Undergraduate Studies
Biological Sciences’ Core Curriculum
The core curricula of our different majors include foundational coursework in mathematics, chemistry and physics with concomitant exposure to concepts fundamental to all living things at several levels of organization. Upper division electives allow students to explore natural history, anatomy/physiology, molecular/cellular/developmental biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and quantitative/integrative biology.
Advising and Registration
As you go about the process of choosing a university and a major, there are many factors to be considered. View this site for information about undergraduate advising.
If you need further help with advising and registration, please email questions to the academic advising center.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
For information about financial aid or scholarships, visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office or call 208-885-6312.
Research Opportunities
From your first semester as an undergraduate major in the Department of Biological Sciences, you will be encouraged to seek opportunities to work on research projects with department faculty. You will learn about faculty research and opportunities for undergraduate involvement in the BIOL 101 course.
Participation in research projects will help you define your interests in biology, allow you to apply knowledge from the classroom to address important problems, and build your scientific and social networks. Undergraduate researchers learn how to do science, from planning to analysis and presenting results in written and oral formats. You may also have an opportunity to present your data at a scientific conference or be a co-author on a peer-reviewed scientific publication.
All of these are good reasons for getting involved in research and will help give you a competitive edge when seeking admission to advanced degree programs as diverse as medicine, molecular biology and evolutionary ecology.
Even if you are not able to take advantage of the opportunity to work in one of the research labs during your undergraduate career, the department's courses will provide you with laboratory experiences ranging from molecular techniques to comparative anatomy and field work.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from any of the majors in Biological Sciences will be exceptionally prepared to enter any profession in the field of life sciences.
For a good overview of the careers and job prospects awaiting successful graduates in the biological sciences, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, Life/Physical/Social Science section.
For BLS’s Occupational Employment Statistics pages, go to: