Bachelor in Biologie

Biology is the study of all life forms. Northwest faculty focus on preparing students for careers in all areas including botany, cell biology, ecology, environmental science, molecular biology, microbiology, and zoology. Upon completion of core courses, students choose an area in which to specialize based on interests.

The comprehensive major in biology emphasizing in general biology is the most flexible track as it provides students the opportunity to take courses in zoology, botany, ecology, physiology, microbiology, molecular and cell biology and environmental science to align their interests seek admission to graduate school.

The comprehensive major in biology with a general biology track does not require a minor.

Career Opportunities

*More than 98 percent of students who graduate with a degree in biology obtain employment or continue their education within six months after graduation. Jobs related to this major include:

• College Instructor
• Conservation Agent
• Field Environmentalist
• Laboratory Technologist
• Horticulturist
• Research Technician
• Quality Control
• State Biologist
• Government Biologist
• Wildlife Biologist

*Based on self-reported data.

Profession-Based Learning Experiences

The award-winning Dean L. Hubbard Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship features labs with more than $3 million in state-of-the-art instruments and technology that undergraduate students may access to gain hands-on experience.

Professors at Northwest are committed to providing students with profession-based learning experiences. Some examples are:

Squaw Creek is located in Mound City and is a location designated for bird and wildlife breeding.

Students gain experience on campus with a synthetic cadaver in human anatomy courses. Undergraduate research experiences provide opportunities for students to develop as working scientists.

Garrett-Strong Science Building offers 26 labs where students gain profession-based experience on campus. The building is the home to the synthetic cadaver, aquarium, two museums and living animals that include a hedgehog, rats, iguanas and others kept in labs.

Faculty-led research is an opportunity for undergraduate students to produce original research with the goal of publishing their work. This is available for students showing interest in furthering their education.

Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area (M.O.E.R.A.) features more than 320 acres of land dedicated to providing experiential learning opportunities. Students taking wildlife ecology and conservation courses construct Sherman traps for small animals, pitfall traps for reptiles and amphibians and conduct vegetation surveys.

Internships

Although internships are not required with the biology major, they are highly encouraged to gain real-world experiences.

Study Abroad

Study abroad is an opportunity for students to apply hands-on international experience to their own academic development. Faculty members supervise short-term study abroad programs that prepare students before, during and after the program. Two types of study abroad programs are available – faculty-led and traditional study abroad.

The traditional program may be a semester, summer or year-long program and is taught by Northwest’s international partner institutions.

Students from the natural sciences department have recently traveled and studied in Hawaii.

Requirements

50-51 hours

The Northwest Core (48-52 hours)

Required Collateral Courses

Required Courses

Electives (7)

Minor Requirements and Free Electives (25-26)

Established in 1905, Northwest Missouri State University is a state-assisted, comprehensive four-year regional university that also offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus as well as its Northwest-Kansas City location at the Northland Innovation Center and through Northwest Online.

Northwest offers 127 undergraduate programs and 40 graduate programs. Career Services offers an "Exploring Majors" fair where students may learn about different majors and find a major that is the perfect fit for them. Northwest advocates for profession-based experience in every area of study. At Northwest's Horace Mann Laboratory School, students majoring in education begin observing and practicing in the teaching profession immediately. Other profession-based experiences include work at Northwest's R.T. Wright Farm, radio and television stations, and a variety of internships.