The Department of Biology is designed for students with an interest in one or several of the many aspects of the life sciences. The programs provide excellent preparation for postgraduate education and careers in biomedicine, health and secondary education, as well as other fields that require an understanding and practice of scientific reasoning and methods.
Is Your Education on Track?
Recommendations for Biology (BIO) Majors
YEAR 1: EXPLORATION
Evaluate your interests and strengths; engage with clubs, participate in a service project, plan a study-abroad experience, discover independent research.
- APPLY to be an apprentice in a faculty mentor’s laboratory (and get paid)
- LEARN what it takes to be a successful COLLEGE student
- MEET your Peer Mentor
- THINK carefully about your values and your future goals
- VISIT the Community Service website. How can you get involved?
- ATTEND a Major/Minor Fair
- ATTEND Club Craze
- ATTEND Study Abroad Fair
- TAKE a Career Interest Survey
- ATTEND Scholar’s Day
- EARN good grades and use the Tutoring Services
- MEET with each of your Professors at least once during office hours
YEAR 2: DIRECTION
Develop a targeted approach to your academic path so that you adequately prepare yourself for your future.
- ATTEND Career Events
- VISIT the Career Services website. Use the online Tools.
- IDENTIFY and connect with working professionals that you could shadow
- OBTAIN a part-time job related to your career interests on or off campus
- JOIN the Leadership Development Program
- IDENTIFY a faculty mentor for an independent research project, or honors thesis project
- RESEARCH graduate schools that interest you and meet with your advisor to build a path that will be inclusive of admission requirements
- CHECK in with your Academic Advisor for guidance
YEAR 3: CREDENTIALS
Build a Professional Profile with a combination of in-class and out-of-class experiences.
- PREPARE for standardized tests
- SCHEDULE standardized tests (MCAT, PCAT, DAT, GRE)
- CONDUCT an independent research experience or participate in an internship
- CHOOSE upper-level electives that will inform your career path
- IDENTIFY faculty members who would write you a good letter of recommendation
- DRAFT a personal statement
YEAR 4: TARGETING
Plan for the future.
- REVISE personal statements.
- CONTINUE independent research project. Is a publication possible?
- COMPLETE applications to graduate programs
- DRAFT a resume’ and visit Career Services for guidance and revisions
- PRESENT research project at Scholar’s Day, NCUR, or other professional forum
- SCHEDULE a mock interview
- UPDATE, scrub and align all of your social media accounts
- BUILD a LinkedIn profile