• <a href="/live/image/gid/61/width/650/86393_Biology_new_template.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image86393"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/61/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86393_Biology_new_template.rev.1607363079.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/61/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86393_Biology_new_template.rev.1607363079.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/61/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86393_Biology_new_template.rev.1607363079.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/61/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86393_Biology_new_template.rev.1607363079.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/61/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86393_Biology_new_template.rev.1607363079.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/61/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86393_Biology_new_template.rev.1607363079.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/61/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86393_Biology_new_template.rev.1607363079.jpg" alt="Associate Professor of Biology Norma Velazquez-Ulloa looks over a research sample with Asia Wooten BA '20." width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/61/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86393_Biology_new_template.rev.1607363079.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/61/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86393_Biology_new_template.rev.1607363079.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="3067" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Associate Professor of Biology Norma Velazquez-Ulloa looks over a research sample with Asia Wooten BA ’20.</div>

Why Choose a Degree in Biology?

Our innovative and comprehensive program emphasizes original research and critical thinking. You will generate hypotheses, design studies, collect data in the lab and the field, analyze and interpret the results, and communicate your findings through talks, posters, and papers. Our classrooms and labs rely on cutting-edge tools in microscopy, physiology, computational biology, and molecular biology. We also offer robust opportunities for experiential learning through fieldwork, internships, and paid student-faculty research. Our students graduate with a degree in biology and excellent career preparation skills, knowing how to write grants, read scientific literature critically, reason quantitatively, and work in teams.

What You’ll Study

Our curriculum embraces all of biology, from molecules to ecosystems, and draws on other fields, like chemistry, mathematics, and psychology. We believe in working closely with our students both in the classroom and our laboratories, providing opportunities rarely available to undergraduates.

Many of our students—unlike students at other schools—earn course credit toward their biology degree while on an overseas program. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, there are programs designed and led by biology faculty to Australia, East Africa, and New Zealand.

Outside the classroom, many biology students get involved in research, by either collaborating with one of their professors or pursuing their own investigations off-campus. We provide extensive guidance to help students find and secure these opportunities. Each fall, students present their work to the campus community at a poster conference. We have a seminar series that regularly brings biologists to campus to speak about new areas of research. Our natural history collection—curated by students—includes specimens of plants, fungi, insects, birds, and mammals from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Curriculum

Complement Your Education With One of These Minors

The most popular minors for our biology majors are environmental studies, health studies, and neuroscience.


What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark

  • I enjoy understanding how the world works from the basics of cell biology to bigger environmental patterns. I aim to be more informed when I go out into the world and explore with intention and awareness.

    Gen Coutant BA ’25
    Biology | Hispanic Studies | Queensbury, New York
    More about Gen
  • College Outdoors has been extremely empowering and important for who I am becoming.

    Makayla Simmer BA ’21
    Biology and Environmental Studies (double) | Haiku, Hawai‘i
    More about Makayla
  • I have always loved everything about science and have enjoyed delving deeper into biology. I especially enjoy marine biology and behavioral ecology, and love having hands-on labs outside of the classroom.

    Lilah Shapiro BA ’25
    Biology | Earth System Science | Pahoa, Hawai‘i
    More about Lilah

What Can You Do With a Degree in Biology?

Our alumni use their BA in biology in a wide variety of careers, including research, medicine, public health, natural resource management, teaching, and law. They work in academia, in industry, with nonprofits, and for local, state, and federal governments. Many of them apply the skills they have acquired in problem solving, critical thinking, writing, and speaking to fields other than biology.

Dedicated Faculty

Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.

Biology faculty rely on their students to be collaborative researchers in the lab, providing an opportunity that’s rarely available to undergraduates at other schools. Students are frequent coauthors on peer-reviewed faculty publications and professional presentations.

Meet the Professors

Invest in Yourself

A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate in four years with their bachelor of arts degree that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.

The Kent Swanson Jr. Biology Scholarship benefits junior and senior students majoring in biology who have demonstrated financial need and interest in the outdoors, environmental conservation, and the arts.

Find Your People

Students can join a variety of student-run organizations that relate to their biology major, like Math Club, Physics Club, and Pre-Health Club. Don’t see what you’re looking for on the club list? Start something new and build your own community of peers!


Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You

  • L&C taught me how to critically assess and synthesize information from diverse sources and to apply my understanding to new situations. This initiated my development as a scientist and prepared me for graduate science courses.

    RuthMabel Boytz BA ’20
    Biology | Mathematics | Seattle, Washington
    More about RuthMabel
  • Besides the actual information I learned in class, I learned how to interact with people in my field and how to adapt to change.

    Haley Perry BA ’18
    Biology and Psychology (double) | Denver, Colorado
    More about Haley
  • Lewis & Clark prepared me by helping me with my critical-thinking skills. All of the jobs I have had post graduation were easier and more enjoyable due to this skill. I have always had an innate sense of curiosity, but L&C really helped me hone it.

    William Witmer BA ’20
    Biology | Phoenix, Arizona
    More about William

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