The study of biology leads to dynamic careers in health care, teaching, agriculture, research and beyond.
Elmhurst University is a national leader in a concept-based style of biology education—one that’s hands-on, collaborative, and focused on the real world. Biology at Elmhurst is about solving problems and making discoveries. It’s about becoming a thinker, not a technician, and graduating as a broadly educated biologist.
Our curriculum follows National Science Foundation recommendations as outlined in the AAAS Vision and Change Report.
In June of 2022, external reviewers from the Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education awarded the biology department with a Gold Medal ranking as a sign of the quality of our curriculum and faculty. We are one of only four schools in the U.S. to carry this distinction, indicating our commitment to being a national leader among biology departments.
Hands-On Experience
As a biology major at Elmhurst, you’ll work closely with our expert faculty on cutting-edge research, like the evolution of mussels or the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer. Most of our students present their work at undergraduate conferences; many earn recognition as co-authors on research publications.
New Labs and Facilities
You’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities and recently renovated laboratories, including:
- Flexible-use labs that are fully capable of doing modern biology, including research involving sophisticated cellular and molecular analysis
- A greenhouse and two extensive green roofs
- Anatomage table for virtual cadaver dissection
- The 120-plus plant species of our arboretum campus
The research opportunities I had at Elmhurst are going to open up a lot of doors for me.
ANDERS WINQUIST-BAILEY
Careers and Outcomes
A biology degree from Elmhurst will set you up for a successful career in research, health care, pharmacy, biotechnology, education or just about anything. Our graduates go on to top Ph.D. programs and professional schools, and they work everywhere from the U.S. Forest Service to top-tier hospitals to Kraft Heinz and Abbott Laboratories.
Global Impact
A Fulbright Award Winner will apply her ecology education in Africa.
