Biology. You’ll choose one course each from three categories – cell/molecular biology, evolution/ecology, and plant biology. Required related courses include General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and General Physics. In addition to three biology electives, you’ll select one course in math or statistics – such as Data Analysis and Statistical Computing. Your final two years include Scientific Writing & Presentation and your Senior Seminar – in which you produce and present an original, research-based paper. If eligible, you can earn marks of distinction on your transcript and diploma by conducting an honors project.

PC’s biology department also offers concentrations in pharmacy and computational biology.

MORE INFORMATION

  • CO = Co-requisite
  • POI = Permissions of Instructor
  • PR = Pre-requisite
  • RE = Recommended
  • XL = Cross-listed

CAREER OUTCOMES

Your biology degree, whether undergraduate or graduate, qualifies you for multiple rewarding careers in the field. According to PayScale, those with a bachelor’s degree in biology earned an average salary of $70,618 in September 2020. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) identifies several life science occupations that are open to you with a bachelor’s degree. Environmental scientists and specialists, for example, earn a median salary of $71,360. Biological technicians earn $45,860 annually, and the median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists is $63,270.

Careers in healthcare – such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science – generally require a professional degree and license. And a PhD is typically required for careers in research and development. Your bachelor’s in biology gives you a solid foundation for advancement into these careers – and greater earnings. According to BLS, physical therapists earn a median salary of $89,440 per year. For veterinarians, the median salary is $95,460, while pharmacists earn $128,090. Dentists earn a median salary of $159,2000, and the median earnings for physicians and surgeons is at least $208,000 – or $100 per hour. BLS projects faster-than-average growth for almost all of these careers.

Whatever your major, PC’s liberal arts education equips you with problem-solving, critical thinking, and other soft skills that employers value.

CAREER PROFESSIONS

  • Applied Research
  • Quality Control
  • Grant Writing
  • Medicine
  • Biophysics
  • Genetics
  • Immunology
  • Botany
  • Biological Engineering

FACULTY

Dr. Stuart Gordon

Professor of Biology

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Dr. Michael Rischbieter

Professor of Biology

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Dr. Jim Wetzel

Pulaski L. Bealy Smith Professor of Biology

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Dr. Ron Zimmerman

Professor of Biology

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Dr. Austin Shull

Assistant Professor of Biology

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Dr. Margo Petukh

Assistant Professor of Biology

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