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What Can You Do With a Biology Degree?

Biology is the study of living organisms, from cells to ecosystems. A bachelor’s degree in biology can lead to careers in healthcare, laboratory research, environmental and conservation work, education, and biotechnology, and it is also a common starting point for graduate or professional school.

Career Paths that Make an Impact

Consider researching diseases, developing new medicine, restoring coral reefs, or protecting endangered species around the world. A biology degree can lead to potential career paths that help humanity, animals, and our environment. Studying biology is a flexible choice that leads to many transferable skills, allowing students to pursue a variety of careers and graduate programs.

Take biology classes related to molecular biology, organic chemistry, ecology, genetics, and climate change. Willamette's core courses will help you explore the breadth of biology. However, our biology program prioritizes hands-on experience, through the lab and the field. Our program in the Pacific Northwest provides opportunities to conduct meaningful research and learn about a wide range of life.

What is a Biology Major?

A biology major is an academic program that focuses on living organisms. You'll study microscopic cells, DNA, plants, animals, humans, and entire ecosystems to learn how living organisms function, grow, adapt, and interact. A biology degree includes hands-on lab work, field research, data analysis, and ideas from other STEM majors. Students will use concepts in chemistry, math, and even data science to grow their understanding of biology.

Because a biology major covers a wide range of topics, it's a strong foundation for careers in healthcare, research, environmental science, education, public health, biotechnology, and law. It's a popular major for students interested in graduate or professional school due to its hands-on learning and transferable skills.

A student with binoculars pointing and looing up

What Skills Do You Learn?

Biology majors gain some of the most valuable skills that stand out on a resume.

  • Critical thinking and problem solving. Learn to analyze complex data and lab results.
  • Laboratory techniques and safety. Gain hands-on skills in the lab, learning how to use equipment, conduct safe experiments, and minimize errors.
  • Communication: Learn to clearly explain scientific ideas through writing lab reports, presenting research, or sharing discoveries.
  • Collaboration and teamwork. Work closely with peers to design experiments and collect field data.
  • Initiative and independent work. Plan and carry out individual research projects, developing the ability to work independently and take ownership of projects.
  • Project and time management. Through long-term experiments, lab work, lectures, and field trips, learn how to keep projects on track.
  • Research methods and data analysis. Design, collect, interpret, and evaluate data from experiments, surveys, or studies.
  • Curiosity: Explore questions ranging from how microbes interact to why species go extinct, learning to ask thoughtful, innovative questions.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Biology Degree?

A biology degree is an extremely versatile path. Students can consider working in education, research, non-profits, and healthcare organizations. BLS data show that healthcare is a major destination for people with biology degrees. In fact, one of the top-employing occupations for biology degree holders is physicians. Other common paths also include scientists, teachers, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists.

  • Education

    Teach, inform, and inspire others about biology through a variety of settings.

    2024 Median Salary Range: $83,980 to $91,670

*Many of these career paths require additional degrees. Speak with an advisor for additional information on how to qualify for a specific job. Median pay ranges are based on 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Is Biology a Hard Major?

Biology can be challenging because it combines memorization with quantitative problem solving and time-intensive labs. With strong study strategies, additional support from peers and professors, and a general sense of curiosity, many students excel in biology.

Two students with blue gloves completing lab work

Is Biology a Good Major?

Do you enjoy nature, humans, and animals? Do you enjoy solving complicated problems or researching topics that can impact society? Are you interested in medical school or a graduate program? If you answered yes to any of those questions, a biology degree could be perfect for you.

A biology major is a great choice for those interested in life sciences. A bachelor's degree in biology leads to skills that are extremely transferable, allowing students to pursue a variety of job functions, career paths, and work environments.

Two hands from a student in gloves holding up soil

Is a Biology Degree Worth It?

Absolutely! Depending on your career goals and academic interests, a biology degree helps students develop valuable and versatile skills. According to the BLS, the median wage for students with a biology degree is $75,000, which is higher than the median wage for all degree holders. However, some popular career paths such as physicians, have incredibly high salary ranges (with median salaries over $200,000).

Biology also leads to diverse careers and strong skills that employers value. Students can also help people through public health advocacy work, scientific research, and medical knowledge. Improve conditions for wildlife, advise policies that impact the environment, or treat animals. A biology degree can reward students from a financial and emotional perspective.

A student working with a cat in a veterinary clinic

Should I Choose a BA or a BS in Biology?

It depends on your career goals and interests. At Willamette, students can earn either a BA or a BS degree in biology. A BS (Bachelor of Science) is a science-focused program, while a BA (Bachelor of Arts) includes humanities courses.

If your goal is to pursue medical school or science, then a BS might help you achieve the coursework you need for future requirements. A BA is a great choice for those interested in applying their science background to industries like education, law, policy, and business. Speak to an advisor for specific advice tailored to your goals and career path.

A professor talking to a group of students outside on a bridge over a stream

What Can You Do with a Biology Degree Besides Medical School?

A biology degree is a strong foundation for diverse careers outside of medical school. Consider careers in research, biotech, environmental science, public health, policy, education, and science communication. Its real power is versatility, pairing scientific literacy with data analysis, problem solving, and real world application.

A student using a new microscope at Willamette

Consider Graduate Degree Programs

Biology is a great major for those interested in advanced degrees. Many choose to pursue medical school, but some students pursue additional degrees in law, public health, education, and genetic counseling. Willamette biology students have pursued opportunities at institutions such as:

  • Arizona State University
  • Boise State University
  • Cornell University
  • Johns Hopkins
  • Michigan State University
  • Oregon Health And Sciences University
  • Oregon State University
  • Penn State College of Medicine
  • University of California, Davis
  • University of Oregon
  • University of Texas
  • University of Washington
  • Washington State University

Real-World Experiences at Willamette

Tangible experience is extremely valuable in any career tied to biology. Students can leverage internships and biological research opportunities in their graduate school applications or career search.

Willamette students have gained experience and worked with employers such as:

Internships

  • Larimer County Conservation Corps
  • Michigan State University
  • Oregon Coast Aquarium
  • Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Oregon Health and Sciences University
  • OMSI
  • Oregon Zoo
  • Salem Emergency Vet Clinic
  • Salem Health
  • Sierra Club
  • Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
  • Tricol Biomedical, Inc.

Employers

  • Boston Children's Hospital
  • Charles River Laboratories
  • City of Portland
  • Cyn3rgy Research
  • Fred Hutch Cancer Center
  • Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest
  • Kuakini Medical Center
  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Park Service
  • Oregon Research Institute
  • Salem Health
  • St. Jude’s Research Hospital
“Working in the Smith lab was an amazing experience because I had the opportunity to do both lab and field work, but also because we were helping pave the way for future research in Joshua tree mycorrhizal fungi.”
Ajia Buvit ’26

Why Choose Willamette for Biology?

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