An Invitation to Excellence
Do you like to explore new areas, solve mysteries, and discover new ideas?
Do you like to understand how and why living things work, and to help your fellow humans?
Then a career in the biological sciences might be for you!
Biology at MU is an exciting and dynamic field with exceptional career opportunities. Share the thrill of discovery with our faculty as together we identify genes that control plant and animal development and improve disease resistance, unravel the mysteries of the wiring of the brain and define the ecological and evolutionary forces that govern our existence.
Excellent preparation for your future
 Through our degree program, you can prepare for graduate study, professional school or direct entry into the workplace.
Most biology majors continue their education in the best graduate schools or professional schools in the country. Many of our graduates are now physicians or have teaching and research careers at universities and colleges. Other graduates are managers in industry and specialists in biotechnology and environmental remediation and preservation. Still others have careers in scientific product/pharmaceutical sales, medical research, scientific journalism, wildlife conservation, environmental law, agriculture and elementary and secondary education.
Our undergraduates are extremely successful in pursing their many varied career goals. In a recent survey of MU biology graduates, 93% described themselves as being employed or studying in a science-related field.
Our graduates have been admitted to the top professional and graduate schools across the country including Harvard, Stanford, Cornell, Chicago, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Washington University, and the University of California.
 The best of both worlds: a large research university with a small college atmosphere
You don't have to choose. MU combines the very best qualities of a major research institution with all the advantages of a small intimate liberal arts college. MU's unique combination of Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs) and Learning Communities capture the best of the small college experience. One of the top universities in the nation based on quality of academic programs, scientific research, and teaching and student achievement, MU has received national awards for personalizing the undergraduate experience.
Outstanding and caring faculty
 You will study under outstanding scholars. The Division of Biological Sciences has more than 40 full time faculty teaching courses in their core areas of expertise while simultaneously conducting cutting-edge research. Over 70% of our faculty has won college, campus and national recognition for excellence and innovation in teaching, mentoring and research. Seven of our faculty members have received the prestigious Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence. See the Fall 2006 issue of The Innovator for a profile of Professor Bethany Stone (pdf); for a profile of Professor Robin Hurst-March see this Mizzou article (pdf).
A carefully crafted blend of coursework in science and the liberal arts
You will begin biology coursework in your first or second semester while simultaneously exploring the liberal arts. All biological sciences majors take three foundation courses in Biology: Introduction to Biological Systems, General Genetics, and Introduction to Cell Biology before choosing from a diverse range of advanced courses in the field. At MU you are also assured a well-rounded liberal arts education that will help you explore connections between your future vocation and the quality and values of your life. We won the coveted Theodore Hesburgh Award for the best General Education program in the nation.
 Exceptional opportunities to collaborate on research projects with world-class faculty mentors
You will have innumerable opportunities to pursue research experiences with faculty in many science departments on campus as early as your first semester! We strongly encourage this hands-on research experience. It provides a decided edge when you apply to graduate or professional school or enter the job market directly upon graduation. Competitive undergraduate research internship stipends start at $2000 in the academic year and $2800 in the summer. Our undergraduates often publish their research in scientific journals and present their research at national meetings.
MU's dedication to advancing the life sciences
As we continue into the 21st century, work in the life sciences has never been more important! One of MU's prime missions is to promote interdisciplinary research in the life sciences, leading to discoveries that will boost the production and quality of food, improve human and animal health and enhance the environment. As a MU student, you will have the opportunity to participate in these discoveries as you work with world-class researchers in their laboratories.
Our deep commitment to academic advising: we're here to help!
Biology is the largest major/department on campus, yet we make a real commitment to being accessible to our students. Our Academic Advising Center is fully staffed by professional academic advisors, peer advisors and student assistants in order to provide you with personalized academic advising throughout your undergraduate experience. Every student in the Division is assigned both a faculty advisor and a professional academic advisor; in addition, every Biology freshman or transfer student is assigned a peer advisor—a Biology major just like you who can help guide you along your college career path during your transitional year and beyond. The Advising Center sponsors a career fair in the spring, workshops, guest speakers, and dinners with faculty, and serves as your home base for gathering information about the vast variety of resources available to you on campus.
Strong support for study abroad
 Have you ever considered study abroad? The U.S. Senate declared 2006 as "the Year of Study Abroad." The Division of Biological Sciences recognizes that study abroad can be a life changing experience and we strongly encourage student participation in programs that will further academic and career goals. We provide scholarship support for study abroad programs at numerous universities. These are just a few in an extensive selection of study abroad options available through MU's International Center:
Learn about Marine Biology at the Great Barrier Reef at James Cook University in tropical Northern Queensland, Australia.
Study Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in English in Copenhagen, Denmark with Denmark's International Study Program.
Study Spanish language and Public Health in the developing world with field experience in semi-rural health clinics in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Thrive in a diverse culture
MU is an intentionally inclusive institution that understands, values and actively supports diversity in all its forms. The MU and Biological Sciences communities are made up of individuals from different races, ethnic backgrounds, economic backgrounds, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, geographical origins, talents and interests, and political beliefs and values. Exposure to this rich diversity will enhance your capacity to learn and live productively and peacefully, and indeed to thrive in an increasingly diverse and cross-cultural society and world.
We actively seek students from underserved and underrepresented groups for our undergraduate programs in order to further our comprehensive effort to increase the diversity and the quality of this nation's scholar talent pool in the biological sciences.
Choose to be with the best and the brightest
More of Missouri's valedictorians choose to attend MU than any other college or university. Students in Biological Sciences set particularly high standards: in the past four years, over one-third of our students graduated with honors and 11% were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.
The best way to learn more about our department is to visit us to meet our faculty, see our facilities and tour the campus.
If you can't visit, we'll be happy to send you information by mail or email.
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