Biology
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Program TypeMajor, Minor
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Degrees OfferedB.S.
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SchoolSchool of Arts & Sciences
Prepare for a career as a professional biologist. Gain the background you need for medical, dental, or chiropractic school.
What You’ll Learn
The biology major provides a broad foundation in the biological sciences. In addition to gaining communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills, you will gain an understanding of the role that individuals and society play in improving our natural environment.
- Prepare for professional school.
Combine your biology major with study in our pre-medicine, pre-physician assistant, pre-dental, pre-optometry, or pre-chiropractic.
- Prepare for a career in wildlife or conservation.
Combine your biology major with a wildlife management & conservation concentration and develop the skills for an entry-level biologist position with a government agency, non-governmental organization (NGO), or private company. This concentration will also prepare you for a graduate program in wildlife biology, conservation, ecology, and other related fields.
- Develop technical proficiency in the lab.
In addition to general lab work, laboratory courses include anatomy, genetics, botany, organic and inorganic chemistry, physiology, and physics.
- Strengthen research skills.
Most upper-level courses incorporate student-led research projects. Students also have the opportunity to participate in our SURVE program and conduct independent research with biology faculty.
- Get your bachelor’s degree in 2.6 years or your bachelor’s and master’s in four years.
You can earn your biology bachelor’s in 2.6 years or complete your bachelor’s and a Master of Science in Bioethics in four years through Mary’s innovative Year-Round Campus program.
Course Requirements
Please visit our catalog for a list of all courses and credits.
Featured Faculty
James A. Peliska, PhD
Administrative Chair of Math and Sciences, Professor of Biology, Fellow in Catholic Studies
I started my academic career as a professor at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. At Michigan, I developed my ongoing research program in HIV-1 replication, and I was involved in the initiation of their undergraduate Biochemistry program. For the last 20 years, I have been a leader in Catholic higher education as a professor, as a department chair and in my current role as Administrative Chair of Mathematics and Sciences, overseeing these programs at the University of Mary. I maintain an active student-engaged research program in HIV-1 drug discovery, and work with colleagues in the development of modern and relevant courses in the sciences.
