Highlights
- You'll have the flexibility to explore what genuinely interests you and shape your degree around your goals.
- You will work directly with faculty experts, many of whom are known nationally — even globally — in their fields of study.
- You will find a second home and state-of-the-art research facilities in Parker Science Building.
- Working closely with knowledgeable advisers, you will choose a path that includes learning experiences to prepare you for your next challenge after graduation — whether that’s graduate school, professional school or a career in the sciences.
Let Your Curiosity Grow
As a biology major, you’ll gain a well-rounded background in the biological sciences — from molecular biology and genetics to ecology and human anatomy. At the same time, you won’t be locked into a rigid path. You’ll have the flexibility to explore what genuinely interests you and shape your degree around your goals.
Whether you see yourself in a hospital setting, a research lab, a wildlife preserve, or a graduate program, you'll Graduate READY from one of the top biology programs in Illinois with the skills needed to thrive in your career. And, you won't do it alone. You'll learn alongside motivated classmates who share your curiosity and drive, students who challenge you, collaborate with you, and grow with you.
Imagine having professors who not only teach your class, but also mentor your research, help you plan for medical or graduate school, and write personalized recommendation letters. On top of that, career coaches and peer mentors provide career services to help you build momentum early and plan for your future.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Nearly 100% of students in the biology program participate in at least one undergraduate research opportunity, giving you access to opportunities that many other undergraduate programs can’t offer. At many colleges, research is limited to graduate students. At Illinois College, undergraduates work directly with faculty experts on meaningful research projects. Recent student-faculty research has focused on areas such as the preservation of endangered orchid species, the behavioral ecology of bats, DNA repair, lens regeneration, human skeletal anatomy, and biomechanics. These life-changing opportunities help you build your résumé and gain confidence before graduation.
From this biology degree in Illinois, you will have the opportunity to study and conduct research around the world, including locations such as the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii, Ecuador, Madagascar, Japan, Cuba, and the United Kingdom. These global research opportunities give you hands-on experience and a broader understanding of biological science in action.
Outcomes
Recent alumni from Illinois College, one of the top biology degrees in Illinois, have been accepted into some of the top graduate programs in the country, like Johns Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University, Michigan State, Washington University in St. Louis, SIU School of Medicine, University of Florida and the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri. These are often made possible by strong undergraduate research opportunities and early engagement with faculty experts in their field.
You will also find graduates of Illinois College’s biology program working for some of the most sought-after employers on the globe, in successful careers as doctors, scientists, nurses, engineers, veterinarians, professors, researchers, and more.