Biology Major
Discover career options as diverse as life itself in Drake’s Biology program.
College of Arts & Sciences | On-Campus
Program Options
Drake’s Biology programs build on a common framework that exposes you to fundamental concepts and allows you to tailor your education based on personal interests.
B.A. in Biology
The Bachelor of Arts in Biology introduces students to four core subject areas: molecular and cellular processes, biological diversity, systems biology, and ecology/evolution biology. Apply concepts to real-world challenges through lab and fieldwork.
B.S. in Biology
The Bachelor of Science in Biology provides significant experience in biological research, along with instruction in the four core areas listed above. Students will complete a research paper and oral presentation, as well as a year-long research collaboration with a faculty member.
Biology Minor
Students interested in the life sciences can minor in Biology. This exploration provides a holistic background in the subject while also allowing them to delve into subdisciplines that pique their curiosity.
Pre-Professional
Students who earn a B.S. or B.A. degree in Biology and meet the entrance requirements may apply to advanced programs in medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic medicine, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, or another allied health-related area. In addition, students harness these skills to embark on careers in industry, government, or private organizations.
Pre-Medical Studies
Prepare for medical school by fulfilling prerequisite requirements as a Biology major. You’ll work with faculty mentors and advisors to select courses and experiential opportunities that strengthen your application and ensure success. Pathways include veterinary medicine, dental school, optometry school, forensic sciences, chiropractic school, nursing (3+1 Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing), Occupational Therapy (3+3 Occupational Therapy Doctorate pathway), and physician assistant studies.
Meet the Faculty
All of our full-time faculty hold doctoral degrees, with their expertise covering most of the major subfields of biology. That spectrum means you can choose from a wide range of classes, where you’ll learn from teachers and active researchers invested in your success.
Dr. Marc Busch
Associate Professor, Biology; Department Chair, Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology
Dr. Lan Zhou
Assistant Professor of Practice, Biology
Adina Kilpatrick
Associate Professor, Biophysics; Associate Dean, Biology
Outside the Classroom
Drake students get hands-on experience that sets them apart. In fact, our graduates often say that the research, internships, and other inquiry-based projects they completed here comprehensively prepared them to excel in advanced programs in medicine, the health sciences, and the biological sciences.
Labs
Study DNA in our molecular biology labs, test human endurance in our Exercise Sciences and Sports Medicine Lab, and explore the vast collections of the Biodiversity Center and greenhouse, among other resources on campus.
Research
Participate in the Drake University Science Collaborative Institute (DUSCI), a network of faculty and students committed to creating new knowledge, and present your findings at the annual Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences (DUCURS).
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Go to the shores of West Okoboji Lake in Iowa or the Gulf Coast in Mississippi, where you can earn credit toward a Biology degree while taking specialized courses in soil genesis, watershed hydrology, prairie ecology, marine biology and ecology, marine mammals and ichthyology, coastal herpetology, and oceanography.
Study Abroad
Whether you take a faculty-led J-Term course or spend a semester conducting research in another country while studying at a foreign university, we’ll help you fit this world-broadening experience into your schedule.
Internships
Des Moines, Iowa’s largest city, is fertile ground for science-related organizations. Drake students have recently held internships with local hospitals, healthcare clinics, veterinary clinics, conservation groups and organizations, and the local biotech industry.
Student Organizations
Engage in deeper discussion about biology and meet professionals in the field in the Pre-Medical Club, Phi Delta Epsilon, and Beta Beta Beta, the biology honors society.
Careers & Skills
A Biology degree from Drake prepares you for advanced studies or beginning a career in medicine, graduate school, forensics, biotechnology, environmental science, conservation, or another biologically related field. Behind these outcomes, our program’s inquiry-based approach highlights real-world applications of the scientific method, scientific exploration, and scientific development in the life sciences, equipping you to uncover answers to complex questions in a number of roles.
Opportunities
- Medicine
- Research
- Public health
- Patent law
- Medical sales
- Science education
Skills
- Active learning and critical thinking
- The scientific method, exploration, and development
- Lab work and data analysis skills
- Research and cutting-edge laboratory techniques
- Writing, scientific communication, and problem-solving
Salary & Growth Outlook
Salary range for careers with a bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Take the Next Step
When you’re part of a Biology program that ventures deep into the field, you’ll discover career paths you may not have even considered. See how Drake fits into your future.
