{"id":748,"date":"2013-06-03T14:22:14","date_gmt":"2013-06-03T19:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/?page_id=748"},"modified":"2024-12-05T11:26:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T17:26:06","slug":"the-department","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/","title":{"rendered":"Biology Department"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection>\n<p>St. Olaf offers a strong and modern biology curriculum rooted in the liberal arts. Students not only develop a broad foundation in biology through core courses, but also achieve depth in specific biological interests through elective courses and independent study. An emphasis on interdisciplinary training encourages students to solve problems using tools from other fields (including physics, chemistry, psychology, and mathematics) to study connections of such scientific and societal significance as sustainable agriculture, compassionate health care, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At St. Olaf, students of biology find:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Exceptional opportunities for experiential learning, including high-quality research opportunities, challenging internships, and off-campus study programs throughout the world<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A state-of-the-art science facility designed to promote the faculty-student research that sustains our nationally recognized undergraduate research programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A singular focus on undergraduate education that ensures students get plenty of hands-on experience with the latest scientific technology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opportunities for service to others through off-campus programs, through the stewardship of our Natural Lands, and through outreach to local and regional schools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A St. Olaf biology degree prepares students for a wide range of careers or further study, and the college is among the top undergraduate institutions in the number of graduates who go on to earn Ph.D.s in the field. Many Oles pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, public health, and pharmacy. Others become professors, industry researchers and managers, lawyers, teachers, policy makers, activists, and entrepreneurs. Regardless of their career paths, students come away with strong research and problem-solving skills, a sharp investigational mind, and a lifelong appreciation for the complexity of life.<strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Requirements for the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/files\/2019\/10\/BiologyMajorChecklistOct2019.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Biology Major Checklist<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/catalog.stolaf.edu\/academic-programs\/biology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Biology Academic Catalog<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__query_loop_main_site panel panel-query_loop_main_site site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"query-loop-main-site\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n    <div class=\" query-loop\">\n\n                    <article class=\"item-loop item-loop--post c-card  \">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"item__image c-card__image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"DSC_6243-2\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_6243-2-370x245.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 33vw, (min-width: 960px) 25vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_6243-2-540x340.jpg 540w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_6243-2-370x245.jpg 370w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_6243-2-270x170.jpg 270w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t<header class=\"item-loop__header c-card__header u-cc-teal\">\n\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/news\/sophomores-celebrate-milestone-at-major-declaration-celebration\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"c-card__link\"><span class=\"u-visual-hide\">Sophomores celebrate milestone at Major Declaration Celebration<\/span><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-card__category u-cc-teal\">Academics<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h3 class=\"item-loop__title c-card__title\">\n\t\t\tSophomores celebrate milestone at Major Declaration Celebration\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n        \n\t<\/header>\n\n<\/article>\n\n                    <article class=\"item-loop item-loop--post c-card  \">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"item__image c-card__image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"Brightened dance 7\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brightened-dance-7-370x245.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 33vw, (min-width: 960px) 25vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brightened-dance-7-540x340.jpg 540w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brightened-dance-7-370x245.jpg 370w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brightened-dance-7-270x170.jpg 270w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t<header class=\"item-loop__header c-card__header u-cc-cranberry\">\n\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/news\/urban-bush-women-residency-cultivating-care-creativity-and-community\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"c-card__link\"><span class=\"u-visual-hide\">Urban Bush Women residency: Cultivating care, creativity, and community<\/span><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-card__category u-cc-cranberry\">Arts<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h3 class=\"item-loop__title c-card__title\">\n\t\t\tUrban Bush Women residency: Cultivating care, creativity, and community\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n        \n\t<\/header>\n\n<\/article>\n\n                    <article class=\"item-loop item-loop--post c-card  \">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"item__image c-card__image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"KYMN at night_2500x1667(1)\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KYMN-at-night_2500x16671-370x245.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 33vw, (min-width: 960px) 25vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KYMN-at-night_2500x16671-540x340.jpg 540w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KYMN-at-night_2500x16671-370x245.jpg 370w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KYMN-at-night_2500x16671-270x170.jpg 270w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t<header class=\"item-loop__header c-card__header u-cc-teal\">\n\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/news\/oles-in-the-news-multiple-faculty-featured-by-local-radio-station\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"c-card__link\"><span class=\"u-visual-hide\">Oles in the News: Multiple faculty featured by local radio station<\/span><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-card__category u-cc-teal\">Academics<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h3 class=\"item-loop__title c-card__title\">\n\t\t\tOles in the News: Multiple faculty featured by local radio station\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n        \n\t<\/header>\n\n<\/article>\n\n                    <article class=\"item-loop item-loop--post c-card  \">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"item__image c-card__image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"BeckmanScholarsProgramLogo_2500x1667\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BeckmanScholarsProgramLogo_2500x1667-370x245.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 33vw, (min-width: 960px) 25vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BeckmanScholarsProgramLogo_2500x1667-540x340.jpg 540w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BeckmanScholarsProgramLogo_2500x1667-370x245.jpg 370w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BeckmanScholarsProgramLogo_2500x1667-270x170.jpg 270w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t<header class=\"item-loop__header c-card__header u-cc-teal\">\n\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/news\/st-olaf-receives-prestigious-beckman-scholars-program-grant\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"c-card__link\"><span class=\"u-visual-hide\">St. Olaf receives prestigious Beckman Scholars Program grant<\/span><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-card__category u-cc-teal\">Academics<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h3 class=\"item-loop__title c-card__title\">\n\t\t\tSt. Olaf receives prestigious Beckman Scholars Program grant\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n        \n\t<\/header>\n\n<\/article>\n\n                    <article class=\"item-loop item-loop--post c-card  \">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"item__image c-card__image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"EMT in Cannon Falls_2500x1667\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/EMT-in-Cannon-Falls_2500x1667-370x245.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 33vw, (min-width: 960px) 25vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/EMT-in-Cannon-Falls_2500x1667-540x340.jpg 540w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/EMT-in-Cannon-Falls_2500x1667-370x245.jpg 370w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/EMT-in-Cannon-Falls_2500x1667-270x170.jpg 270w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t<header class=\"item-loop__header c-card__header u-cc-teal\">\n\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/news\/oles-in-the-news-st-olaf-rural-health-program-featured-on-minnesota-public-radio\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"c-card__link\"><span class=\"u-visual-hide\">Oles in the News: Minnesota Public Radio features St. Olaf&#8217;s Rural Health Initiative<\/span><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-card__category u-cc-teal\">Academics<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h3 class=\"item-loop__title c-card__title\">\n\t\t\tOles in the News: Minnesota Public Radio features St. Olaf&#8217;s Rural Health Initiative\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n        \n\t<\/header>\n\n<\/article>\n\n                    <article class=\"item-loop item-loop--post c-card  \">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"item__image c-card__image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"Jessica Schmidt at Harvard\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/JessicaSchmidt-2-370x245.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 33vw, (min-width: 960px) 25vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/JessicaSchmidt-2-540x340.jpg 540w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/JessicaSchmidt-2-370x245.jpg 370w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/JessicaSchmidt-2-270x170.jpg 270w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t<header class=\"item-loop__header c-card__header u-cc-teal\">\n\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/news\/the-cipher-protocol\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"c-card__link\"><span class=\"u-visual-hide\">The Cipher Protocol<\/span><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-card__category u-cc-teal\">Academics<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h3 class=\"item-loop__title c-card__title\">\n\t\t\tThe Cipher Protocol\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n        \n\t<\/header>\n\n<\/article>\n\n                    <article class=\"item-loop item-loop--post c-card  \">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"item__image c-card__image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"RuralHealth-2\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/RuralHealth-2-370x245.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 33vw, (min-width: 960px) 25vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/RuralHealth-2-540x340.jpg 540w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/RuralHealth-2-370x245.jpg 370w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/RuralHealth-2-270x170.jpg 270w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t<header class=\"item-loop__header c-card__header u-cc-teal\">\n\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/news\/health-care-in-the-heartland\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"c-card__link\"><span class=\"u-visual-hide\">Health Care in the Heartland<\/span><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-card__category u-cc-teal\">Academics<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h3 class=\"item-loop__title c-card__title\">\n\t\t\tHealth Care in the Heartland\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n        \n\t<\/header>\n\n<\/article>\n\n                    <article class=\"item-loop item-loop--post c-card  \">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"item__image c-card__image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"Schofield, Lynn 2500&#215;1667\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Schofield-Lynn-2500x1667-1-370x245.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 33vw, (min-width: 960px) 25vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Schofield-Lynn-2500x1667-1-540x340.jpg 540w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Schofield-Lynn-2500x1667-1-370x245.jpg 370w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Schofield-Lynn-2500x1667-1-270x170.jpg 270w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t<header class=\"item-loop__header c-card__header u-cc-teal\">\n\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/news\/oles-in-the-news-mpr-features-birding-and-climate-change-expert\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"c-card__link\"><span class=\"u-visual-hide\">Oles in the News: MPR features birding and climate change expert<\/span><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-card__category u-cc-teal\">Academics<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h3 class=\"item-loop__title c-card__title\">\n\t\t\tOles in the News: MPR features birding and climate change expert\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n        \n\t<\/header>\n\n<\/article>\n\n        \n    <\/div>\n\n    \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<p><!-- end-migrated-from-panel-builder --><\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>St. Olaf offers a strong and modern biology curriculum rooted in the liberal arts. Students not only develop a broad foundation in biology through core courses, but also achieve depth [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":209,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-748","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/748","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/209"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=748"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/748\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4992,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/748\/revisions\/4992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}