Biology
Biologists study many aspects of how life operates — from the molecular details of cell function to how entire ecosystems function.
You’ll examine all aspects of the biological world, preparing you for multiple career paths, including the health professions, research, teaching and many others.
Explore advanced subjects in biology
Your first courses will give you a solid understanding of biological systems — covering everything from the molecular to the ecological level. With this foundational knowledge, you’ll be able to explore more advanced subjects, including:
- Marine biology
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Ecology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Physiology
Choose your preferred degree path
We offer two degrees in biology: a bachelor of science if you are considering a career in a health profession or research, and a bachelor of arts if your goal is to teach at the K-12 levels or pursue other post-graduate careers.
Get pre-med advising support
If you decide to pursue an advanced degree in medicine or allied health, you’ll have the help of our Pre-Med Advising Program to prepare for the challenges of graduate school.
At a Glance
Degree Type
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Department
Biology
School/College
College of Arts and Sciences
Next Steps
Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:
With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the biology program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.
Degree requirements
Find out what it takes to earn a degree in biology and explore the courses.
Highlighted Courses
Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.
BIOL 325: Environmental Ecology
A study of ecology with emphasis on humans and the environment. Problems such as overpopulation, food production, water and air pollution, the energy crisis and toxic waste disposal are discussed; their possible solutions are considered along with the social, political and economic ramifications.
Read descriptionBIOL 342: Developmental Biology
This advanced course affords students the opportunity to study the experimental basis underlying current understanding of animal development. Students read and present their analyses of seminal research papers in Developmental Biology, including classic examples as well as recent breakthrough publications.
Read descriptionBIOL 343: Invertebrate Zoology
Studies the morphology, physiology, taxonomy and ecology of most invertebrate phyla. Field trips and laboratory observation of living animals are emphasized.
Read descriptionBIOL 345: Marine Biology
The study of marine life of the world, with special emphasis on tidepool and shallow water life of the West Coast. Includes identification, distribution, adaptations of marine forms and their interrelationship to each other.
Read descriptionBIOL 350: Introduction to Neuroscience
The course covers the structure and function of the nervous system with an emphasis on the mammalian nervous system. There are four main topic areas: the cellular organization of the nervous system; neuronal signaling; transduction and coding of sensory information; and the generation and coordination of motor output and behavior.
Read descriptionBIOL 375: Cell Biology
The cellular nature of life is explored by studying prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and their component parts at the structural and functional levels.
Read descriptionView all required courses:
Recommended Minors
Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.
Professor and Fletcher Jones Professor of Developmental Biology
Department Chair
Professor of Biology
Lecturer in the Biology Department
Assistant Professor of Biology
Professor of Biology and Environmental Science
Professor of Biology
Lecturer in the Department of Biology
Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology
Lecturer in Biology
Associate Professor of Biology
Check out the spaces and tools you'll have access to in this major. Explore the entire Cal Lutheran campus with our virtual tour
Swenson Science Center, opened in 2020.
Biology research lab
Marine Science Teaching Lab
Biochemistry and virology lab
We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.
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Learning in Action
We emphasize “doing” science and an active approach to learning. Throughout your classes, you’ll gain a lot of research experience by working side-by-side with your professors in state-of-the-art facilities. You’ll design experiments, collect scientific data, perform statistical analysis and share your conclusions through research papers and presentations.
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Conference Presentations
Many of our students have the opportunity to perform independent research with faculty advisors on campus and present their findings at research consortiums, such as our annual Festival of Scholars or off-campus conferences.
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Research Opportunities
We offer numerous hands-on research experiences, including summer research fellowships. Students have also garnered recognition through California Heart Association grants, National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation summer research posts, and internships at local biotechnology firms such as Amgen and Baxter — among the nation’s top biopharmaceutical corporations.
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Student Clubs
Join our pre-health student clubs to connect with other students and faculty who share your passions and goals.
The American Medical Student Association is a club with a goal to foster the next generation of medical practitioners. This club provides students with the opportunity to participate in clinical and community volunteering. Furthermore and most importantly, this club offers the mentorship students need in order to pursue their careers within medicine.
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Honors Society
To build additional experience, you can join our departmental honors program with additional research-intensive courses, or the TriBeta National Biological Honor Society.
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STEM Living-Learning Community
Located in Conejo Hall, this program allows residential students in STEM majors to more frequently interact with peers and faculty members in their discipline, enabling them to easily form study groups. Additionally, STEM-focused programming provided by Residence Life staff and faculty members allows for integrated learning between the classroom and residence hall. Learn more
Coming into college, I didn’t know that I would actually be doing research as an undergraduate student. This has been eye-opening into what research really is like, especially working in a lab and within a team.
Alyssa Abano '20
Our biology program can open up a number of career opportunities. The health professions, such as medicine, allied health, nursing, dentistry, or veterinary medicine, are popular with biology majors. You can also pursue a career in research, biotechnology, genetics, clinical work, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and more. Many of our students are accepted into medical, dental, veterinary and other graduate schools.
Potential Careers
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.
Read descriptionCytogenetic Technologists
Analyze chromosomes or chromosome segments found in biological specimens, such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, solid tumors, and blood to aid in the study, diagnosis, classification, or treatment of inherited or acquired genetic diseases. Conduct analyses through classical cytogenetic, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) techniques.
Read descriptionPhysicians, Pathologists
Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.
Read descriptionPhysician Assistants
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
Read descriptionForensic Science Technicians
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Read descriptionBiological Technicians
Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
Read descriptionMicrobiologists
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Read descriptionMolecular and Cellular Biologists
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Read descriptionEmployers
Some of the organizations our graduates work for include:
- Amgen
- Baxter Bioscience
- BioSource International
- CA Institute of Molecular Medicine
- Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital
- DAKO, Inc.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Invitrogen
- Mobile Marine Lab
- Sea World
- Thermo-Fisher Scientific
- Ventura County Crime Lab
Graduate Schools
Our alumni have pursued advanced degrees at:
- Colorado State University
- Harvard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Loma Linda University
- Marshall University
- Mayo Medical Clinic
- Midwestern University
- Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine
- Tufts University
- University of California, Davis
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of Southern California
- Western School of Health Sciences
As a biology major I always try to advocate for black individuals, especially black women in healthcare. As of right now I'm currently working on research designed to collect data of young people of color and their mental health. Majoring in biology shouldn't just be focused on pipetting techniques or the breakdown of the Kreb cycle. Advocation and equality should be taught in all fields of science.
Rakaihya Thomas '23
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.
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of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months
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