The major in biology prepares students to enter research or service careers associated with private industry or government programs and for primary and secondary school teaching. It also prepares them to enter advanced degree programs leading to careers in higher education and to independent research in a variety of biological fields, or for practice in health professions such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, veterinary medicine, medical technology, and physical therapy.

Students majoring in biology may earn a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree. All students complete the chemistry/physics/mathematics foundation and the biology core. In addition, B.S. students choose one of six tracks, while B.A. students choose courses from several breadth menus and have a wider selection of elective courses.