Biology Program Overview
In this program, you’ll explore everything from basic biology and genetics to advanced topics ranging from molecular biology, physiology and marine biology to ecology, botany and toxicology. You’ll conduct faculty-led research in well-equipped laboratories and five nature preserves. You’ll also have opportunities to present the results of important research at local and national conferences. Whether you’re considering employment immediately after graduation or planning to pursue an advanced degree, you’ll have the knowledge and hands-on training you need to take your next steps with confidence.
This program is ideal for anyone who:
- Wants to pursue a career in human or veterinary medicine
- Likes the idea of becoming a lab technician or doing meaningful research
- Is fascinated by living systems of all kinds from those in plants to fungi and marine life
Learning Experiences
You can look forward to:
- Learning from an extraordinary group of professors who are respected scholars in their fields
- Having the flexibility to focus your program in a very specific direction by adding a forensic biology or biotechnology concentration to your biology major
- Having opportunities to conduct research in unique facilities, such as:
- Four laboratories dedicated to collaborative research
- A greenhouse and facility for housing research animals
- Five local environmental preserves and modern science instrumentation
Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society - This honor society is a great way to connect with other students in service and social activities and to help improve the understanding of biology.
Student Internships
You’ll have opportunities to participate in summer research internships at prestigious research universities, governmental organizations and on the AU campus. For example, Ashland University is a member of the Bioscience Consortium of Northeast Ohio, which supports biotechnology education and undergraduate research, as well as student internships. The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster and Charles River Laboratories also routinely provide internships for biology majors.
Curriculum
The following are three of the interesting classes you might take:
- The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life - Explore the question: What are the molecular and cellular processes that define life? How are they sustained from generation to generation?
- Field Zoology - Learn the principles of field study and the collection, preservation and identification of common vertebrate and invertebrate animals.
- Forensic Science - Explore the application of scientific methods and techniques to problems in the field of forensic science, including analysis of hair, fingerprinting and DNA analysis.
Learn more by reviewing the Four-Year Curriculum Guide, Academic Catalog, and Course Rotation Schedule.
Graduate Outcomes
Biology majors have a strong track record of entering health professional schools, including medical, physician assistant and veterinary schools. Since 2004, more than 90 percent of AU biology majors who have applied to health professional schools have been admitted within one year of graduation. Our majors also find lucrative employment directly after graduation.
Employers of Recent Graduates
Recent graduates of the biology program found employment at:
- Charles River Laboratories
- Toledo Zoo
- Battelle Corporation
- University of Kansas Medical Center
- Central Admixture Pharmacy Services
- Cleveland Cord Blood Center
- United Way of Knox County
Career Opportunities
There is a broad range of career pathways open to biology majors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that careers in biology will grow over the next decade. In particular, the BLS forecasts that biological technician jobs will grow at a rate of 5 percent from 2022 to 2032. In 2022, the median salary of a biological technician was $49,650. Environmental scientists earned a median salary of $76,480 in 2022, and jobs for environmental scientists are expected to grow by 7 percent.
