Overview: Biology is a dynamic science aimed at gaining a better understanding of the processes of living organisms. Biology searches for answers to current problems and ways to avoid future dilemmas. Specialized fields of biology, such as botany, zoology, and molecular biology have made key contributions to the health and welfare of the world's population.
Curriculum: The Biology curriculum is enriched by interactions with the Missouri Botanical Garden, the St. Louis Zoological park, the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, the Pediatric Research Institute, and Cardinal Glennon Hospital. Through these resources, students have the opportunity to study biology beyond the limits of the classroom. The Department of Biology also has two field stations for research and teaching, providing unique opportunities for students to explore ecology and conservation biology through hands-on experimentation. The field stations offer students opportunities for summer course work or for undergraduate research throughout the year. Also, students may visit the stations for field trips in undergraduate courses. Students are encouraged to round out their educations by participating in co-curricular activities. Groups such as Beta Beta Beta, the biology honorary society, and the Pre-Med Club are social and academic organizations that further students' interest in biology while exposing them to its relationship with other scientific disciplines.
Careers in the Field: Many biology graduates have attended major medical, dental, optometry, veterinary, and graduate schools. Some graduates do professional research for various agencies and corporations. Many state and municipal governments maintain active research laboratories. Research opportunities with the federal government include the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Office of Naval Research, and NASA. Many companies, such as Monsanto Company, Sigma Chemical, and Mallinckrodt in St. Louis also conduct biological research. Institutional research, often affiliated with private or public universities and philanthropic foundations, offers a variety of research and development opportunities. Some of these facilities are the Argonne, Oak Ridge, and Los Alamos Laboratories, as well as the Smithsonian Institute and American Museum of Natural History
Other employment opportunities for biology graduates include positions at museums, zoological and botanical gardens, hospitals, and various agencies. Graduates may also pursue careers in education, business, and sales and management with chemical, pharmaceutical, or scientific equipment manufacturers.
About the Faculty: Your Department of Biology represents a major educational component consisting of outstanding faculty within our distinguished College and Institution. We continue to experience growth in step with the University's mission to provide a quality education for the whole person! The Department of Biology has a long history of serving the needs of many students majoring in biological areas and providing courses for majors of other academic units at SLU.
Internship Opportunities: Talented students with an interest in research, teaching, or both may conduct independent research in a faculty member's laboratory. This allows exploration of research methods and philosophy. These opportunities enhance students' qualifications for entry into professional and graduate schools or business and industrial careers. Advanced undergraduate students, with good academic records, are encouraged to apply for teaching assistantships. These students usually are paired with a graduate student to teach a laboratory section of an introductory course. In addition to a stipend, assistants gain teaching experience and the opportunity to help others become interested in the field of biology.
Scholarships: Teaching and research assistantships, fellowships, and other opportunities are available.
Saint Louis University, Madrid Campus is designed to fulfill the first two years of undergraduate study in traditional university degree programs. Most of our students finish the last two years of their degrees in the U.S. at our main campus in Missouri (or at another U.S. university in the world).
As such, the Madrid Campus cannot accept transfer students with more than 45 credit hours, with the exception of Spanish and International Business majors, who can now spend all four years in Madrid, and graduate with a bachelor's degree from Saint Louis University.
