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Explore the wonders of the living world — from Anatomy to Zoology.
Studying the science of life itself means exploring a world of possibility. Whether you want to go into any of the health professions, research, industry, business, agencies, teaching, or virtually any career that requires you to solve problems, a bachelor’s degree in biology is a great place to start. Studying biology at William Woods University means working directly with a faculty member on real, applicable and life-changing research. In addition to immersive knowledge in biological sciences, students acquire hands-on, practical experience in laboratory and field settings.
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts Options in Biology
Our Bachelor of Science in Biology is intended for students with health profession goals. We offer pre-veterinary and pre-medicine concentrations for students interested in pursuing advanced professional degrees, including veterinary, human medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and other allied health fields. William Woods University has experienced a high percent acceptance rate for students who have applied for advanced professional degrees in veterinary medicine, medical school, pharmacy and physical therapy doctoral programs.
Our Bachelor of Arts in Biology is for students interested in other areas of Biology that might lead to a career in research or an applied field; the B.A. degree is more flexible and can be tailored to your specific interests.
Special opportunities
- Take our Tropical Ecology field course in Central America
- Work collaboratively with our staff Veterinarian at the Center for Equine Medicine — explore diagnostics, treatment, therapies, and learn from real case-studies happening right on campus
- Take advantage of access to immersive research experiences in and out of class
- Present at conferences and publish work with faculty
- Learn from enthusiastic faculty, who have a diverse range of biological interests, yet the same passion to teach and to help their students learn both inside and outside the classroom
- Get involved in a number of biology organizations such as Beta Beta Beta, the biology honors society, Biology Club, Pre-Medicine Club or Pre-Veterinary Club
The world awaits.
Our alumni have found careers in:
- Medicine
- Veterinary medicine
- Pharmacy
- Medical Equipment sales
- Scientific research
- Teaching
- Business
Employers
- ABC Laboratories
- Cerner Corporation
- St. Louis University faculty
- Various group practices and hospitals
- Various school districts
- Regulatory agencies
“I absolutely love the biology program here. The professors are amazing and all the courses are enriching.”
— Claire McDonald ’21
“I love the Biology program! Classes are challenging, professors are amazing and very personable, and they help you grow into the person you need to be to graduate and move on successfully. I feel very prepared for Physician Assistant grad school.”
— Kate Doerhoff ’21
Courses you may take
Bachelor of Arts Curriculum:
The Bachelor of Arts in Biology degree at William Woods University consists of 122 distinct credit hours for graduation—including 28 core major credits and 22 required elective credits.
Bachelor of Science Curriculum:
The Bachelor of Science in Biology degree at William Woods University consists of 122 distinct credit hours for graduation—including 36 core major credits, 4 required field course credits, 16-29 concentration credits, and 11 upper level electives.
Major Requirements
Core Credits: 28.00
| This course will introduce the broad underpinnings of biological science with a focus on the subcellular level. Students will be expected to describe fundamental molecular topics – such as water, DNA, and shape – and begin integrating them in the context of overarching principles such as scientific method, biological systems, and evolution. This course is geared toward science majors and pre-health professions students. Concurrent enrollment in BIO115 required. credits: | Biology I for Majors -N | 4 |
| The purpose of this lab is to offer a hands-on investigative experience with some of the content addressed in BIO 114. Topics include measurement and microscopy, structure and function of the cell, the fundamental chemistry of life, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, Mendelian genetics, and an introduction to molecular biology. Experimental design, use of scientific equipment, and critical thinking are emphasized, culminating in the execution and analysis of a student-designed experiment during the second half of the course. Concurrent enrollment in BIO 114 required. credits: | Biology I Lab for Majors | 0 |
| Students conduct laboratory exercises selected to reinforce and augment the biology lecture course that students earned credit for at a previous institution. Experiments illustrate basic life principles and structures. Available only to students with posted transfer credit for BIO114 at time of enrollment. (Lab fee) credits: | Gen Bio I Lab for Transfer students | 1 |
| A continuation of the introductory sequence in biology, emphasizing the diversity of life as illustrated by organisms in the five major divisions of life forms. Anatomical, morphological, and life cycle characteristics of the various phyla and classes are introduced, and evolutionary and functional relationships stressed. Concurrent enrollment is BIO 125 required. credits: | Biology II for Majors | 4 |
| This laboratory primarily surveys the organisms of the major divisions of life forms, and visually demonstrates the changes in complexity of their form and structure as evolutionary processes have shaped organisms through geological time. Concurrent enrollment in BIO 124 required. Required Lab fee credits: | Biology II Lab for Majors | 0 |
| This course will emphasize current developments and techniques in the study of inheritance including extensions and applications of transmission, population, and molecular genetics. Laboratory experiences will include Mendelian crosses of model organisms, computer simulations via software and Internet of traditional and population genetics, and an introduction to cell-molecular genetics techniques including micropipetting, sterile bacterial culture, and visualization and mapping of DNA via gel electrophoresis. Thought processes and problem solving will be emphasized. Concurrent enrollment in BIO 232 required. Prerequisites: BIO114/115 and BIO124/125 (*MAT 118 should be completed prior to or concurrent enrollment with BIO231/232) credits: | Genetics | 4 |
| Laboratory experiences will include Mendelian crosses of model organisms, computer simulations via software and Internet of traditional and population genetics, and an introduction to molecular genetics techniques including micropipetting, sterile bacterial culture, and visualization and mapping of DNA via gel electrophoresis. Concurrent enrollment in BIO 231 required. Required Lab fee credits: | Genetics Lab | 0 |
| Biologists widely regard evolution as the single unifying conceptual theme in a n extremely diverse and multi-leveled discipline. This course will attempt to integrate the thematic highlights of other courses in biology while integrating current developments and issues in evolution. Prerequisites – BIO231/232 and Senior Standing credits: | Evolution | 3 |
| This portion of the Capstone experience will focus on preparation for the Senior Assessment and Senior Presentation, self-reflection on career choices and preparation for graduate program and/or career through: resume writing and critique, analysis of the job market and consideration of the perceived match between career plans and academic and personal strengths. Prerequisite – BIO major and srping of Junior year standing credits: | Biology Practicum | 1 |
| A study of the fundamental principles and theories of chemistry with emphasis on stoichiometry and atomic theory and bonding. Must be taken concurrently with CHM115. Prerequisite -MAT099 or Math ACT/SAT of 22/520 or higher credits: | General Chemistry I -N | 4 |
| Concurrent enrollment in CHM 114 required. Meets three hours per week. (Lab fee) credits: | General Chemistry I Lab | 0 |
| Includes laboratory exercises selected to reinforce and augment the chemistry lecture course that students earned credit for at a previous institution. Available only to students with posted transfer credit for CHM114 at time of enrollment. (lab fee) credits: | General Chemistry I Lab transfer st | 1 |
| A continuation of CHM 114 with emphasis on equilibrium, electrochemistry, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Prerequisites:CHM 114 and CHM 115 credits: | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| A laboratory study of principles of equilibrium and inorganic reactions directed toward the qualitative analysis of inorganic materials. Concurrent enrollment in CHM 124 required. (Lab fee) Prerequisites: CHM 114 and CHM 115 credits: | General Chemistry II Lab | 0 |
| A systematic study of the compounds of carbon with emphasis on the principles of synthesis, analysis, and reaction mechanisms of organic functional groups. Prerequisites: CHM 124 and CHM 125 credits: | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| A study of the techniques of synthesis and analysis of organic compounds. Concurrent enrollment in CHM 314 required. (Lab fee) credits: | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 0 |
| Students conduct laboratory exercises selected to reinforce and augment the chemistry lecture course that students earned credit for at a previous institution. Experiments illustrate fundamental organic chemistry lab techniques and demonstrate phenomena and theory described in lecture. Available only to students with posted transfer credit for CHM 314 at time of enrollment. (Lab fee) credits: | Organic Chemistry I Lab for Transfer Students | 1 |
Math Elective - 3 Credits
| An introduction to the concepts of limits, continuity, differentiation of elementary functions, definite and indefinite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem. Emphasis on use graphing calculators and the utility of mathematics as a problem solving tool. Extensive discussion of applications in natural science, social science, and business. Prerequisite: MAT 118 or MAT 120 credits: | Calculus I -Q | 5 |
| A study of statistics intended for biology majors, focusing on practical applications of the use of statistics in research. Technology will be used to aid in computations. The student need not have had any prior statistics to enroll in the course. This course will not meet the Common Studies requirements for mathematics. Prerequisite : MAT 118 or MAT 124 credits: | Biological Statistics | 3 |
Biology Elective - 21 Credits
credits: | Must complete at least 4 credits from the following options | 0 |
| This course examines the interaction of living organisms with each other and their environment. It presents a balanced introduction to ecology-plant, animal, theoretical and applied, physiological and behavioral and population and ecosystem. It combines the fields of natural history, forestry, agriculture, wildlife ecology and taxonomy. Concurrent enrollment in BIO331 required. Preresuisites – BIO124/125 credits: | Ecology | 4 |
| A field component will reinforce ecological concepts, enable discovery through the application of standard field techniques and employ the scientific method in the development of student reports on selected problems. Concurrent enrollment in BIO330 required. Prerequisite – BIO 124/125 Required Lab fee credits: | Ecology Lab | 0 |
| Vertebrate Zoology is an introduction to the various veterbrate classes: the jawless vertebrates, primitive and bony fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Evolution of the classes as well as structural and functional differences among them will be emphasized. Both worldwide and local members of representative orders will be discussed in terms of habitat and specializations. Concurrent enrollment in BIO334 required Prerequisite – BIO124/125 credits: | Vertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| Concurrent enrollment in BIO 333 required. Required Lab fee credits: | Vertebrate Zoology Lab | 0 |
credits: | Must complete at least 4 credits from the following options | 0 |
| Students in this course will explore human anatomy and physiology through the lens of modern scientific literature. Cellular physiology and the structure and function of the nervous, endocrine, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and special sensory systems will be addressed. Emphasis will be placed on learning the normal functions of these by accurately assessing pathologies in real clinical case scenarios. Students will synthesize their understanding of the integration of these systems through a composition in the style of a modern scientific review with concomitant seminar. Concurrent enrollment is BIO 314 required. Prerequisites – BIO114/115 and CHM114/115 (*BIO231/232 or EXS245/246 should be completed prior to or concurrent enrollment with BIO313/314) credits: | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| This course is the laboratory extension of BIO 313. Students will gain practical experience in tissue sample preparation for histological examination. The organ systems examined in BIO 313 will be observed via the dissection of preserved specimen. Students will also gain practice in modern clinical assessments of human organ systems by examining cases of their dysfunction/pathology. Concurrent enrollment in BIO 313 required. Required Lab Fee credits: | Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 0 |
| This course is a continued study of human biology from BIO 313. Students will investigate the structure and function of the endocrine, circulatory, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. The normal functions and integration of these systems will be explored in the context of their dysfunction through pathological case studies. This course takes a notably more cellular approach than BIO 313, and students will gain practice in assessing chemical physiological indicators, and researching the associated primary clinical literature. Concurrent enrollment in BIO 324 required. Prerequisites: BIO114/115 and CHM114/115 (*BIO231/232 should be completed prior to or concurrent enrollment with BIO323/324) credits: | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| This course is the laboratory extension of BIO 323. Students will gain practical experience in tissue sample preparation for histological examination. The organ system examined in BIO 323 will be observed via the dissection of preserved specimens; Students will also gain practice in modern clinical assessments of relevant physiological indicators, and draw functional physiology conclusions based upon the analysis of pathology case studies. When possible, these systems will be studied via observation and dissection of cadaver specimens, therefore students should prepare for this possibility. Concurrent enrollment in BIO 323 required. Required Lab Fee credits: | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 0 |
credits: | Any Upper Level BIO course not currently applied towards major requirements | 0 |
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