The processes and diversity of God's living creation. Biology

While many biology majors go on to graduate or medical school, a degree in biology also prepares you for entry-level positions in healthcare, public health, biotechnology, law enforcement/forensics, conservation, nature education, and other fields.  

Credential Type

    BA, BS

Credits Required

  • 50

Offered As

  • Major, Minor

Academic Opportunities

  • Biology Honors Program, Science Teacher Education

98.9% employed or in graduate school

Within six months of graduation, nearly 99% of Wheaton’s Class of 2021 found work in their field or continued their education.

86% pursue advanced degrees

The majority of Wheaton biology majors attend graduate, medical, dental, veterinary, or nursing school within 10 years.

11:1 student-faculty ratio

Small class sizes mean individualized attention and greater access to faculty.

Connect with Admissions

You can reach us anytime via admissions@wheaton.edu.

Loading...

Program Highlight Benefit From an Integrative Approach

Biology is part of the Biological and Health Sciences Department, which also includes Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Health Science, and Conservation & Ecological Health. Together, these five majors share a core curriculum designed to introduce you to the underpinnings of biological and health sciences and teach you how to read, write, produce, and speak about science. With this firm foundation, you will be well-positioned to pursue the major of your choice

Our interdisciplinary approach also allows us to creatively leverage existing relationships with other departments such as Chemistry, Geology & Environmental Science, and Psychology, to provide an integrated, robust learning experience that prepares you well for graduate school, medical school, or any number of careers in the field of biological and health sciences.

Faces & Spaces Where You’ll Learn, Who You’ll Meet

Raymond Lewise

Our Faculty

Biology faculty members are published authors and frequently present their academic research at conferences. Areas of expertise include cell biology, molecular mechanisms, disease transmission, evolutionary biology, stress, brain health, neuroscience, gene expression, zoology, and theories of origins.

Meet Our Faculty

Our Facilities & Equipment

The Meyer Science Center is home to state-of-the-art labs and learning spaces filled with modern equipment and instrumentation. It’s also home to the Perry Mastodon Exhibit.

Learn About the Meyer Science Center

Wheaton Student Looking into Microscope in Biology Lab

Our Experiences

Studying biology at Wheaton opens students up to many immersive learning experiences, from collaborative research projects with faculty mentors and internships to mission-driven service work around Chicagoland and abroad.

Explore Opportunities

WITH Wheaton Opportunities Across Campus & Beyond

Interdisciplinary learning is a way of life at Wheaton. Aside from your work within your chosen major, you can enrich your educational experience and connect with peers and professors across campus (and beyond) in many ways.

 


Real-World Learning at Wheaton & Beyond

  • Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR Program)
  • Wheaton in the Black Hills
  • Wheaton Summer Research Program

Other Opportunities

  • Research
  • Internships
  • Teaching and lab assistantships
  • Campus employment with the campus arboretum, aquarium, and greenhouses
  • Other international and domestic travel programs  
  • Summer science camps for local high school students

Related Centers, Organizations & Co-Curriculars

  • Health Professions Advising 
  • Earth Club
  • Wheaton A Rocha (student chapter of the international Christian conservation organization)

 Additional Academic Opportunities: Common Minors, Certificates & Second Majors


 

Meyer Science Center Sign
BIOLOGY for Christ & His Kingdom

Faith & Learning

A Wheaton education is built on the foundation of our unique Christ at the Core general education curriculum. The biology curriculum is designed to help students develop both a Christian and biological perspective for their careers and practices as stewards of God’s creation.

More About Christ at the Core

Success After Wheaton What You Can Do With a Biology Degree

Wheaton biology students are well-prepared for further professional training to ultimately pursue careers as healthcare practitioners, research scientists, and educators. Many graduates head right into the workforce, landing roles in a variety of industries.

Wheaton biology majors start their careers in positions such as:

  • Entomology research technician
  • Geospatial data scientist
  • Health program analyst
  • High school biology teacher
  • Laboratory assistant
  • Machine learning engineer
  • Science writer
  • STEM director

Additionally, pre-med/pre-vet and other pre-health students who attend medical and professional school after Wheaton become physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, veterinarians, and other healthcare providers.

Our alumni are accepted into graduate and professional programs at schools such as:

  • Columbia University (MPH, epidemiology) 
  • The George Washington University (PA)
  • Indiana University Bloomington (OD)
  • Notre Dame of Maryland University (PharmD)
  • Penn State University (MS, Soil Science)
  • Tufts University (DVM)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (MD)
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (DPT)
  • Vanderbilt University (MSN)
  • Virginia Institute of Marine Science (PhD)
  • Wake Forest University (PA)
  • Yale University (MPhil, Cell Biology)

Next Steps

Interested in studying biology at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.