Biology at Western

The Biology Program provides broad training in the life sciences leading to a variety of careers. All majors become engaged in fundamental biological principles through a core set of five courses in our Biology nucleus, while the program's flexibility allows students to specialize in areas of their interest with five different emphases including Cell Biology and Pre-Medicine, Ecology and Environmental Biology, Allied Health, Secondary Education Licensure, and General Biology. All majors also receive training in supporting sciences appropriate for each emphasis.

Research in Biology

Biology majors at Western have the opportunity to conduct independent, cutting-edge research through our endowed Thornton Undergraduate Research Program. Students receive personalized mentoring by faculty who are experts in fields of research including wildlife biology, conservation, developmental biology, evolutionary ecology, aquatic ecology, virology, and genomics, to name only a few.

Our outstanding faculty provides quality learning in the classroom and through hands-on activities in our outstanding indoor laboratories and in the living laboratory of the Gunnison Basin. Small classes and low student-to-faculty ratios allow meaningful interaction between biology students and faculty, both in and out of the classroom.

Many biology graduates pursue careers in biological research, education, and applied sciences such as wildlife biology, fisheries, and forestry. The biology major prepares graduates to succeed in graduate school and professional schools in disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, ecology, and wildlife biology.