Study the science of life at Wells' scenic lakeside campus amid the wild natural areas of Aurora, New York. Hike through the surrounding woods for botany or dissect specimens for zoology. Voyage on Cayuga Lake on the interactive Floating Classroom. And work closely with top professors who are not only exceptional researchers in diverse fields of biology, but dedicated mentors who provide the encouragement to create your own projects and discover new interests. The Biology major at Wells College leads to a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree and is offered as a minor as well.
Biology majors specialize in courses in genetics, ecology, or anatomy and physiology, as well as molecular and cellular biology and ecological and behavioral biology. This strong foundation in biology is complemented by related courses in mathematics and chemistry.
At Wells, you’ll find the educational opportunities of a large university with the personal guidance and one-to-one attention that only a small college can offer. Our interdisciplinary liberal arts program gives you the freedom to find something you like and pursue it, so that the questions you're interested in will help guide your undergraduate experience. Wells biology majors frequently bring in ideas that they find fascinating—whether the topic is invasive species on campus, patterns of evolution and reproduction in large organisms, or the ways that your body's proteins code for different attributes through the DNA.
Our biology professors design laboratories that are based on real-world practices and problems. You’ll also get to design your own Senior Capstone Project, with the guidance of faculty who help you plan a project to best prepare you for your career after completing your bachelor’s degree.
A weekly Science Colloquium Series brings professional guest speakers to campus to present their cutting-edge work in biology and other sciences. The Center for Sustainability and the Environment also helps you to ground your scientific study in important research through internships and conversations with a variety of visiting scholars as you pursue your bachelor’s degree.
At Wells you’ll find numerous real-world learning opportunities, including internships, a Summer Faculty Research program, and study abroad programs that allow you to take your study of biology around the world. Our partnership with the Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom Project allows biology majors to spend time on the water, doing hands-on marine biology work. Academic conferences provide an additional place to present original research and learn about current areas of research in biology and related sciences.
These are just a few of the places where Wells biology majors and other science program students recently held internships:
Interested in taking your undergraduate biology studies overseas? Learn more about study abroad programs at Wells.
If you’re interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology, you might also consider one of our other related science programs:
Recent graduates of our Biology bachelor’s degree program are now working as dietitians, veterinarians, marine biologists, research or physicians assistants, and a variety of other professional roles. Other Wells biology majors have gone on to further their educations in graduate school programs such as Harvard Medical School, Cornell University, Georgetown University, the University of Tennessee, Stony Brook University, SUNY Binghamton and Buffalo, and many other top colleges and universities.
Christina Schmidt, Assistant Professor of Biology, presented her research, "Measurements of oxidative stress vary with tissue type and reproductive status in Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis)" at Evolution 2016, a joint meeting of the Society for the Study of Evolution, the American Society of Naturalists, and the Society of Systematic Biologists.
Jackie Schnurr, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, published an article, "Linkages among canopy tree neighbourhoods, small mammal herbivores and herbaceous communities in temperate forests," in the Journal of Vegetation Science.
Take the first step toward earning your bachelor’s degree in Biology at Wells College. Apply now.
Ready to learn more about Wells College and our Biology Bachelor of Arts program? Request more information.
