Biology

Department of Biology

Gain a strong knowledge base, see the connections between biology and other disciplines, and experience the collaborative “doing” of biology.

The Biology Department offers both a major and a minor, which provide the knowledge and skills you’ll need to pursue vocations or advanced degrees in biology-related fields, including biochemistry, environmental science, neuroscience, and the health professions.

The Department also contributes classes for students enrolled in the first-year seminar (FYS) program, distribution courses for nonscience majors, introductory level courses covering the breadth of the discipline at two levels (regular and Honors), and diverse upper-level courses for majors. Undergraduate research opportunities are available in departmental laboratories during both the academic year and the summer. Students can also participate in internships sponsored by off-campus laboratories through existing programs or those proposed by the student. A chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the national biological honor society, provides supplemental activities for students.

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Biology in the News

Bi-coastal Biology

October 25 2018

From lichens growing on Maine granite to bacteria growing on the Mars rover, Picabo French ’19 spent her summer exploring biology with methods and purpose as diverse as her subjects.

The Mother of Freshwater Ecology

March 20 2019

In honor of Women’s History Month, we pay tribute to a former biology professor who pioneered freshwater ecology. We asked student historian Andrew Darlington ’19 to investigate the WC teacher and environmental groundbreaker Kathleen Carpenter.

Washington College’s Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2021, Dr. Jim Windelborn

December 10 2021

The recipient of Washington College’s Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2021, Dr. Jim Windelborn’s driving motivation has been an experience within itself. From the Midwest to Boston and now to Chestertown, Maryland, his empathetic approach to Biology and engaging with his students in meaningful ways has set both him and his students up for success at Washington College.