Career Outlook

Biology is an exciting field! Biologists study all aspects of life and the world around us.

Careers in biology are diverse, and include medicine (optometry, dentistry, veterinary), scientific research, conservation, and teaching. Most biological jobs require at least four years of college education, with core classes in Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Physics. Biologists can specialize in specific areas of biology, such as EES (ecology, evolution, and systematics) or CMB (cell and molecular biology), or take a more general approach. Potential employers include industry, local/state/federal government agencies, and academic institutions. New employees in biological fields earned a median salary of $45,263 in 2012, according to Salary.com.

Our Biology graduate program has two levels of study a Master of Science program and a Ph.D. program. The M.S. program is an extension of the undergraduate program and has three main objectives: Provide research-oriented training and education, provide qualified graduates for doctoral programs, and provide secondary school and junior college biology teachers with training necessary to maintain and improve their teaching effectiveness. Biologists who want to conduct independent research or teach in a university setting must have a Ph.D. in Biology. The Ph.D. program includes a major independent research project, and prepares students as research professionals in fields such as biological conservation, ecology, and biomedical science.

2011 graduates from the Biology department have gone on to great things!As a few examples, recent graduates have taken positions at Monsanto, Sigma, several local start-up companies, and Washington University research labs. In addition, students graduating from our program have now started medical school, dental school, optometry school, veterinary school, and Ph.D. programs in biochemistry, biology, and ecology.