If you love to learn about living things and how they relate, studying biology might be the right fit for you.

A biology major gives you an in-depth understanding of the natural world. It also helps you learn how to conduct research, problem solve, organize, and think critically.  

You’ll find that graduating with a biology degree opens the door to many exciting job opportunities. Whether you’re interested in working with the environment, agriculture, wildlife, botany, laboratory services, or other science-related career, you’ll find you’ll have many options to pursue within the discipline.

Why Study Biology at Luther?

The foundation of Luther’s biology major is its rigorous academic program. The discipline ranges from studying the structure of biomolecules to the interactions of species with their environment. It also offers a customizable curriculum, which can help students get into professional and graduate programs or the job market. And because there’s significant overlap in the preparation for any of these options, Luther students enjoy considerable flexibility in their curricular choices.

Luther’s strong biology program is led by dynamic educators who are active members of scientific community and leaders in scientific field. The faculty has experience over a broad range of subdisciplines which helps students study biology from many perspectives. Biology faculty also serve as academic advisors and thus work closely with students on their curricular choices—including social sciences and humanities along with natural sciences—to prepare them for their career choice.

Luther’s biology department provides state-of-the-art facilities and natural areas. The Sampson Hoffland Laboratories and Valders Hall of Science have teaching labs which connect to research areas for collaborative faculty-student research, faculty offices, and ample student study space.

Luther’s natural areas are a also critical component of students’ education in biology. Because of their easy accessibility, many of the natural areas are used by hundreds of students each year for field “labs.” The diversity of habitats and ongoing restoration projects provides many opportunities for student research projects.

The biology department also offers excellent internship opportunities that take place for a semester or during January Term. These internships are work-oriented and observational rather than academic and give students a first-hand look at a profession.

Luther’s biology program provides numerous opportunities to study abroad so that students can broaden their educational experience. They can choose to study abroad during January Term, during the summer, or for a semester.

Due to the vast range of biology specialties, there are many advanced degree programs available. Each year, many who graduate with a Luther biology degree apply and are accepted into graduate or professional schools.