Undergraduate Degree Programs &
Pre-Professional Curricula
More than 50,000 students a year receive bachelor's degrees in biology, according to U.S. Department of Education statistics, and that number continues to rise. It is a remarkably diverse group. About 12 percent are members of minority groups underrepresented in the sciences. A little more than half are women -- up from about 30 percent in the 1960s. The careers for which these students are preparing are equally diverse. Nationwide, about 10 percent of biology majors go on to graduate school in biology and other sciences, and about 20 percent go on to medical school. A small but significant fraction become teachers in elementary and secondary schools. Others take jobs in industry, government, the nonprofit sector, law, journalism, and many other professions. Check our curriculum guide for information about what it takes to earn a degree in biology at Eastern Kentucky University.
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Biology teachers combine their love of biology with a knack for communicating. People trained in biology are needed as teachers in primary and secondary schools. Teaching younger students requires a general knowledge of biology and other sciences plus skill at working with different kinds of learners. High school teachers who specialize in biology may also teach courses of personal interest, such as marine biology or physiology.
Museums, zoos, and nature centers may also hire educators who have good biology backgrounds. At museums, educators interact with others to plan and carry out exhibitions. They might gather materials from museum collections for teaching a class. Naturalists lead hikes in wild areas and plan educational programs.
For more information about earning a teaching degree in biology, check our curriculum guide.
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A B.S. or M.S. with a concentration in microbial, cellular, and molecular biology (MCMB option in Biology) offers the opportunity to gain admission to graduate school for further research in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or structural biology. This option is also an excellent choice for students wishing to enter medical or dental school or to become part of a research team for the government or in biotechnology or pharmacology. Prospective students who are interested in pursuing a degree in the MCMB Option in Biology are encouraged to consult the "Positions" section of recent issues of the journal Science, a prestigious journal published weekly and found in most libraries. Many pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms also have excellent websites in which there are listed positions available to graduates in microbial, cellular, and molecular biology.
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Students seeking a degree in Environmental Studies may choose one of three options: Environmental Technology, Land Resources, or Natural History. You may wish to consider pursuing an Environmental Studies degree if you are interested in a career as a(n):
- Educator at an Environmental Center
- Naturalist
- Outdoor Trip Leader - Outward Bound, National Outdoor Leadership School, or similar program
- Program Director/Manager for outdoor center, environmental center, environmental organization, conservation group
- Scientist - Private foundation, environmental organization, or state or federal government
- Lobbyist for an environmental organization or conservation group
- Technician/employee for an environmental consulting firm, environmental organization, conservation group, state or federal government
- Urban Planner/Architect working on a state or local level
- Forest Ranger working for state or federal government
- Fundraiser for an environmental organization, conservation group, or foundation, or
- Researcher for an environmental organization or conservation group
- And many more.
For more information about our Environmental Studies program, see our curriculum guide.
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This major is designed for students interested in a career in vertebrate wildlife ecology research or management. The curriculum addresses both game and non-game species. Our approach is to give a broad background in ecology with an emphasis on application of ecological principals to wildlife conservation. By selecting appropriate restricted electives, graduates will qualify for certification by The Wildlife Society (the professional organization of wildlife scientists and professionals). See our Wildlife Management home page for additional information.
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Students with career interests in medicine, dentistry, osteopathic medicine, or podiatry may fulfill general admission requirements of specific professional schools by pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology or the Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. Students pursuing degrees in either department will concentrate in biology and chemistry, with appropriate and complementary courses in humanities, social sciences, and communications. Courses in mathematics and physics will also be required. Students interested in medical fields are assigned to a pre-medical sciences advisor. These advisors work closely with students to plan programs of study and prepare for the process of gaining admission to the chosen professional school. For more information, see the curriculum guide for the B.S. degree in Biology.
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Students with career interests in veterinary medicine may fulfill general admission requirements of specific veterinary schools by pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology or the Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. Students will work with a Pre-Veterinary Science advisor to plan a suitable program of study. For more information, see the curriculum guide for the B.S. degree in Biology.
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Students seeking to become professional foresters can complete the first two years of course work at Eastern Kentucky University, then complete their training in two years plus one summer at the University of Kentucky or any other accredited school of forestry. For more information, see the Pre-Forestry curriculum guide.
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