Bachelor in Biology Carroll University

Biology is the study of life, from the smallest of single-cell organisms to the rich complexity of the human being. How does life begin and evolve? How do organisms adapt to the environment and interact with one another? These are the questions biologists explore in classrooms, research laboratories, and in the natural world.

In Carroll University’s biology program, you’ll explore and come to understand the most basic, pressing issues of life, using the tools of the scientist. Through research and hands-on work which begin in your first year, you’ll study the living world—from small, single-celled organisms, to humans, to elephants (you may end up conducting your own research study at the Milwaukee County Zoo).

You’ll gain the knowledge you’ll need to work in a research lab or for graduate school, which will allow you to pursue a career in health sciences. And you’ll have the opportunity to conduct real science. Using the scientific method, you’ll plan and conduct experiments and learn to interpret the results. You’ll gain problem-solving, time management, and critical thinking skills and be prepared for a wide range of career and post-graduate educational options. We also provide strong support for students focused on a particular career, helping you shape your own education. And the major pairs easily with numerous other disciplines at Carroll, meaning you can obtain a double major and still graduate in four years.

Our program has had excellent success obtaining grant funding for student research, and many students go on to present their research at regional or national meetings of professional organizations. You’ll have opportunities to work with state-of-the-art research and analytical equipment at our campus facilities. And you may even get your feet wet in the marsh and springs of the off-campus Prairie Springs Environmental Education Center. You’ll benefit from and work alongside professional faculty who routinely engage in their own research projects.

Become a Science Teacher

Majoring in biology and secondary education readies you for a career teaching biology at the middle and high school level. Pairing this major with a secondary education major will expand your teaching horizons as you complete the requirements for a science license.

You’ll study microbiology, learning about the structure and function of living things at the molecular level, as well as genetics and cellular biology. Next, you'll move on to study comparative vertebrate zoology, where you’ll explore the evolution and diversity of structure and function in vertebrate systems.

Finally, your coursework will examine organismal physiology and the biological adaptations plants and animals undergo to cope with their environments. You can also select from additional courses such as human physiology, cell biology, aquatic biology, or conversation biology.

Emphases/Minor

While not required, biology majors may choose to specialize their study through one of the following emphases. In addition to the major, Carroll offers a minor in biology that complements many areas of study.

• Pre-podiatry Emphasis
• Biology Minor

After completing the Biology major, students will:

• Understand foundational principles across ecological, organismal, and cellular/molecular fields in biology
• Be able to apply foundational knowledge to solve biological problems
• Interpret and generate scientific data (graphical or other formats)
• Develop hypotheses, design controlled experiments, and perform data analyses
• Understand the theoretical basis of fundamental laboratory techniques
• Communicate scientific information through written or oral formats
• Develop informational research skills by reading scientific textbooks, articles, and searching peer-reviewed databases

Students in the Biology program may be considered for graduation with program honors if they complete the following requirements:

• GPA, Biology courses: 3.6 or higher GPA, Overall: 3.4 or higher
• Presentation of research project results at a regional or national meeting (e.g., BBB or a disciplinary society) or submission of a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal Demonstrated commitment to the biology profession, broadly defined, above and beyond that of the average student. Evidence of such commitment will come from one or more of the following:
  • Active membership in Beta Beta Beta, the Biological Honor Society.
  • Active membership in a professional/scholarly organization related to biology (e.g., Ecological Society of America, American Society for Microbiology, etc.).
  • Significant educational activity/outreach (e.g., tutoring, mentoring) at the university or other level.
  • Consistent and sustained volunteer activity in an organization working on environmental, health, or other issues relevant to biology.
  • Significant research activity separate from or above and beyond the capstone.
  • Sustained activity in science-related policy/consulting in communication, journalism, government, public policy, business, industry or education.

The Biology faculty will review these requirements for all graduating seniors in the spring semester of each year.

Our majors pursue careers in:

• Biotechnology
• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Botany
• Systematic biology
• Entomology
• Bioinformatics
• Legislation/Law
• Biological photography
• Technical writing
• Illustration
• Education
• Biomedicine
• Healthcare

Our graduates went on to careers such as:

• Chief of Staff, Veterans Hospital, Milwaukee
• Director, Arizona Cancer Center
• Ecologist, Grand Canyon, United States Geological Survey
• Flight Surgeon, U.S. Navy
• Medical Director at the Comprehensive Center for Bleeding Disorders at the Blood Center of Wisconsin
• Park Ranger, U.S. Park Service, Acadia National Park
• Physician’s Assistant, ProHealth Care
• Project Scientist, Agro Biosciences, Inc.
• Veterinary Neurosurgeon, SAGE Center for Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care

Types of employers for biology graduates:

• Pharmaceutical companies
• Hospitals and medical centers
• Research foundations
• Scientific publishing or software companies
• Educational institutions
• Government agencies and laboratories

Example job titles of graduates with a bachelor’s degree in biology:

• Technologist
• Laboratory technician
• Associate scientist
• Lab assistant
• Research assistant
• Associate chemist
• Lab aide

Core Courses

• BIO 120 - General Biology I 4 Hour(s)
• BIO 120L - General Biology I Laboratory 0 Hour(s)
• BIO 125 - General Biology II 4 Hour(s)
• BIO 125L - General Biology II Laboratory 0 Hour(s)
• BIO 220 - Genetics 4 Hour(s)
• BIO 220L - Genetics Laboratory 0 Hour(s)
• BIO 225 - Organismal Physiology 4 Hour(s)
• BIO 225L - Organismal Physiology Laboratory 0 Hour(s)
• BIO 395 - Professional Readiness in the Biological Sciences 2 Hour(s)
• BIO 495 - Integrating Biological Sciences 2 Hour(s)

Required Support Courses

• CHE 109 - Principles of Chemistry I 4 Hour(s)
• CHE 109L - Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory 0 Hour(s)
• CHE 110 - Principles of Chemistry II 4 Hour(s)
• CHE 110L - Principles of Chemistry II - Laboratory 0 Hour(s)
• CHE 203 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Hour(s)
• CHE 203L - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 0 Hour(s)

Four Elective Courses

Including at least one course from each area listed below:

Bachelor of Science Requirements

The requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree are:

• CMP 112 - Computational Thinking I 4 Hour(s)
• CMP 114 - Computational Thinking II - Statistical Analysis Emphasis 4 Hour(s) or

• MAT 140 - Calculus and Its Applications 4 Hour(s) or higher
• CSC 110 - Problem-Solving through Programming 4 Hour(s) or higher

• ENG 170 - Writing Seminar 4 Hour(s)
• Degree requirements cannot be waived.

Note: Each major may have specific course sequencing requirements. For specific requirements, see “Required Support Courses” within each major

Internships

We help you build real-world experience, explore careers, and network with professionals through internship opportunities. Recent placements include the following companies:

• Brookfield Zoo, Chicago
• Medical College of Wisconsin Summer Program for Undergraduate Research
• National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates program, Friday Harbor Marine Laboratory, Washington State
• National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates program, University of Kansas
• Oceans of Fun Sea Lion Program, Milwaukee County Zoo
• Shedd Aquarium, Chicago
• Student Research Intern, Harvard Medical School
• Undergraduate Research Program, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Cancer Center, Massachusetts