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)

Knowledge is only useful when it is applied. That’s why we have an active internship program that puts students in hospitals, labs, museums, agencies and businesses related to biology. Nearly half of Dickinson biology students study off-campus for a semester or more, providing them a wider perspective and facilitating meaningful engagement in their field.

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.