Biology, BA/BS

Graduates of our program move on to careers ranging from land and resource management to teaching, laboratory work to agriculture, and from research to medical, dental, veterinary, and physician assistant schools. We emphasize both field work and modern molecular techniques to provide a strong biological science background which will serve you well whatever career path you choose.

The pristine Klamath/Siskiyou bioregion surrounding Southern Oregon University is an inspiring learning environment for students of Biology. Field excursions take place in the heart of some of the most diverse terrain accessible from any university in the United States. Coastal rainforest, tide pools, alpine meadows, evergreen forests, wild rivers, and uninterrupted desert views are all within a day’s drive of campus. Biology professors bring their classes into these biodiverse ecosystems and provide tailored learning experiences for students. The Biology department offers opportunities for field research and collaborative internships with land management agencies.

The Biology department specializes in zoology, botany, and ecology, all of which provide a strong basis future research undertakings and careers in conservation and natural resource management.

SOU proudly offers remarkable facilities for Biology field studies, including a greenhouse, herbarium, and extensive museum quality collections of vertebrates and invertebrates.

SOU’s excellent pre-Medicine program draws heavily from our strength in the sciences our students a competitive edge when applying for medical school. The Biology department offers advising in all areas of medicine and preparation for diverse health care professional schools. Students who complete this program of study will earn a B.S. in Biology and will be poised to gain entrance to post-graduate schools that train doctors and other healthcare professionals.

The Biology department also offers cellular and molecular biology for students considering careers in research, biotechnology, and advanced laboratory science. Students interested in biotechnology perform research in our Biotechnology Center alongside professors with active research programs involving DNA analysis, protein purification, and other biotechnology tools.

Student researchers are provided with ample opportunities to present at national meetings. Some students even publish their work, providing them significant advantages in applying for graduate and professional schools.