Bachelor of Science in Biology

What is Biology?

Biology is the study of life itself. As a biology major at South Dakota Mines, you will study the very basic blocks of life: how organisms come to exist, how they are built, how they grow and function, and what they do.

What does a biologist do?

Biologists study the relationship between life and the environment surrounding it as well as study adaptability, pollution change, famine, ecological change, and more.

Biology undergraduates will focus on one of several areas of specialization, including biomedical engineering, pre-health professions, biomedical or cancer research, molecular genetics, biotechnology, or environmental sciences.

The interdisciplinary specialization allowed by this program positions students well for careers and graduate programs in medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical engineering and technology, biotechnology, bioprocessing, molecular biology, clean energy research, and patent law. The biology program also prepares graduates for work in research.

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology was founded in 1885 to provide instruction in the region’s primary industry, which was mining. And now it includes so much more.

Over the years, South Dakota Mines evolved into a leading science and engineering university and is committed to excellence in science and engineering academics and research. We are working to develop the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers through STEM bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees. We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and all undergraduate engineering programs are also accredited through ABET.

We offer a rigorous academic experience at a reasonable cost, with small class sizes, dedicated faculty, cutting-edge research, and many student programs and organizations. By the time they graduate, 75-80% of our students have had hands-on, real-world experiences through internships, cooperative education, or research projects. Our graduate and undergraduate students have research opportunities in areas such as energy and environmental systems, underground science and engineering, and materials and manufacturing. A few research examples include energy storage, cold spray technology, biomedical applications, and even disrupting criminal networks.

You are always welcome to visit our beautiful campus, but in case you can’t make it in person, we offer a virtual tour on our website. We are nestled in the eastern slope of the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Whether you prefer exploring the city or pursuing outdoor adventures, Rapid City and the Black Hills offer many options for you.

South Dakota Mines has been named one of the best engineering schools in the country for return on investment by College Factual for several years. In addition to rankings, there are many reasons to attend South Dakota Mines – great location, maximum value, personal attention and so much more.