Biology Programs
Biology Majors
Each of these options leads to a BS degree and allows for many career opportunities.
The Allied Health major will prepare you for a job in the healthcare industry or graduate programs related to medicine and healthcare.
Whether you want to pursue an advanced degree or are interested in doing research and lab work, the Cell & Molecular Biology major opens up several options.
If you want a degree where the lab and the outdoors is one of your primary classrooms, the Ecology major might be for you.
As an Environmental Science major, you will learn how the natural world interacts through a variety of sciences.
A degree in Biology- Life Science (Teaching) is perfect for those who want to teach students in grades 9-12.
This program is offered in cooperation with the College of Education. Students will take Biology classes and classes required for the Teacher Education Licensure Program.
You can become a certified radiographer through our Radiography major with Mayo Clinic.
Through this program, you’ll learn how to work with X-ray machines, ultrasound technology, and more to produce images of the inside of the human body.
Degree Planning Resources
Use these resources to help plan your course schedule:
- Biology: Allied Health Major Map (PDF)
- Biology: Allied Health Transfer Pathway Major Map (PDF)
- Biology: Cell & Molecular Major Map (PDF)
- Biology: Cell & Molecular Transfer Pathway Major Map (PDF)
- Biology: Ecology Major Map (PDF)
- Biology: Ecology Transfer Pathway Major Map (PDF)
- Biology: Environmental Science Major Map (PDF)
- Biology: Environmental Science Transfer Pathway Major Map (PDF)
- Biology: Life Science Teaching Major Map (PDF)
- Biology: Radiography Major Map (PDF)
Medical Laboratory Science
The Medical Laboratory Science Major (MLS) is offered in cooperation with several clinical internship sites.
This major is intended for career-minded students interested in pursuing certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientists by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).
The medical laboratory scientist assists the physician by providing vital quantitative information needed in diagnoses and therapeutic management of patients.
Employment opportunities will be in a medical laboratory setting, working with human body fluids and tissues.
Minor
For students majoring in other fields, our department offers a Biology minor, consisting of courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. This minor is designed to supplement majors in all fields of study at WSU.
The Biology Department sponsors 8 pre-professional sequences designed to prepare students to pursue an advanced degree at another college or university.
- Pre-Dentistry
- Pre-Medicine (Allopathic and Osteopathic)
- Pre-Optometry
- Pre-Pharmacy
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Pre-Physician Assistant
- Pre-Podiatry
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine
These are not degree programs (a major or minor) at WSU, but rather a curated series of courses. For example, you could choose a Biology- Allied Health major and follow a Pre-Physician Assistant course sequence.
WSU’s Biology Department offers a Professional Science Master’s Degree (PSM) in Applied Research and Management. This degree provides you with advanced training, greater professional mobility, and improved job security.
Our PSM is:
- An advanced degree for professionals and recent graduates wishing to further their careers in science-related fields
- A technical degree with emphases in composite materials engineering, geoscience, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, biology, and health, exercise and rehabilitation sciences
- A scientific degree integrating hands-on technical and management training
- An engaging program that allows you to earn university credits for work with a partnered employer
- A graduate program that lets you work-learn-earn your degree while remaining employed
The field of biology is only increasing in demand. Here are just a few of the top growing professions you can pursue with a biology degree.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the clinical laboratory setting is expected to grow by over faster than average in the next decade.
Biotechnology jobs over the next decade should increase at about a 5% rate.
WSU’s biology graduates have the knowledge and skills to successfully compete for entry positions as ecologists, microbiologists, molecular ecologists, molecular biologists, and immunologists.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 6% increase in jobs for environmental scientists and specialists over 10 years, and a 3% increase in jobs for conservationists. WSU’s biology department has hosted major ecology conferences and collaborates with other countries on water ecosystems.
It is estimated that there will be a 10% growth in medical scientists from 2022 to 2032.
To meet this opportunity, the WSU Biology department has developed a program for students to perform clinical research with medical doctors at the local Winona Health Hospital.