
BS Biology
Visit the College of Arts and SciencesYou’ll need a strong foundation in biology to fight diseases in developing countries, perform breakthrough environmental research, or treat childhood illnesses as a pediatrician.
Quinnipiac is at a green campus alert level. Access full resources and testing dashboard
You’ll need a strong foundation in biology to fight diseases in developing countries, perform breakthrough environmental research, or treat childhood illnesses as a pediatrician.
Yesha Patel '20 examines microscope slides in the Buckman Center biology lab on the Mount Carmel Campus.
A degree in biology unlocks the door to many opportunities in the medical and scientific world. From the molecular level to the big picture of entire ecosystems, we’ll give you the knowledge to pursue a career in public health, dentistry, veterinary medicine, wildlife preservation, or the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
While building a foundation in the life sciences and physical sciences, you’ll also have the flexibility to focus on your specific passion, whether it’s genetics, physiology, ecology or another related area. If medicine is your interest, then our pre-med concentration will ensure that you’re well-prepared to attend medical school after graduation. Well-equipped lab facilities and experiential learning opportunities, including the Quinnipiac Interdisciplinary Program for Research and Scholarship (QUIP-RS), give you a head start on your career by enabling you to apply theory in practical settings.
Our biology majors have the freedom to create experiential learning projects that reflect their passions. Recent projects include research, either at Quinnipiac or at sites as distant as New Zealand; participation in service trips to Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic; working at zoos and national parks; and shadowing medical and dental professionals.
Our Class of 2019 graduates were either employed or enrolled in a graduate program six months after graduation.
Percentage of our students who complete research projects or formal internships. (D. Clark, Experiential Learning Data, 2014-2020)
Percentage of our students who volunteer in service-related projects in health care, the environment or education, both domestically and internationally. (D. Clark, Experiential Learning Data, 2014-2020)
Quinnipiac University is considered one of the best in the country for its general biology bachelor degree program according to College Factual's recent rankings.
Sarah Marek ’19
Every time Sarah Marek ‘19 takes a pulse or takes a moment to comfort a patient, she moves a step closer to enrolling in a physician assistant program.
As a patient care associate at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Marek is working hard to log the 500 to 2,000 paid clinical hours typically required before someone can apply for a PA program.
Marek credits the development of her clinical skills — and bedside manner — to her time at Quinnipiac. They helped her secure her position at Brigham and Women’s, where she continues to develop those techniques every day.
“My experiences allowed me to practice the skills I hope to master as a health care professional in different ways,” she said.
As a double major in biology and chemistry, Marek was a regular in the lab and took advantage of multiple research opportunities. Chief among these was the eight-week QUIP-RS program, where she worked alongside biology professor Courtney McGinnis assessing the health of two Connecticut rivers and the effects of contaminated water on fish.
“Overcoming an obstacle in the lab can be like figuring out why a patient is having a poor response to a treatment,” Marek explained.
Marek likens working with concerned patients to helping overwhelmed students grasp difficult subject matter. She helped her classmates as an organic chemistry peer fellow and later as a peer facilitator for QSTEP, a program designed to enhance retention for students in STEM fields.
She also taught science to elementary school students in Leon, Nicaragua, during a STEM/Global Solidarity trip in 2017.
“I enjoy working with people on an intimate level, and I definitely feel prepared for my next steps,” Marek said.
Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the application process.