biosci.northwestern.eduBiological Sciences Major - Northwestern University

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Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences Contact BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES MAJOR Search this site Search Menu About Expand About Submenu Admissions News Events Expand Events Submenu Past Events Frequently Asked Questions Undergraduate Expand Undergraduate Submenu Advising First-Year Focus Degree Requirements Concentrations Courses and Registration Biology Students Association Career Paths Grants & Fellowships Opportunities Research Expand Research Submenu Research for Credit Honors Program Senior Thesis Examples Recent Honors Recipients Recent Prize Winners Publications by Undergraduates Research Labs Constance Campbell People Expand People Submenu Faculty and Staff Student Advisory Board Representatives Contact Make a Gift Contact Search Search this site Search About Admissions News Events Frequently Asked Questions Undergraduate Advising First-Year Focus Degree Requirements Concentrations Courses and Registration Biology Students Association Career Paths Grants & Fellowships Opportunities Research Research for Credit Honors Program Senior Thesis Examples Recent Honors Recipients Recent Prize Winners Publications by Undergraduates Research Labs Constance Campbell People Faculty and Staff Student Advisory Board Representatives Contact Make a Gift Biological Sciences THE SCIENCE OF LIVING SYSTEMS Welcome Undergraduate Majors and Prospective Students! Biology is the science of living systems, from molecular and cellular to organismal and ecological levels. Biology is also a living science that continues to make new and exciting discoveries revealing adaptations and relationships of organisms, the causes of human disease, generating new therapies, improving human health, and helping to understand ourselves. Biology majors choose an area of concentration representing one of the foundational modern biological disciplines. Majors become experts in their area of concentration and attain a breadth of knowledge preparing them for careers in medicine, research, biotech and beyond. The study of biology made large impacts on society historically and today. Biologists discovered evolution by natural selection to explain the origin and persistence of life on Earth. They discovered the replication and decoding of DNA information to explain inherited and sporadic diseases such as birth defects and cancer. Biologists identified the nature of infectious disease and the immune system, leading to antibiotics and vaccines. Crucially, biologists develop ways to detect and modify biomolecules, leading to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. Ongoing research in biology is essential for confronting the health challenges of today and of the future. Questions? Please check out our FAQ page or contact us . Helpful Links Declaring a major in Biological Sciences Registration and Pre-Registration Degree Requirements BIOL_SCI 398 and 399 Registration Graduating with Honors in Biological Sciences Concentrations During the upper years, biology majors choose an area of concentration representing one of the foundational modern biological disciplines below. These specializations build expertise in methodologies and analysis of distinct levels of organization in biological systems. Explore our concentrations below. Human Health and Disease Learn about biological aspects of both health and pathology, and the biological underpinnings of medical research. Human Health and Disease Cell and Developmental Biology Discover the internal workings of cells, and how evolved developmental processes organize those cells into tissues and organs. Cell and Developmental Biology Biochemistry & Biophysics Dive into the chemical and physical nature of biological compounds and macromolecules, and the chemical processes that govern life. Biochemistry & Biophysics Molecular Genetics and Genomics Discover how cells encode, express, and pass on genetic information. Molecular Genetics and Genomics Computational and Systems Biology Investigate the range of quantitative and other analytical techniques in biological theory and experimentation. Computational and Systems Biology Ecology Evolution and Conservation Discover the interactions between ecology and evolution, the impact of climate change, habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and other factors in biodiversity and ecosystem health. Ecology Evolution and Conservation Molecular Neurobiology Learn the molecular, cellular, developmental, structural and functional aspects of nervous systems. Molecular Neurobiology Interdisciplinary Biology Interdisciplinary themes should be unique and distinct from already established concentrations. A student interested in this option should contact the Associate Director of the Program to discuss goals and appropriate courses. Interdisciplinary Biology Explore! Visit our concentration page to explore the possibilities. Concentrations page Highlights Updates Don’t forget to check our opportunities page for new opportunities! Read More Latest News Biological Sciences major Yulia Gutierrez receives CLP Undergraduate Research Award Genetic analysis of tree confirms what Indigenous people of Borneo knew Erik Andersen and Cynthia Wang receive Fulbright awards Scientists identify key mechanism controlling skin regeneration Getting under your skin: Molecular research builds new understanding of skin regeneration © Northwestern University Building Access Campus Emergency Information Careers Contact Northwestern University Disclaimer Report an Accessibility Issue University Policies Address Biological Sciences Major 2205 Tech Drive Room 2-144 Evanston, IL 60208 Phone number Phone: 847.467.2310 Fax: 847.467.0525 Email Address biosci@northwestern.edu Parking Maps Shuttles Directory Bookstore...