Image
Biology
Biology
Examine life from cells to ecosystems.
Degree Type
-
Bachelor of Science
-
Honors Bachelor of Science
-
Minor
College
College of Science
Catalog Link
Biology
Living systems are complex, challenging and endlessly fascinating. The world needs scientists who can understand these systems and find solutions for healthier lives and ecosystems. That scientist could be you. The biology curriculum at OSU-Cascades offers strong preparation for graduate, professional and medical school, emphasizing interdisciplinary, hands-on research. You’ll learn to be an effective scientist as you develop a hypothesis, experiment, analyze and present your results. And you’ll graduate with the skills to make life better — wherever your career takes you.
Image
Image
Small class sizes
Build strong relationships with faculty working on cutting-edge research.
Image
Image
Active learning
Fewer lectures, and more hands-on learning from your first year!
Image
Image
Do real-world research
Take on a topic that you care about with expert faculty guidance.
Program Details
Degree Requirements
A total of 180 quarter credits are required to graduate, including 60 upper-division credits. Requirements include:
- OSU Core Education
- Biology major requirements
- Electives if need to complete 180 total college credits
Degree Planning and Transfer Resources
See Transfer Student page for transfer planning and resources.
Pre-Req and Science Placement Resources
Chemistry Placement and Prep
Biology Pre-req/Requirements Petition
Pre-Medical and Pre-Health Resources
Association of American Medical Colleges Preparing for Medical School
OSU College of Science Pre-Med Resources
How to Prepare for a Healthcare Career in High School
Using the following course forecast information students will plan ahead and work with their advisor to create and update academic plans.
Once you complete this program, discover all the learning outcomes you'll achieve.
Biology Minor (28-31 credits)
Students majoring in Biochemistry and Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BioHealth Sciences, Biology, Botany, Microbiology and Zoology cannot declare the Biology minor. The courses below may be shared with other majors outside of those listed above.
The Biology minor includes a required introductory biology sequence with chemistry prerequisite or corequisite. A C- or better in the Principles of Biology or Introductory Biology series is required to complete the minor. A series of general chemistry, through CH 123 or (CH 223Z and CH 229Z), is required for some of the listed courses.
Careers
Image
What comes after graduation?
Biology grads explore life in all its forms, from ecology and conservation to lab science and public health. You’ll be prepared for roles in research, restoration, biotech, or further study in health and environmental fields.
- Research Chemist, Lonza
- Bioinformatics Scientist, Illumina
- Biological Science Technician, U.S. Forest Service
- Public Health Professional, Oregon Health Authority
- Research Assistant, Oregon Health & Science University
- Senior Scientist, Pharmanex
- Clinical Imaging Technician, Synarc
- R&D Project Manager, Morphotek
- Coastal Specialist, California Sea Grant Extension
- Deschutes River Alliance
- Pharmacist, HealthPartners
- Clinical Quality, Swedish Medical Group
- Ecologist, Wild Fish Conservancy
(Some occupations may require further education/licensure)
What Can I Do With A Major In Biological Sciences or Biochemistry?
Bioinformatics Scientist, Illumina
Biological Science Technician, U.S. Forest Service
Clinical Imaging Technician, Synarc
Clinical Quality, Swedish Medical Group
Coastal Specialist, California Sea Grant Extension
Ecologist, Wild Fish Conservancy
Pharmacist, HealthPartners
Public Health Professional, Oregon Health Authority
R&D Project Manager, Morphotek, Inc
Research Assistant, Oregon Health and Science University
Research Chemist, Lonza
Senior Scientist, Pharmanex
(Data obtained from LinkedIn)
- Bend Bioscience
- Discover Your Forest
- Grace Bio-Labs
- High Desert Museum
- Lonza
- McConnell Labs
- Oregon Health Sciences University
- Oregon State Parks
- Oregon State Police Forensic Science
- Oregon State University
- Oregon State University Extension
- Rezolute
- Serán Bioscience
- St. Charles Health Systems
- St. Charles Medical Laboratory and Blood Bank
- Sunriver Nature Center
- Suterra
- ThermoFischer Scientific
- Think Wild
- U.S. Forest Service
- VR Analytical
$
93
k
average annual salary
Biologists, Bureau of Labor Statistics
4,800
projected job openings in Oregon alone between 2024-2034
Biologists, Bureau of Labor Statistics
91
%
employed or in graduate school or military within 6 mo.
OSU-Cascades-wide
Courses
Image
What types of classes will I attend?
- Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Genetics
- Disease Ecology
- Molecular Medicine
- General Biochemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- General Physics
- Aquatic Entomology
- Ecology
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Environmental Physiology
- Microbiology
- Biodiversity: Causes, Consequences, and Conservation
- Vertebrate Biology
Alumni Spotlight
Image
Fish have a story to tell
Trinity Bartel, Biology '23, says she's one of those lucky people who always knew what she wanted to do when she grew up. For her, it was marine science. At first, all she wanted to do was count crabs. With a biology degree in hand from OSU-Cascades, she's close — she's counting fish. Trinity is a recreational fishing fisheries technician for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. She collects data from discarded fish carcasses including fish length, sex and age. The data is used by government agencies to prevent overfishing. They compare stock numbers to previous years to establish quotas. "There's so much work that goes into sampling to get an accurate picture of what's down there," said Trinity. "And being part of that is really fun and fulfilling for me."
Get an Edge
Image
Undergraduate research
Your lab classes are just a start. You can engage directly in undergraduate research projects under the supervision of OSU-Cascades' faculty. There are several funding opportunities available for students, research and scholarship fellowships. At OSU-Cascades, our labs open doors to real scenarios where you’ll help find solutions for some of our biggest challenges and participate in hands-on training.
Alumni Spotlight
Image
The chemistry with ThermoFisher Scientific is real
Biotech in Bend is growing. It’s an industry that needs interns and skilled employees. Numerous OSU-Cascades graduates — many of them biology majors — have found jobs at ThermoFisher Scientific’s Bend site, where experts turn insoluble compounds into soluble compounds that can help improve human health. OSU-Cascades alumni work at ThermoFisher Scientific as formulation scientists, analytical development scientists, quality control scientists, human resources coordinators and biostatistics scientists. In partnership with OSU-Cascades, ThermoFisher Scientific also offers internships for biology students interested in laboratory science.
See yourself here
Take a virtual tour of campus
Request More Info
Loading...
Contact Us
We're here to help! Future students can connect with an OSU-Cascades admissions advisor for admission and program questions.