Why study Biology at Washburn?

The biology generalist degree at Washburn gives you a strong foundation as a scientist, no matter your career of interest. Because all Washburn biology students graduate with research experience, you can be confident that your skill, knowledge and ability as a scientist, critical thinker, and communicator of complex information will grow in this program. Graduates have gone on to further their education in graduate school, combined their interest in science with another degree for a specialized field (law school, for example), and gone on to work as field biologists or in laboratories.
Career ForecastĀ Growing OutlookAverage SalaryĀ $42,660on campus
Students talk while at a microscope studying a sample.

What sets Biology at Washburn apart?

  • The Biology Department has a strong community. Whether you know exactly what you want to do or you want to explore the field of possibility, you’ll receive mentorship and peer connections that will guide and support you.
  • Biology Department Scholarships are available to incoming and returning majors.
  • Find your people on campus with one of four biology student clubs
  • Graduate with research experience guided by a faculty mentor, which could lead to a conference presentation or publication.

Degree options:

Bachelor of Science

To earn a B.S. degree in biology, a student must satisfy the following:

  • University and general education requirements
  • 44 credit hours in biology
    • 20 credit hours of biology core requirements, plus
    • 24 credit hours of biology electives; 21 of which must be upper division
  • 30-hour natural sciences minor (chemistry, physics, mathematics)
    • 20 hours must be in courses from one department other than biology

Degree requirements

Sample schedule (PDF)

Major map (PDF)

Bachelor of Arts

To earn a B.A. degree in biology, a student must satisfy the following:

  • University and general education requirements
  • 38 credit hours in biology
    • 20 credit hours of biology core requirements, plus
    • 18 credit hours of biology electives
  • Foreign language competency requirement (see courses required)

Degree requirements

Sample schedule (PDF)

Major map (PDF)

Washburn's Biology program offers specialization in:

A biology professor studies a specimen in a field.

Environmental biology

  • This is right for you if you want to work with plants, animals, or insects as a conservationist, zoologist or field biologist.
A student places a slide under a microscope.

Forensic biology

  • This is right for you if you want to work as part of a crime scene processing team.
A biology student use a pipette while working with a sample.

Molecular biology and biotechnology

  • This is right for you if you know you want to work in biology at the cellular level, in fields such as virology, immunology, and genetics.
A biology professor explains something to a student in class.

Biology secondary education

  • This is right for you if you want to teach biology at the middle or high school level.
A student carefully works on an experiment

Pre-Health Professions

  • Tailor your degree to prepare you for dentistry, medical, optometry, pharmacy or veterinary school.

Set for success

CAREER FORECAST: growing outlook

Qualities for success

Critical-thinking

Problem-solving

Detail oriented

Communication and collaboration

Student/faculty ratio

16:1

Washburn biology provides

Well-respected program

Strong departmental community

Research experience

Financial and academic support

GET IN TOUCH WITH Department of Biology

Department of Biology
Stoffer Science Hall, Room 202
Washburn University
1700 SW College Ave
Topeka, KS 66621

Phone & Email
Phone: 785-670-2077
biology@washburn.edu

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