Biology

Purdue University in West Lafayette

A major in biology is based in a curriculum that gives students the maximum flexibility to design a plan to suit their individual needs and interests. The flexibility in course work matches the flexibility in career options.

A bachelor of science degree in biology provides excellent preparation for careers in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries and is a springboard for admission to advanced degree programs or professional schools in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine.

Faculty Spotlight: Richard Kuhn

Purdue researchers leap to discover more about coronavirus

As the novel coronavirus pandemic approaches 1 million cases worldwide, Purdue University researchers have launched more than 30 research projects and have applied for funding for nearly 20 additional projects....

Richard Kuhn, Purdue's Trent and Judith Anderson Distinguished Professor in Science and the Krenicki Family Director of the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, said that a wide variety of Purdue researchers have come forward saying that they are working to understand, prevent, treat, and overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Some of our researchers are part of national or international collaborative research projects, and some launched research just with their labs, many establishing internal Purdue teams. Either way, we've had an outpouring of researchers who are doing what they can to address this global problem."

Kuhn, who chairs Purdue's Coronavirus Research Task Force, is editor-in-chief of the scientific journal Virology.

Biology, BS

Biology Webpage

Transfer to Biology

Purdue admits to individual majors. Transfer students must meet Purdue's overall transfer criteria, as well as any major-specific requirements. Before you apply, check the closed programs page to confirm this major is open to transfer students. If it is, refer to the information below for major-specific transfer criteria.

Minimum GPA: 2.5

Additional Requirements: Completion of at least one semester of college-level calculus with a grade of C or higher.

Contact Information

Director of Recruiting, College of Science
(765) 494-1990
sciencerecruiting@purdue.edu

College of Science

Careers in Biology

Approximately 25% of biology students proceed directly to graduate school in biology or biology-related fields. About 45% go on to schools of medicine, veterinary medicine, or dentistry.

Still others go directly to work in a broad variety of fields. These include research or applied science positions in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Some become high school teachers, go into sales, or work for governmental regulatory agencies, zoos, or parks.