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Biology
Explore the science of life with a Biology major that prepares you for exciting careers and future studies in medicine, research, environmental science, and more. From understanding cells to exploring entire ecosystems, you’ll develop the skills to ask big questions—and find the answers.
Hands-on learning starts in your first year, with labs and faculty-led research projects that let you dive deep into scientific discovery. Whether you’re analyzing DNA, studying wildlife, or investigating medical breakthroughs, this major gives you the knowledge and experience to make an impact in the world of science.
Experiential Learning
Faculty-led research – Conduct research for course credit alongside expert faculty in areas such as genetics, microbiology, and ecology.
Senior capstone project – Apply skills to independent research, lab studies, or fieldwork in a culminating academic experience.
Professional networking – Engage with peers and professionals through Tri-Beta (Biological Honor Society) and the Biology Undergraduate Society, gaining leadership and career connections.
Program Details
Required Courses – 48-52 hrs.
- BIO 150: Introduction to Biology (2 hrs.)
- BIO 151: Molecules to Cells (3 hrs.)
- BIO 152: Molecules to Cells Laboratory (1 hr.)
- BIO 250: Organismal Biology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 251: Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity (3 hrs.)
- BIO 252: Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Lab (1 hr.)
- BIO 260: Biological Statistics I (1 hr.)
- BIO 261: Biological Statistics II (2 hrs.)
- BIO 310: Genetics (3 hrs.)
- BIO 311: Genetics Laboratory (1 hr.)
- BIO 490: Biology Capstone (1 hr.)
- CHM 110: General Chemistry I (3 hrs.)
- CHM 111: General Chemistry I Lab (1 hr.)
- CHM 116: General Chemistry II (4 hrs.)
- CHM 117: General Chemistry II Lab (1 hr.)
- CHM 252: Organic Chemistry I (4 hrs.)
- CHM 253: Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 hr.)
- CHM 256: Organic Chemistry II (3 hrs.)
- CHM 257: Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 hr.)
- MTH 115: Brief Calculus With Applications I (4 hrs.)
- PHY 107: General Physics I (4 hrs.)
- PHY 108: General Physics II (4 hrs.)
Sub-Organismal Courses (choose one + lab) (4 hrs.)
- BIO 312: Developmental Biology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 314: Plant Development (4 hrs.)
- BIO 381: Comparative Animal Physiology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 464: Cell Biology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 468: Immunology of Host Defense (4 hrs.)
- BIO 484: Neurophysiology (4 hrs.)
Organismal Courses (choose one + lab) (4 hrs.)
- BIO 323: Comparative Anatomy (4 hrs.)
- BIO 324: Plant Diversity (4 hrs.)
- BIO 334: Reproduction and Identification of Flowering Plants (4 hrs.)
- BIO 361: Microanatomy (4 hrs.)
- BIO 371: Invertebrate Zoology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 406: General Microbiology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 408: Bacterial Pathogenesis (4 hrs.)
- BIO 417: Environmental Physiology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 419: Ethology (4 hrs.)
Supra-Organismal Courses (choose one + lab) – 3-4 hrs.
- BIO 420: Ecosystem Ecology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 450: Conservation Biology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 460: Ecology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 463: Plant Ecology (4 hrs.)
Elective Courses (choose two; lab is optional) – 3-4 hrs.
- BIO 312: Developmental Biology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 314: Plant Development (4 hrs.)
- BIO 323: Comparative Anatomy (4 hrs.)
- BIO 324: Plant Diversity (4 hrs.)
- BIO 334: Reproduction and Identification of Flowering Plants (4 hrs.)
- BIO 361: Microanatomy (4 hrs.)
- BIO 371: Invertebrate Zoology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 381: Comparative Animal Physiology (3-4 hrs.)
- BIO 406: General Microbiology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 408: Bacterial Pathogenesis (4 hrs.)
- BIO 417: Environmental Physiology (3-4 hrs.)
- BIO 419: Ethology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 420: Ecosystem Ecology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 440: Evolution (3 hrs.)
- BIO 450: Conservation Biology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 460: Ecology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 463: Plant Ecology (4 hrs.)
- BIO 464: Cell Biology (3-4 hrs.)
- BIO 468: Immunology of Host Defense (3-4 hrs.)
- BIO 475: Special Topics Biology (2-4 hrs.)
- BIO 482: Endocrinology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 484: Neurophysiology (3-4 hrs.)
- BIO 502: Biometry (3 hrs.)
- BIO 503: Molecular Genetics (3-4 hrs.)
- BIO 505: Topics in Bioethics (3 hrs.)
- BIO 506: Advanced Microbiology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 508: Advanced Bacterial Pathogenesis (3 hrs.)
- BIO 509: Human Genetics (3 hrs.)
- BIO 517: Environmental Physiology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 519: Comparative Animal Behavior (3 hrs.)
- BIO 520: Advanced Ecosystems Ecology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 525: Advanced Physiology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 526: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 527: Physiology of Anesthesia (3 hrs.)
- BIO 530: Plant Systematics (3 hrs.)
- BIO 540: Evolution (3 hrs.)
- BIO 550: Conservation Biology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 563: Advanced Plant Ecology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 564: Advanced Cell Biology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 568: Cellular and Molecular Immunology (3 hrs.)
- BIO 575: Special Graduate Topics in Biology (2-3 hrs.)
Degree Concentrations
Take your career any way you want! Explore the different degree concentrations that we offer for you to personalize your education.
This concentration will prepare you for the State of Illinois Professional Educator’s License in High School (Secondary) Education. As a biology education major, you’ll gain hands-on field experience starting in your first year, with more opportunities in your sophomore and junior years, preparing you for a senior year student-teaching experience. Bradley faculty and supervising teachers will mentor you throughout the process, helping you build a strong foundation in biology and natural sciences.
The teacher education department is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and its high school education program is nationally recognized by multiple professional associations including the National Science Teachers Association.
Explore cells and molecules to build a full understanding of an organism’s structure and function. The cell and molecular biology concentration is ideal for lab technicians or as a stepping stone to careers in chiropractic, pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, or veterinary science.
Many graduates are employed at zuChem, DuPont Pioneer, Eli Lilly, ParkLands Foundation, and Endotronix.
Build a strong foundation in understanding how organisms interact with and adapt to their environments. From your first year, you’ll engage in research methods and gain hands-on experience through labs, independent projects, and summer research opportunities. By graduation, you’ll have personalized mentorship from faculty with expertise in ecology and evolutionary biology, opportunities to publish and present your research and a senior research capstone project.
Prepare for a career conducting diagnostic tests in medical laboratories. The Medical Technology concentration prepares you to apply for clinical programs in medical technology or medical laboratory science across the U.S. If you’re interested in hospital lab specialties, you can pursue a medical laboratory science degree.
Career Opportunities
A degree in biology can open doors to a wide range of exciting careers. Whether you’re interested in research, healthcare, or the environment, there’s a path for you.
Research & Innovation – Work in biotech, pharmacology, agronomy, conservation, sustainability, and medicine.
Healthcare & Medicine – Become a pharmacist, neurologist, pediatrician, surgeon, veterinarian, or genetic counselor.
Wildlife & Environmental Science – Explore careers as a zoologist, wildlife rehabilitator, fisheries biologist, or forest manager.
Education & Museums – Share your knowledge as a teacher, professor, or museum curator.
Law & Policy – Specialize in environmental law, work as a patent lawyer, or become an EPA inspector.
Laboratory & Forensic Science – Take on roles like lab technician, pathologist, or forensic scientist.
Minors
The biology minor, available to all students, provides a foundation in biological processes and their practical applications. It includes biology courses and requires statistics coursework.
The biology minor pairs nicely with other science degrees, offering you the opportunity to gain more experience in biology while at Bradley.
The neuroscience minor combines biology and psychology to help you understand behavior. You’ll explore topics like addiction, genetics, learning, and perception. This minor is ideal for careers in medicine, research, marketing, or pharmaceuticals.
While open to all students, space is limited. To apply, take PSY 201 Brain and Behavior as a first-year student and apply by fall of your sophomore year.
Bradley’s sustainability minor, open to all students, provides you with knowledge and skills to live more sustainably, inspire others to do the same, and tackle sustainability challenges in your career. You can tailor the minor to your interests through optional tracks in policy and socioeconomics, science and technology, or art and humanities.
In this interdisciplinary minor, courses cover the intersection of sustainability with engineering, natural sciences, economics, politics, and more, helping you to develop problem-solving skills necessary to address complex social, environmental, and economic challenges.