Bachelor of Science
Biology

Launch Your Career in Science

Get grounded in the scientific essentials you need — cellular and organismal biology, ecology, biochemistry, chemistry and physics — to impact the future of scientific progress.

Dedicated faculty and JWU’s small class sizes will support your explorations in our biology, chemistry and physics labs, where you will get hands-on with animal dissection, studying organisms, investigating pathogen interactions, exploring real human cadavers and more. Specialization courses in botany & mycology, microbiology & biochemistry, genetics & epigenetics, coastal biology & environmental science, sustainability, histology & immunology, exercise science & epidemiology, analytical chemistry & organic chemistry and physiology will expand your knowledge in the areas that interest you.

In addition to developing your skills through interactive and problem-based learning in classes and labs, you could have opportunities to explore your interests through an undergraduate research project, an internship or more. Just a few examples of JWU Biology research/internship experiences have included students publishing their work in scholarly journals, presenting at regional and national conferences, performing gene editing experiments on plants using CRISPR-Cas9, developing a novel orthopedic device, shadowing medical providers and/or volunteering in clinics, performing ecological monitoring on local streams and even creating a children’s book about understanding diseases.

Many of our Biology majors go on to apply to JWU’s Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.P.A.S.) or Occupational Therapy Doctorate (O.T.D.) degree programs; continue schooling to become medical doctors, dentists and veterinarians; or secure positions in academic, biopharmaceutical, and clinical settings. Our alumni have secured careers at institutions such as Amgen and Moderna and attended graduate programs at Tufts University, University of Alberta at Calgary, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, among many more.

Reach the Next Level in Biology

Getting hands-on is the best way to learn, and your Biology program provides just that. You will become familiar with appropriate and safe use of lab equipment while developing skills in light microscopy, dissection, pure culture, cell structure and growth, enrichment techniques, microbial identification and more. You will have opportunities to design experimental procedures, collect data, analyze results and discussion conclusions.

In this program, you’ll:

• Apply the fundamental biological concepts of evolution, structure and function, information exchange and storage, and transformation of energy and matter to explain biological systems from molecules to communities.
• Learn how to identify, evaluate and analyze scientific information and how to apply scientific methods and critical thinking to address scientific questions.
• Obtain skills in public speaking, scientific communication, bioinformatics and data analytics through your coursework.
• Gain exposure to ethical concerns pertaining to biological science and learn how to apply ethical practice.
• Choose a specialization in Biomedical Science, Environmental Studies or Plant Science to take a deeper dive in the area that interests you most.