BS Biology

The B.S. Biology program at ESU teaches students the fundamental biological principles and techniques for graduates to be successful in the career or graduate program of their choice. Biology faculty have a diverse background of skills and interests, and they mentor students on independent research projects in microbiology, animal and plant biology, pathology, and neuroscience. Our facilities include a microscopy lab including a scanning electron microscope, a research collection of thousands of preserved local animal and plant specimens, a greenhouse, an advanced molecular biotechnology laboratory, and a state-of-the-art marine aquaculture facility.

Biology majors are not required to declare a concentration. However, a student who wishes to focus their studies in one area may choose from among the following concentrations.

• The Integrative Organismal Biology concentration emphasizes the study of the ecology, behavior, and evolution of organisms. The concentration is appropriate for students interested in working in fields such as wildlife management, forestry, environmental consulting, natural history interpretation, environmental education, conservation, museum collection management, zoo/aquarium collections management, and for students planning to attend graduate school in botany, zoology, ecology, behavior, or evolution.
• The concentration in Laboratory Medicine prepares students to practice science in this diverse field. The goal of the program is to develop highly literate, compassionate, analytically competent persons who possess extensive contemporary knowledge of medical laboratory skills. Students are urged to participate in scholarly activities such as research, scientific writing, presentation of papers, and attendance at scientific meetings.
• The concentration in Pre-Medicine is designed to prepare students for further training as medical professionals in the fields of dentistry, medicine, optometry, podiatry, and veterinary medicine. Required courses for the concentration are tailored to meet the entrance requirements of the desired graduate programs.
• Students in the Pre-Physical Therapy concentration are biology majors, but direct their class work and activities toward gaining entrance into schools which offer post-baccalaureate programs leading to a physical therapy license. Entrance into physical therapy schools is highly competitive, and the concentration provides students with a structured curriculum and the rigorous background they need to gain entrance to physical therapy graduate schools. ESU has an established internship program with several physical therapy clinics, providing students with at least 300 hours of experience working alongside a practicing physical therapist.
• The Pre-Physician Assistant concentration prepares students to be competitive applicants to post-baccalaureate programs leading to licensing as a physician assistant. Students complete a Biology major with a concentration in Pre-PA studies, which includes specific curricular requirements tailored to provide the background necessary for admission into Physician Assistant graduate programs. Students are also expected to obtain hundreds of hours of clinical experience outside the classroom, and there are many opportunities available at local medical facilities.
• ESU's Secondary Education concentration provides the scientific and educational background needed for Secondary Education certification in Biology. The requirements for certification include successful completion of coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math; completion of courses in the College of Education, and a culminating semester-long student teaching experience.
• The General Biology concentration provides a strong overall foundation in the biological sciences to prepare students for a wide range of careers and graduate programs.