Academics
Biology Major
Create your Adventure in Biology
Thank you for considering the Biology Program at Iowa State University as your destination for life sciences! As an interdepartmental major, we offer a wide range of educational opportunities in human health (premed/pre-health professions), animal health (prevet), plant sciences, biodiversity, cell biology, developmental biology, ecology, evolution, genetics & genome engineering, molecular biology, neuroscience, and many more. Students in our program receive a broad foundation in biological sciences and can tailor their program of study to their specific interests. Our students are strongly encouraged to participate in high-impact experiential learning opportunities (including undergraduate research, internships, study abroad field trips, and more). Become a world-changer and begin your adventure in BIOLOGY.
Learn more about degree requirements
Biology major learning objectives and outcomes
An Interdepartmental Major
The Departments of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) and the Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology (GDCB) jointly offer the undergraduate biology major.
The biology major prepares students for graduate study and entrance into various professional schools, such as human medicine, physician’s assistant, physical therapy, or veterinary medicine.
Our professional advisors help students design a unique program of study that will meet individual student objectives.
Biology Minor
The biology minor at Iowa State University adds a biological science focus to a student's program of study that can be tailored to their interest area.
Why Study Biology
Biology is the study of living organisms and represents a vast field with many specializations and sub-disciplines. Why should you care about biology?
- You are a biological organism! Learning about biology is learning about yourself and your fellow humans. Biology is fundamental to human medicine and also helps you understand “who am I... and why am I here?”
- Biological organisms are everywhere! Planet Earth is home to incredible biological diversity and you depend entirely upon these neighbors for your existence. All the food we eat comes from other organisms, as do countless other material products we use every day.
- Biology is essential to understanding world issues! Many of our most essential challenges relate to biology. To address these challenges we need to understand living organisms and how they affect global systems.
- You could discover something new! There are many questions yet to be answered in biology, and you could be one of the scientists using new approaches and technologies to illuminate the mysteries of life.
- Biology is the top major for students entering into medical school and medical professions.
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200+biology courses to choose from
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50biology faculty members
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138biology degrees earned in 2022-2023
Opportunities in Biology
Engage with campus activities beyond the classroom to develop skills, connections, and experience!
