Biology

Biology is the scientific study of all living things. It is an incredibly broad and varied discipline, including such subfields as ecology, genetics, evolution, molecular biology, physiology, botany and many more.

Biologists study natural phenomena in the laboratory and in the field, but the kind of work they do varies greatly with their area of specialization.  Ecologists, for example, might spend part of their year studying a wild animal or plant population in the field and then take their data back to a laboratory for detailed statistical analysis.  A microbiologist might work in a laboratory setting on a particularly interesting bacterium, virus or fungus.  Some of these may be pathogenic, but others may be beneficial, such as those organisms used to produce medicines or to clean up environmental contamination.  A geneticist may council prospective parents, or analyze large amounts of genetic information using computers.

Selkirk offers a strong, two-year university-level biology program with good transferability to all major receiving institutions; if you are interested in this field, you've come to the right college!

Careers

Studying biology can lead to many interesting and rewarding careers, though most require further education beyond the Bachelor of Science degree. Here is a very incomplete list of some of the possible biology-related professions:

Industrial Microbiologist – works in the food or brewing industry

Environmental Lawyer – advises government and private industry regarding resource use

Astrobiologist – studies the possibility of life on other planets

Occupational Therapist – applies knowledge of physiology and anatomy to workplace health

Nutritionist – works in a variety of areas to promote health and nutrition, or treat people with nutritional disorders

Paleobotanist – traces the evolutionary history of extinct plant life

There are many more possibilities! Feel free to ask a faculty member about any of your biology-related ambitions.

Major in Biology?

If you wish to major in biology, there are many options.  At Selkirk, we offer Associate of Science degrees in Biology and Biochemistry, both of which provide a full two years of lower level undergraduate course work towards you degree.