Biology is one of the largest majors at Dickinson, home to 14 faculty members with research expertise in ecology, molecular genetics, cell biology, plant biology, animal physiology, microbiology, neuroscience, bioinformatics and evolution. We provide opportunities for our students to stimulate critical thinking, refine communication skills and gain technical expertise to tackle the complex biological, ecological and clinical challenges of our time.

All of our majors participate in research at some point during their time at Dickinson, and we strongly believe active participation in scientific exploration is paramount to their intellectual development as thoughtful scientists. These experiences prime our students for graduate and medical school admissions as well as various careers in biology. Many of these experiences lead to student presentations at professional meetings and to authorship of scientific publications.

The Princeton Review has named Dickinson a “great school for biology majors” (2020)

Biology at Dickinson extends far beyond the Carlisle campus. Nearly half of Dickinson biology students study off-campus for a semester or more, in our own Global programs or at partner institutions in the US and abroad. These experiences provide students with a wider perspective through coursework and research experiences that add to the value of a Dickinson biology degree.

We hope you’ll take time to learn more about what it would be like to join our departmental community. You're always welcome to visit a lab or a class with one of our award-winning faculty members. Also, please check out our related programs in neuroscience, biochemistry & molecular biology and environmental science.

Contact Info

Chair

David KushnerProfessor of Biology

Department Coordinator

Janice WissAcademic Department Coordinator

Phone

717-245-1329

Fax

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Location

Rector North Room 1302 Mailing Address

Department Features




Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs

  • DeWolf Chemical
  • GeneOne Life Sciences
  • Yellowstone National Park
  • Dana Farber Cancer Institute
  • Penn Medicine
  • MIT Jacobs Lab
  • Peace Corps
  • Schmahmann Lab of Neuroscience at Mass General
  • Maryland Laser, Skin & Vein Institute

Graduate Schools

  • Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
  • Columbia University
  • Duke University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Glasgow
  • University of Michigan
Where Our Students Have Interned
  • Academy of Natural Sciences
  • American Museum of Natural History
  • Center for International Health Research
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Friday Harbor Labs
  • Idaho Fish and Game Department
  • Staten Island Zoo
  • Strong Children's Research Center

Student Perspective

I have always loved being in the outdoors, and I wanted a major where I could learn in it, not just about it. Studying biology has been a great way for me to apply what I learn in class to meaningful field experiences.

Jack Buck ’21


 

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