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Betsy Marinez-Vaz, Biology faculty, with student

Biology Majors

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts Degree

Unique biology bachelor's degrees in Minnesota


You’ll dive into a wide range of topics from genetics to sustainability with ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê's biology department. With personalized attention from our faculty, and extensive research and internship opportunities, you’ll graduate with the tools and skills you need for a meaningful career. ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê’s BS in biology and BA in biology degrees offer concentrations that will prepare you for the field that ignites your passion, from medicine and conservation biology to biotechnology and clinical research in the pursuit of cures for disease. You may also be interested in learning about ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê's biochemistry majors.

 

biology students out on the lake

BS in biology degrees and concentrations

BA in biology degrees and concentrations

Biology pathway and courses

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Hannah Trtanj '24, biology

With how our courses are structured, we are able to count lab work as independent research, which has truly helped me stand out when I was applying to grad schools.

Hannah Trtanj '24; veterinary school graduate student at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN

Biology program details

Opportunities for student research

At ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê, biology majors participate in research with faculty starting as early as their first year, something usually reserved for graduate students at other institutions.

The list of possible research projects is as varied as your interests. For example, picture yourself:

  • Investigating the impact of mutations on protein function and structure
  • Searching for potential anti-cancer drugs in microbial flora
  • Employing bioinformatics and data mining to study microbiomes and protein families
  • Searching for antibiotic-producing microbes in diverse environments
  • Investigating the microbial degradation of pharmaceuticals 
  • Developing policies on the management of natural resources

During your research process, you'll collaborate with students from institutions around the country, publish your research in academic journals, and present your work at regional and national conferences.
 

Learn more about undergraduate research at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê 

Paid internships for biology majors

We make sure you leave ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê with work experience in the field of biology on your resume. And the opportunities are boundless: Whether you want to explore a career in veterinary medicine, environmental science, biotechnology, medicine, or other fields, we have paid internship opportunities for you. Examples of past biology student internships include:

  • American Red Cross, biomedical communications intern
  • Alternatives for People with Autism, living skills Instructor
  • MN Department of Health, intern
  • Medtox Laboratories, toxicology lab assistant
  • OneOme, clinical laboratory intern
  • University of Minnesota, Mouse Behavior Core Assistantship
  • Blue Cross Animal Hospital, veterinary assistant
  • Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, animal support intern
  • Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota, intern
  • Twin Cities Orthopedics, physical therapy tech
  • Xoua Thao Medical Center, medical intern
  • Regions Hospital, surgical assistant
  • Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, forensic science service intern
  • Walgreens, pharmacy technician

Explore internships

Explore career paths for biology majors

Our innovative courses and one-on-one mentoring by faculty will give you the tools to succeed in a variety of jobs, such as:

  • High school biology teacher
  • Pharmacist
  • Journalist, science communication
  • Interpretive naturalist
  • Genetic counselor
  • Scientist and product developer (in biotechnology or genomics company)
  • Forensic scientist
  • Pediatrician or other medical doctor

And you can explore careers in many different fields, such as: 

  • Veterinary medicine
  • Health care
  • Natural resources management
  • Agricultural biotechnology
  • Medical research
  • Intellectual property law
  • Personalized genomics
  • Biomedical and pharmaceutical sales

Take your studies further with graduate school

Our graduates have gone on to medical and graduate schools across the country in the pursuit of master’s degrees, PhD’s, and MDs. Examples of programs and schools include:

  • Rollin's School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
  • Schools of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Medicine, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Campus
  • Synthetic and Physical Biology program, Rice University, Houston, Texas
  • Physician Assistant Program, College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 
  • BioTech & Microbial Engineering program, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Campus

Study abroad opportunity: January 2026

Study abroad opportunity (January 2026): 

  • Taught by ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê Biology Professor Leif Hembre
  • Two-credit course study abroad class in January 2026 (tentatively Mon 1/5 - Sat 1/17), paired with 2-credit seminar class in F25 (BIOL 3980: Tropical Ecology & Conservation Biology) 
  • Open to all undergraduate students (with instructor approval) 
  • ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê Plan G (Global citizenship) for study abroad class & counts as elective course for Biology major or Environmental & Climate Studies major if paired with 2-credit seminar class offered in F25
  • Apply for the study away class through the Global Engagement Center (GEC): Office location: 15 Old Main, Phone: (651) 523-2245
  • Register for the 
  • Email Prof Hembre (lhembre@hamline.edu) if you have questions about the January ‘26 study away class, the F25 pre-cursor seminar, or anything else.
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Sila Yurttas_Student Athlete

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê provides all of this hands-on experience in labs. All these entry-level jobs and internships want actual experience, and ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê provides us with that necessary lab experience and experience using professional equipment from the start.

Sila Yurttas '25, biology; of Shoreview, MN

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê Biology news

Take your next step today

Interested in biology? We’d love to send you information, including more on academics and student life at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ³ÉÄê.

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