Biology

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Overview

A biology degree from Saint Joseph’s University exposes you to all levels of biological organization, from the sub-cellular to the broad ecosystem. Our program is built with core courses covering the fundamentals of biology, a distribution of upper-level course across the major areas of biology and free electives.

What is a Biology Major?

Areas of teaching and research cover an extensive range of topics including cell and molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, plant biology, evolution, physiology, ecology, neurobiology, bioinformatics, biophysics and animal behavior. All upper level courses are taught by full-time faculty who are specialists in their fields.

You will experience a hands-on, experimental approach in all your courses. Saint Joseph’s University has outstanding equipment and facilities available for student use, including:

  • An animal biodiversity lab
  • Greenhouse
  • Plant growth chambers
  • Confocal and electron microscopes
  • Equipment for molecular biology research

Ways to Study Biology

You can pursue a major in biology or a biology minor if you are majoring in another discipline.

What Can You do with a Degree in Biology?

A biology degree prepares you for a wide range of career options and success. Many of our graduates enter medical and health profession schools, graduate schools for M.S. or Ph.D. degrees, K-12 education or industry jobs.

Additionally, the five-year B.S./M.S. biology-education program is designed for students who wish to become certified secondary school (grades 7-12) science teachers. The program incorporates the four-year B.S. degree in biology with additional work during the summer and a fifth year to complete the M.S. in secondary education and become certified. Given the numerous course requirements for the dual degrees and the certification, it is important that you speak with your biology education adviser about this program early on if you are interested to ensure you are taking appropriate courses.

How will Saint Joseph’s University Prepare You for a Career in Biology?

While participating in research is not required, opportunities abound year-round for motivated students and are highly recommended. The experience of doing original research has far-reaching benefits in and beyond the field of biology. As a biology major, you will work closely with faculty members, all of whom have varied backgrounds and unique expertise, and who will encourage you to join them as a co-investigator, giving you the opportunity to present your work at local and national scientific meetings. It is not unusual for a student’s work to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Continue Your Education in Biology

Saint Joseph's offers a Masters of Art and a Masters of Science in Biology. Undergraduate students enrolled at SJU with majors in biology or environmental science may be able to complete a combined 5-year B.S./M.A. or B.S./M.S. degree.

Course Catalog Information

Related Programs

Environmental Science

All over the world, societies have become increasingly concerned about the safety of air, food and water. Recent weather‐related events have sparked an interest in understanding the earth's climate and the human factors that play a role in global climate change. This heightened public awareness of the perils facing our natural resources has increased the demand for environmental scientists and specialists.

Chemical Biology

The chemical biology major at Saint Joseph’s University, offered by the departments of biology and chemistry, will provide you with the tools needed to understand the chemical processes that occur at the molecular level.

Chemistry

The chemistry major at Saint Joseph’s introduces students to all of the major sub-disciplines in chemistry: analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic and physical. Emphasis is placed on chemistry as a laboratory science.