Majors, minors & more
Biology
College of Arts and Sciences
- Offered as:
- Major
- Minor
- Graduate program
Overview
Biology is the science of life. The study of biology encompasses molecular, cellular, and physiological processes, evolutionary diversity, ecological relationships, and global systems. Biologists study life from prehistoric times to organisms alive today and model how life may change in the future.
Specialization tracks available
- Strengths of the program
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- Build a strong foundation in the sciences.
- Use options to focus on depth and breadth of interest areas.
- Courses cover biology, including molecular and cell biology, physiology and development of animals and plants, conservation biology, disease biology, genetics and genomics, taxonomy and systematics, ecology, and evolutionary biology.
- Small class sizes in advanced courses.
- Opportunities for one-on-one research with biology faculty, including field and laboratory experiences.
- Gain skills in research design, data analysis, DNA and cell biological techniques, physiological diagnostics, ecological and environmental assessment, phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis, global complex systems analysis, computer modeling and simulations, scientific writing, and professional communications.
- Prepare for graduate and professional schools.
- Math, science, and engineering community residence halls with other entering students in shared classes provide opportunities for group study, free tutoring, and computer lab access.
- Conner Museum of Natural History and Marion Ownbey Herbarium offer specimens of animals and plants for research and study.
- Scholarships and financial aid
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A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.
For all students at WSU
Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.
To get all the financial help WSU can provide, you'll need to do these two things:
- Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration, including departmental awards.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need. Get started here.
Click here for more info about about WSU scholarships and financial aid
For art majors
The College of Arts and Sciences awards more than $50,000 in scholarships each year. For more information, see the CAS scholarships page. Students are also eligible for scholarships from the School of Biological Sciences.
A number of special scholarships are available to students invarious areas of biological science: The Herbert Eastlick, Fraser, Peacock, and Van Fleet scholarships; the Outstanding Biology Junior Award; the Biology Undergraduate Research Award; and Zoology and Biology Merit Awards.
- Biology facilities
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As a biology major, you have access to exceptional library resources and research labs:
- Owen Science and Engineering Library, the largest science and engineering library in the Northwest
- Conner Museum of Natural History, which contains more than 56,000 specimens in research and display collections
- Ownbey Herbarium, which contains 277,000 specimens of preserved plants
- The Science Learning and Instruction Center, a resource center for science majors that provides computer access, auto-tutorial programs, and other media-assisted learning programs
- The Franceschi Microscopy and Imaging Center, a state-of-the-art facility where students learn electron microscopy
- The 800-acre Hudson Biological Preserve at Smoot Hill (15 miles from Pullman), which serves as a biological field station for students and faculty
- The James Entomological Collection, comprised of more than a million specimens of insects
- Mycological Herbarium, which contains more than 65,000 specimens of fungi
- Careers in biology
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What you can do with a degree in Biology:
• Medicine, dentistry, and health fields
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Pharmacology, nutrition, and dietetics
• Veterinary medicine and animal care
• Fisheries and wildlife ecology
• Plant biology, agriculture, and horticulture
• Entomology
• Conservation and resource management
• Environmental assessment
• Ecological restoration
• Biotechnology and genetic engineering
• Forensics and pathology
• Public policy
• Science education
• Science writing and journalism
Skills you can market with a degree in Biology
• Individual curiosity and scientific creativity
• Research design and data analysis
• DNA and cell biological techniques
• Physiological diagnostics
• Ecological and environmental assessment
• Phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis
• Global complex systems analysis
• Computer modeling and simulations
• Scientific writing and professional communication