Unlock the mysteries of life with our Biology Program!

Biology, the cornerstone of life's understanding, presents an exciting opportunity to unearth its enigmatic truths. At University of the Cumberlands, our Bachelor's Degree in Biology grants you access to a comprehensive exploration of diverse biological sciences, ranging from the intricacies of human life to the complexities of molecules, plants, and diseases.
Led by seasoned faculty, our program offers immersive courses and captivating experiments conducted within cutting-edge laboratories. Through hands-on learning experiences, access to private study spaces, and state-of-the-art computer labs, you'll thrive in an environment designed to foster academic excellence and ready you for the future.
Engage in research that resonates with your passion, uncover new revelations, and demonstrate the pervasive influence of biology on the world around us!

Anchor: Stats

By the numbers

$79,260

Average Salary

9%

Industry Growth

5

National Distinctions

16:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog

General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Hands-on research. Challenging internships. Incredible careers. Long-lasting relationships with mentors and colleagues who value you and inspire you. All these opportunities and more open up to you with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of the Cumberlands. You can even choose an emphasis area to better suit your degree to your personal interests and career goals: pre-professional health, education dynamics, cellular and molecular biology, biodiversity, or pre-physician assistant. 

Course Requirements

  • BIOL 111      Becoming a Successful Biologist  
  • BIOL 113     Introduction to Population Biology Laboratory  
  • BIOL 114     Introduction to Cellular Biology Laboratory  
  • BIOL 133     Introduction to Population Biology  
  • BIOL 134     Introduction to Cellular Biology  
  • BIOL 210     Introduction to Biological Literature 
  • BIOL 246     Biodiversity  
  • BIOL 340     Genetics  
  • BIOL 495     Senior Seminar OR BIOL 498 Senior Thesis  

MATH 132     College Algebra (or higher math course)  

CHEM 132     General College Chemistry I  

CHEM 111     General College Chemistry I Laboratory  

CHEM 232     General College Chemistry II  

CHEM 211     General College Chemistry II Laboratory 

BIOL 116     Environmental Science Laboratory  

BIOL 231     Environmental Science  

PHYS 241    Physics I  

PHYS 242    Physics II  

PHYS 137     Physical Science  

PHYS 117     Physical Science Laboratory  

Elective courses must total 18 hours at the 300 and 400 level.

A Bachelor of Arts requires all the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of four classes (12 hours) in a foreign language.

Choose one foreign language sequence:

FREN 131        Elementary French I

FREN 132        Elementary French II

FREN 231        Intermediate French I

FREN 232        Intermediate French II

 

SPAN 131        Elementary Spanish I

SPAN 132        Elementary Spanish II

SPAN 231        Intermediate Spanish I

SPAN 232        Intermediate Spanish II

Bachelor's in Biology – with an Emphasis

Some professions require additional schooling upon completion of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. A biology degree from Cumberlands offers the challenge, knowledge, and skills you need to step into a graduate program as you pursue a career in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary sciences, and physical therapy.

Course Requirements

The following courses are taken in addition to your Bachelor of Science in Biology to secure an emphasis.

Eighteen (18) hours of upper-level credit are required from the following choices:

BIOL 331     Vertebrate Embryology  

BIOL 342     Parasitology  

BIOL 345     Microbiology*  

BIOL 346     Biochemistry*  

BIOL 436     Medical Biochemistry  

BIOL 441     Immunology  

BIOL 442     Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy*  

BIOL 443     General Physiology*  

BIOL 445     Molecular Biology  

BIOL 446     Cell Biology in Health and Disease  

BIOL 447     Histology

* If you’re interested in pursuing medical, dental, or veterinary school after graduating from Cumberlands, you are strongly encouraged to complete these courses. Just remember: If you’re planning on applying to a specific graduate program, it’s important to review the admissions requirements for that program to ensure these programs match their required prerequisites. 

In addition to specified education courses (please see the course catalog for more details), you are required to complete 18 hours of upper-level credit from the following: 

CORE COURSES

BIOL 410    Teaching Practicum

BIOL 448    General Ecology (required unless you have completed BIOL 231)  

Electives

BIOL 342     Parasitology  

BIOL 345     Microbiology 

BIOL 346     Biochemistry 

BIOL 347     Invertebrate Zoology  

BIOL 349     Plant Biology  

BIOL 431     Conservation Biology  

BIOL 442     Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 

Requires 18 hours of upper-level credit from the following:  

BIOL 345     Microbiology  

BIOL 346     Biochemistry  

BIOL 445     Molecular Biology  

BIOL 446     Cell Biology in Health and Disease  

 

Recommended electives to meet 18 hours total:  

BIOL 331     Vertebrate Embryology  

BIOL 436     Medical Biochemistry  

BIOL 441     Immunology  

BIOL 447     Histology  

Requires 18 hours of upper-level credit from the following:  

BIOL 341     Plant Taxonomy  

BIOL 342     Parasitology  

BIOL 347     Invertebrate Zoology  

BIOL 349     Plant Biology  

BIOL 431     Conservation Biology  

BIOL 442     Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy  

BIOL 460     Ecological Field Methods  

BIOL 460     Dendrology  

BIOL 448     General Ecology 

The following courses are required prior to application for pre-professional students:  

BIOL 111      Becoming a Successful Biologist  

BIOL 113     Introduction to Population Biology Laboratory  

BIOL 114     Introduction to Cellular Biology Laboratory  

BIOL 121     Medical Terminology  

BIOL 133     Introduction to Population Biology  

BIOL 134     Introduction to Cellular Biology  

BIOL 210     Introduction to Biological Literature  

BIOL 443     General Animal Physiology  

BIOL 246     Biodiversity  

BIOL 340     Genetics  

*BIOL 343    Human Anatomy OR BIOL 442 - Comparative Anatomy  

BIOL 345    Microbiology  

CHEM 111    General Chemistry Laboratory I  

CHEM 132    General College Chemistry I  

CHEM 211    General College Chemistry Laboratory II  

CHEM 232    General College Chemistry II  

CHEM 321    Organic Chemistry Laboratory I  

CHEM 331    Organic Chemistry I  

Additional 6 or 10 credits of 300 or 400 level Biology courses, Upper-level Psychology courses, Statistics

*preferred for the Williamsburg Campus program but not required for the Northern Kentucky Campus program. 

Minor in Biology

Even a few courses in biology will prove useful to your life during and after college. No matter what career interests you have, the knowledge and skills you’ll gain from a biology minor will help you grow in your ability to perform research, think critically, solve problems, and build lasting professional relationships. It may also complement your future career and goals.   

Course Requirements

A total of 23 credit hours are required for a minor in biology.

  • BIOL 113     Introduction to Population Biology Laboratory  
  • BIOL 114     Introduction to Cellular Biology Laboratory  
  • BIOL 133     Introduction to Population Biology  
  • BIOL 134     Introduction to Cellular Biology  
  • BIOL 246     Biodiversity  

The remaining hours must be selected from biology courses numbered above 300. 

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The mission of the bachelor’s in biology degree program at University of the Cumberlands is to foster in students the knowledge and skills that will make them successful in various fields of service in the biological sciences.

Gain fundamental knowledge in modern concepts of biology.
Effectively use informational resources, perform intellectual research, and communicate authentic knowledge.
Demonstrate critical and analytical thought within the context of the scientific method.
Sharpen your communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Unveil the inner workings of living organisms and learn how they impact our lives.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Biology Careers & Outcomes

*All statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics

Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900

Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900

With a biology degree from University of the Cumberlands, you’ll have the solid scientific foundation you need to work in, and even manage, laboratories and scientific studies. The average median wage for Natural Sciences Managers is $137,900 per year with an expected growth rate of 6 percent by 2030.

High School Teacher: $61,820

High School Teacher: $61,820

With the right certification, you could teach high school biology. There is a growing need for qualified high school teachers, especially in scientific fields. High school teachers average a median salary of $61,820 a year, with a growth rate of 8 percent projected over most of the next decade.

Microbiologist: $79,260

Microbiologist: $79,260

As a microbiologist, you would study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and some types of parasites. Job growth is 9 percent, faster than the national average.

Zoologist/Wildlife Biologist: $64,650

Zoologist/Wildlife Biologist

You may choose to use your biology degree to work with wildlife. Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals, those both in captivity and in the wild, and how they interact with their ecosystems.

Physical Therapist: $95,620

Physical Therapist: $95,620

You may be interested in the medical side of biology, where you can work as a physical therapist helping injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.

Dietician/Nutritionist: $61,650

Dietician/Nutritionist: $61,650

With a degree in biology you can also choose a career as a dietitian and nutritionist, planning and conducting food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

Both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts – for all major degree programs at Cumberlands – require the exact same core classes. The difference is that, to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree, you also need to complete foreign language courses through the intermediate level.

After finishing your biology bachelor’s degree, you can continue your education in graduate and doctoral programs. This would prepare you for a career in a number of fields, including medicine, environmental studies, or biotechnology. All graduate degree programs look different, but they all require solid foundational knowledge in a relevant major, not to mention good time management skills and study habits – all of which you can perfect during your undergraduate journey at University of the Cumberlands. 

A number of jobs await graduates with a biology bachelor’s degree, and it is often a prerequisite for advanced medical or scientific degree programs. You can choose from a wide range of careers with your biology degree, such as teaching, zoology, or physical therapy, to name a few.

A degree in biology may be a perfect fit for you if you find yourself frequently asking questions about the world around you. Curiosity about the natural world and an interest in pursuing a career in areas like teaching, zoology, physical therapy, research, or the natural sciences is a strong sign that a biology degree program would be the right choice for you. 

Not only will a degree in biology help prepare you for careers in research or healthcare, but the skills you gain as a biology major will prove beneficial to any career you choose. Future employers will appreciate the observation, critical thinking, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that come with your background in biology, meaning you’ll have higher chances for better jobs with better pay! 

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Biology

Learn more about the professors you will interact with in the Department of Biology.

Emily Garland

Adjunct Professor
Biology

Emily Garland

Contact Information

emily.garland [at] ucumberlands.edu
Correll Science Center

Emily Brown

Adjunct Professor
Biology

Emily Brown

Contact Information

emily.brown [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
Dr. Leif Deyrup

Dr. Leif Deyrup

Assistant Professor
Biology

Dr. Leif Deyrup

Contact Information

leif.deyrup [at] ucumberlands.edu
Correll Science Complex B116

Request Information

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