Whether you’re interested in research, education, medicine, dentistry, or ecology, a biology degree can be the foundation for a successful career. One of PUC’s most popular programs, biology is also one of our most academically rigorous. The result? PUC biology seniors consistently score in the top percentile on Major Field Tests (MFTs), with high acceptance rates to many prestigious graduate schools.

Programs offered:

• B.A., B.S. in Biology
• B.S. in Biotechnology
• B.S. in Environmental Studies

A Student’s Perspective

“I was convinced to change majors from biochemistry to biology at the end of my freshman year after I realized how many classes from the department of biology would prepare me for medical school. As a biology major, I have the opportunity to take immunology, histology, and advanced human anatomy courses before I even attend medical school. Having a background with the material from these courses will prepare me well for the field of medicine. My favorite thing about the department of biology is all of the unique opportunities I receive. Learning biology can take place outside of a classroom. For instance, this spring break I am going to Kenya with my tropical biology class to do a mission trip while also taking time to learn biology. There are a lot of biology classes that involve going on hikes in nature or going to the beach to study marine science. I also love how elegant biology is. It can encompass something as small as a single protein in an organelle to something as large as rainforest ecosystems. It connects life from all levels of organization.” — Victoria Gabardi, sophomore, honors student

Fast Facts

1. The BIOneers Mentorship Program is a new initiative to help first-year biology students at PUC successfully navigate their major and their time in college. Incoming students will be paired with passionate and friendly upperclassmen within their specific field of study, who will help guide them throughout their first year.
2. Biology students take many courses which take them outside the classroom. The department teaches classes at the college’s Albion Retreat & Learning Center on the Mendocino Coast and has traveled as far as Brazil for tropical biology courses.
3. Modern laboratory equipment allows students to perform their own experiments in current fields such as immunology, molecular genetics, and cancer biology.
4. The Hansen Collection, housed in Clark Hall, is a special collection of over 40 species of stuffed game animals from around the world. Visitors can view Kodiak and polar bears, as well as a leopard, tiger, mountain lion, and jaguar. The museum also boasts a prized “grand slam” of the four North American mountain sheep: the Rocky Mountain bighorn, the desert bighorn, the Dall sheep, and the stone sheep.

What You Can Do With This Major

Biology is a popular choice among students looking to go into the medical field but it also offers career paths in research, environmental studies, and many other areas.

• Dentistry
• Environmental policy
• Medicine
• Optometry
• Pharmacy
• Physical therapy
• Public health
• Teaching
• Veterinary science
• Water management
• Wildlife management

Learn more about the department of biology at puc.edu/academics. Our team of admissions counselors can answer any questions you have about PUC’s biology programs, or the other majors the college offers. Call (800) 862-7080, option 2 or email admissions@puc.edu to get connected with a counselor now and start learning about all the options available to you!