The Shepherd University Biology Department offers a comprehensive program of courses designed to prepare students for careers in biological research, graduate study, professional training and teaching. In consultation with faculty advisors, students design a program of upper level courses to match their interests. The required curriculum includes courses in plants, animals, cell biology, genetics, developmental biology and ecology.

Students interested in a minor in biology can choose from a traditional tract or a molecular tract.

Class sizes are small and faculty committed to providing personal attention to assist students in achieving their career goals. The program also offers students the opportunity to work directly with research equipment in laboratory courses that are taught in a new science building. Because class sizes are small all students have a "hands on" experience in the laboratory and nearly all courses have an associated laboratory.

All biology majors are required to complete a research internship, in which they will be involved with the design, conducting and reporting on a research project. Many of these projects are done at one of several national research laboratories located near Shepherd University. Alternatively, students may work with faculty members involved in research.

Students interested in the MedStep, DentStep, or PharmStep programs will find information about those programs on the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics web page.