Biology Major
TWO MAJORS: Biological Sciences (biology), Biology for the ProfessionsThe biology major lives at the leading edge of science, using the latest technology to explore molecular medicine, ecology and the environment, genetic regulation of plant and animal development, microbial physiology and cell dynamics and motility.
THE MARQUETTE Biology Major
DO SOMETHING RARE. All Marquette biological sciences majors take at least three courses taught entirely in the lab by a professor, not teaching assistants — an opportunity few national research universities provide their undergraduate biology majors.
Where biology majors have interned
- Urban Ecology Center
- Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens
- Metropolitian Milwaukee Sewage District
- Great Lakes Water Institute
- Milwaukee Public Museum
- Discovery World
CONDUCT INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. As an undergraduate biology major, you'll have the opportunity to work in a research lab — on your own projects — under the guidance of your faculty mentor. And you can also present your findings at regional or national conferences.
TAILOR ELECTIVES TO YOUR GOALS. One of the strengths of the biological sciences major is its flexibility. Concentrate on the body by taking courses from molecular biology to system physiology, or take a different approach by studying ecology, plant biology and microbiology.
BIOLOGY FOR THE PROFESSIONS. This second major is for students in the College of Education who want to teach high school biology. It's designed for middle and secondary school teaching.
HOW WILL YOU SPEND YOUR SUMMER VACATION? How about working in a real biology lab? Marquette offers a 10-week summer program where you can do exciting research — in areas such as microbiology, developmental biology, cell biology, molecular biology, plant biology, neurobiology and vertebrate physiology — and get paid for it.
You might like the biology major if you:
- Want to find out how and why living systems work
- Like biology
- Are strong in science and math
- Enjoy lab work
What can you do with a major in biology?
The biology major is excellent preparation for a variety of careers as well as professional schools and graduate schools. Learn more about what you can do with a major in biology.
Visit the department that offers the biology major. Other majors offered by the Department of Biological Sciences include the biochemistry and molecular biology major and the physiological sciences major.
Please expand to view suggested curriculum
Suggested curriculum for a Biology Major
Your major courses blue.
Freshman
- General Biology I & II
- Calculus
- Rhetoric and Composition I & II
- Individual and Social Behavior Elective
- Foreign Language I & II
- General Chemistry I & II
Sophomore
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Biological Sciences Lab Course
- Growth of Western Civilization I or II
- Introduction to Theology
- Literature Elective
- Philosophy of Human Nature
- Organic Chemistry I & II
- Literature Elective
- Math or Computer Science Elective
Junior
- Biological Sciences Lab Course
Two Biological Sciences Electives - Diverse Cultures Elective
- Theory of Ethics
- General Physics I & II or General Physics with Calculus I & II
- Growth of Western Civ. I or II or Social-behavioral Science Elective
- Electives
Senior
- Biological Sciences Lab Course
- Three Biological Sciences Electives
- Theology Electives
- Philosophy Elective
- Electives














