Biology

The Biology program fosters rigorous learning in the science of life, from molecular biology to ecology, and helps prepare you for a diverse variety of careers.

It will prepare you for admission into graduate and professional schools, careers in biology, or secondary education. The program includes extensive hands-on laboratory, field, and research experiences for the development of technical, quantitative, intellectual, and communication skills.

Highlights of the Biology Program

• Major in Biology or select a concentration in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine, or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Participate in Pathways to Science and Science Colloquium, which introduce you to guest scientists in academia and industry to expose you to the numerous opportunities available beyond Castleton
• Supplement your learning with access to our state-of-the-art instrumentation in our teaching and research labs.
• The Student Science Association is active and involved in the local community and beyond.
• Natural Sciences faculty have been awarded over $1,500,000 in federal research grant funding.
• Travel courses include Costa Rica, Mojave Desert, Iceland, and more.

Focus Your Biology Education

Specialized courses in designated concentrations provide extra experience to develop skills that will prepare you for future study and careers in science.

You can elect to pursue:

• B.S. in Biology with a Concentration in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine
  For students interested in medicine, pre-medical, dental, or veterinary school, pharmaceutical sciences, or biomedical research
• B.S. in Biology with a Concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  For students interested in graduate school programs in ecology, evolution, or organismal biology, and employment with state and federal agencies or private industry focusing on whole organisms

Biology Outside of the Classroom

The nature of the Biology major allows our faculty to take advantage of the outside, natural laboratory as much as possible in both their lab and travel courses. Labs may bring students to the array of natural ecosystems across Vermont, while our numerous travel courses bring students to places like the Mojave Desert, Belize, Iceland, St. John, and other locations.

Many Biology majors elect to participate in either internships or independent research in their field of study during their time at Castleton.

Our faculty have diverse research interests.  Some of this research is funded externally through grants awarded to our faculty where students have the opportunity to work intensively with faculty over the summer months and get paid a stipend.

Students wishing to pursue graduate school are strongly encouraged to work with faculty on independent projects. Some of the recent student research related to Biology include:

• Molecular microbiology research studying the metabolism of genetically altered symbiotic bacteria
• Salamander diversity in a local clear-cut forest
• Molecular genetics of plant development in response to environmental stresses
• Nearly all of our Biology students that participate in research present their work at the Annual Castleton Scholars Celebration and at various regional and national conferences.

Careers in Biology

With a B.S. in Biology, you will have the opportunity to pursue both laboratory and field careers in government, industry, and the nonprofit sector.

This program also prepares you for careers and professional or graduate degree programs in medicine, ecology, agriculture, biomedical research, conservation, and numerous other options.

Recently, our students have moved on to attend graduate school for master’s and Doctoral degrees, have entered medical school, or have obtained jobs with various state park agencies.

Agreement with Norwich University

All graduates in Biology that earn a GPA of 2.75 or higher (and meet all minimum requirements of the agreement) are guaranteed admission and discounted tuition to the Norwich University Master of Civil Engineering program (including Environmental/Water Resources Engineering).