You could read a textbook about plant and animal discoveries, but why not make discoveries of your own? In the biology program at Salisbury University, you’ll have many opportunities for undergraduate research both in the field and in our state-of-the-art facilities.
Why Choose a Biology Major at Salisbury University?
Unlike many other universities, you have the opportunity at SU to conduct scientific research in your freshman year and even present your findings at local, regional and national conferences. Research is an increasingly important element in undergraduate education, and your strong record of it will allow graduate programs and professional schools, as well as employers, to discover you.
Our weekly seminars also keep you up to date with current research being conducted by scientists at other institutions and are great for making connections for postgraduate studies. Specialized advising is provided for students who intend to pursue postgraduate work in medical professions, teaching, medical school or graduate programs.
For those interested in this field, SU also offers a biology minor, which can complement many other SU majors.
Biology Major Concentrations
At SU, students may complete the biology major in one of six unique ways to take their knowledge into the field. Our concentrations prepare students for a variety of disciplines within biology, including medical, veterinary, pharmacy and other health professions, genetic engineering, ecology, earth sciences and more.
For those who prefer a more traditional education in biology, the General Biology concentration prepares students to enter the modern workforce with a comprehensive overview of the field. Students take a look at biology at the molecular, cellular, organismic and population levels as they develop key knowledge and skills for a diverse number of jobs in the field. A flexible option, students in this concentration have the ability to customize their education to their personal interests and goals by choosing classes from diverse sub-disciplines across biology and related sciences.
Focused on life sciences and human biology, the Biomedical Science concentration prepares students with the skills necessary to succeed in medical school and health-related careers. Students can customize their degree based on their interests as they prepare for jobs in medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, optometry, nursing, physical therapy or other health professions. Students who graduate from this concentration are competitive candidates for medical school and jobs in 2,700 different life science companies in Maryland.
The Biotechnology concentration provides a solid foundation in molecular and cellular biological sciences. Students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies involving bioinformatics, genetic engineering and genomics. Students can customize their education so they are prepared to pursue advanced degrees in biomedicine, agriculture, law or bioscience research. Students who graduate from this concentration are ready to start a scientific career with more than 500 biotechnology companies in Maryland.
The Environmental Biology concentration focuses on the study of relationships between organisms and their environment, from microbes to mammals, in both aquatic and terrestrial settings. Located between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, SU is the perfect place to gain hands-on experience in conservation biology, ecology, organismal biology and earth sciences. Students who graduate from this concentration are prepared for diverse careers in environmental research, management, monitoring, outreach, education, at governmental regulatory agencies or private environmental consulting companies.
An accredited program, the Secondary Education concentration offers a rigorous study in biology and professional education and prepares students to teach biology in their own classrooms. This concentration is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education for secondary school teacher certification (Grades 7-12).
With the Dual-Degree Biology and Environmental Science program, students receive both a Bachelor of Science in biology from SU and a Bachelor of Science in environmental science with a marine concentration from University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Located near the Chesapeake Bay, SU is an ideal place to gain exciting hands-on experiences in the study of marine, estuarine and wetland systems, ecotoxicology and global-scale environmental science as they engage in research, scientific writing and field work. The program is strongly focused on analytical environmental science, giving students a background in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.
Meet Lauren - Biology Major
Hear how Lauren found opportunities for research, faculty mentorship and creative thinking within the biology major at SU.
Careers for a Biology Major
What jobs can you get with a biology major? Graduates of our program are broadly trained biologists, and they possess the knowledge and skills vital for graduate school and future employment. The field is open for our biology majors, but you could go on to become one of the following:
Dentist
Field Biologist
Laboratory Research Biologist
Oceanographer
Pharmacist
Veterinarian
Zoologist
Biology Faculty with Real-World Experience
Our faculty has embraced the concept of student-centered teaching and encourages student participation at science meetings.
Meet Your Faculty: Jennifer Nyland
A leader in immunotoxicology research, Dr. Jennifer Nyland welcomes SU students to participate in research in her laboratory. Her students collaborate with a marine science lab at SU to examine the impacts of environmental toxicants on marine organisms. Her work has been published across numerous leading research journals in toxicology and environmental health. She was editor-in-chief of Immunology and Immunogenetic Insights, an international journal on the study of the immune system, including pathophysiology and physiology in health, and immunological disorders.
