Biology

Biology is a dynamic science aimed at understanding living organisms and how they interact with the environment. Biological research seeks to answer a broad range of questions, from factors that affect human health to ecological issues.

Saint Louis University's biology program offers courses that emphasize concepts over facts and aim to provide a foundation for careers in the life sciences, health professions, K-12 education and advanced post-graduate study in various disciplines. The B.A. in Biology at Saint Louis University provides maximum flexibility in selecting upper-division courses and is favored by students seeking double majors. SLU also offers a B.S. in Biology. 

• SLU's biology program is enriched by interactions with the School of Medicine, Missouri Botanical Garden, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and Saint Louis Zoo and a growing number of St. Louis-based life science companies. Research experiences and internships provide students with opportunities to study biology beyond the classroom.
• SLU's Department of Biology has a field station that provides unique opportunities for students to explore ecology, conservation and environmental science in an Ozark forest ecosystem. The field station offers students opportunities to take a summer class, conduct undergraduate research and participate in a semester-long program of field biology coursework.
• Biology students at SLU are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities. Groups such as Beta Beta Beta, the biology honorary society, and Alpha Epsilon Delta, the pre-professional honor society, are social and academic organizations that further students' interest in biology while exposing them to its relationship with other scientific disciplines.

1. Graduates will be able to effectively apply core biological concepts to solve problems.
2. Graduates will be able to critically evaluate scientific information from multiple sources, including that from the primary literature.
3. Graduates will be able to apply biological principles to global societal issues.
4. Graduates will be able to draw valid conclusions from quantitative data.
5. Graduates will be able to formulate hypotheses that address research questions.
6. Graduates will be able to correctly perform common laboratory and/or field techniques.

Send transcripts of all secondary work.

Find out from your admission counselor what secondary credentials are required. We’ll evaluate how you’ve done in school up to this point, so please send all transcripts for secondary work, along with their English language translations.

Submit proof of your English language proficiency.

These are scores from any standardized test you may have taken to prepare for college — TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, SAT, ACT or Duolingo score. All of our international applicants are required to demonstrate their English proficiency, and these tests can help us make that determination.

If you do not meet SLU’s direct entry requirements, we encourage you to apply to the Pathway or English Language programs offered by INTO Saint Louis University.

Recommended items.

Though not required for admission, submission of a resume of activities and letters of recommendation is encouraged. All undergraduate applicants are also encouraged to complete an admission interview.

SLU's biology major develops strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills that provide excellent preparation for professional schools, such as:

• Medical school
• Veterinary science school
• Dental school
• Optometry school
• Graduate school in a broad range of disciplines

The skills biology majors gain also open the door to a wide variety of career options in health care, biotechnology, environmental management, conservation, education and the pharmaceutical industry.

Recent biology majors have been awarded grants from Sigma Xi and the National Science Foundation and prestigious fellowships from the NSF, Fulbright Scholar Program, Mayo Clinic, Smithsonian Institution, NeuroSURF and the American Society for Microbiology.