Biology

The world is your lab

The Millsaps Biology Department fosters an appreciation for and curiosity about the living world and biological processes, an understanding of how current and historical scientific knowledge was acquired, and the ability to apply knowledge and skills to new questions. With a biology degree, you will be well prepared to enter graduate school, professional schools (such as medical, dental or pharmacy school) or for immediate employment after graduation.

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Why study Biology at Millsaps?

In their own words

Caroline Eschete, Class of 2025

“What I love the most is how my professors know me by name, know who I am and what I want to do. This is pretty rare for a college. They care about who Caroline is and where Caroline is going, and they will fight to help me get there!”

Logan Krueger, Class of 2024

"I’d say my favorite thing about our Biology Department is the abundant opportunities for research. Because of my professors, I already have professional experience in my field before I’ve even gotten my bachelor’s and I feel like that has given me a leg up in life after I graduate.”

Aastha Banga, Class of 2025

"Each and every faculty member has opened their door to me for whenever I needed anything. From providing help with classes to just listening to me rant about my life, they have supported me. Having this strong connection is really helpful because I know they always have my back.”

Featured Courses

Here is a sampling of a few courses that might pique your interest.

BIOL 1000 Introduction to Cell Biology with Lab

Examine the fundamental concepts of modern cell biology, including cell structure and physiology, molecular biology, and genetics.

BIOL 3380 Wetland Ecology with Lab: Principles and Conservation

Explore the physical and ecological processes of wetlands. Emphasis is on natural wetlands, wetland plants and wildlife, conservation, restoration, and management of wetlands.

Browse all Biology courses

Degree Options

Discover your degrees, minors, concentrations and certification options available for this field of study.

Biology, B.A.

A bachelor of arts provides an expansive education with a broad selection of courses that allows students to customize their education. This opens students to a range of opportunities beyond pure science and mathematics.

Biology, B.S.

A bachelor of science is a more specialized degree focused on developing skills within a specific field. A B.S. in biology is ideal for students who are sure of their career path or for anyone who prefers a more research-intensive profession.

Annual Student Science Research Symposium

Millsaps’ annual Student Science Research Symposium allows students to share their research.

Kaxil Kiuic, a 4,500-acre Biocultural Reserve

Millsaps’ reserve supports a range of research on the Kaxil Kiuic ecosystem and surrounding countryside.

Automatic Acceptance into Osteopathic Medical School

Millsaps’ students benefit from the region’s only automatic acceptance program into osteopathic medical school.

Our distinctive strengths

When studying biology at Millsaps, you are encouraged to participate in research projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Course credit for research may be granted through enrollment in Undergraduate Research, the Honors Program or Ford Fellowship Program. The department has excellent facilities to support experimental research and field studies. Internships at local agencies, clinics and laboratories are also available.

Comprehensive curriculum
Opportunities to specialize
Experiential learning opportunities
High medical school acceptance rates
Skill development directed at vocation

Gain hands-on experience

You are encouraged to participate in research projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Course credit for research may be granted through enrollment in Undergraduate Research, the Honors Program or Ford Fellowship Program. The department has excellent facilities to support experimental research and field studies. Internships at local agencies, clinics and laboratories are also available. Laboratory research opportunities are offered in molecular and cell biology, genetics, microbiology, developmental biology and molecular phylogenetics. Many students perform biomedical research at the nearby University of Mississippi Medical Center. Field research opportunities are offered in ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology, both locally and in the American Southwest. The college’s field station at Kaxil Kiuic Biocultural Reserve in Yucatán, Mexico, also offers opportunities for research. You can share your research during the annual Millsaps Student Science Research Symposium.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Pathways

Our curriculum emphasizes problem solving and critical thinking skills essential to any career (and therefore any Pathway), as well as scientific writing and experimentation skills that may be especially critical to students interested in any of our six Pathways tracks.

Learn More About Pathways

Study Abroad

Summer- and winter-term field courses are offered on a regular basis. Recent courses have been held in the American Southwest, Hawaii, Yucatán and the Galápagos Islands.

Upcoming Study-Abroad Classes

More About the Degree

Recent Career Placements

Allen Engineering (Wildlife Biologist)
Louisiana State Department of Fish & Wildlife
Washington University School of Medicine Phase Genomics
Mississippi State Department of Health
American Museum of Natural History (Postdoctoral Scholar)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center of Dallas (Computational Biologist)