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.
Learn More
Studying biology at Washington College offers many unique opportunities.
Our department has two honor societies. We have summer programs for on-campus research and experiences abroad. Many biology students also choose to do off-campus internships that give them additional practical experience.
Student Opportunities
Faculty expertise is widespread and students play an integral part in faculty research programs.
Explore our research and teaching facilities.
The Department of Biology occupies two floors on the southern end of John S. Toll Science Center—a $26 million state-of-the-art facility completed in Fall 2005. We also utilize laboratory spaces in the Semans-Griswold Environmental Hall, completed in 2019.
Explore related programs at Washington College and partnerships at other institutions.
Dual-Degree Programs & Post-Graduate Partnerships
Pre-Health Professions Programs
Biology in the News
Bi-coastal Biology
October 25 2018From 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 2019In 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 2021The 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.