Biology - Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre
Associate Professor of Biology Norma Velazquez-Ulloa looks over a research sample with Asia Wooten BA ’20.
Home / Academics / Biology Biology We want our students to do biology, not just read about it. Hands-on study is the best possible training for a career in biology and the best way to become a scientifically literate citizen. You will learn tangible skills that apply across disciplines, all while benefiting from our proximity to Oregon Health & Science University and the diverse natural environments of the Pacific Northwest. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Degree in Biology? Our innovative and comprehensive program emphasizes original research and critical thinking. You will generate hypotheses, design studies, collect data in the lab and the field, analyze and interpret the results, and communicate your findings through talks, posters, and papers. Our classrooms and labs rely on cutting-edge tools in microscopy, physiology, computational biology, and molecular biology. We also offer robust opportunities for experiential learning through fieldwork, internships, and paid student-faculty research. Our students graduate with a degree in biology and excellent career preparation skills, knowing how to write grants, read scientific literature critically, reason quantitatively, and work in teams. Apply Visit What You’ll Study Our curriculum embraces all of biology, from molecules to ecosystems, and draws on other fields, like chemistry, mathematics, and psychology. We believe in working closely with our students both in the classroom and our laboratories, providing opportunities rarely available to undergraduates. Many of our students—unlike students at other schools—earn course credit toward their biology degree while on an overseas program. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, there are programs designed and led by biology faculty to Australia , East Africa , and New Zealand . Outside the classroom, many biology students get involved in research , by either collaborating with one of their professors or pursuing their own investigations off-campus. We provide extensive guidance to help students find and secure these opportunities. Each fall, students present their work to the campus community at a poster conference. We have a seminar series that regularly brings biologists to campus to speak about new areas of research. Our natural history collection—curated by students—includes specimens of plants, fungi, insects, birds, and mammals from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading...
Favorite Class
Ecology with Assistant Professor Heidi Liere
I love learning about our natural world, and I think Professor Liere brings a lens that I haven’t been able to see before in science classes.
Understanding How We Understand the Maya with Assistant Professor David Galaty
Professor Galaty’s passion for his subject was exceptionally clear. While we looked at an ancient society that has persisted to this day, we never exhausted the multitude of modern issues they’ve faced like indigenous rights, the roles of Indigenous societies in the world of expanding liberal economies, gentrification, piety, and so on. What made this course special was its focus on a forgotten people and the passion with which the subject was taught.
This class expanded my perspective of and interest in the field of neuroscience. The brain is such a complex and interesting part of the human body that fascinates me. This class has allowed me to view aspects of the world in a different manner.
Biology 201 with Visiting Assistant Professor Emma Wear
This is an introductory biology class that focuses on larger scale environmental patterns. I like this class because it explains a lot of natural phenomenons that we see in the outdoors all the time.
Biology, Core Concepts: Mechanisms with Professor Tamily Weissman-Unni
It was one of the first classes I’d been in where we were having conversations about diversity and discrimination in the STEM fields. It was really great to have an enthusiastic professor who cared about the material and our understanding of it.
I learned how scientists think through problems and how they make decisions about experimental designs to answer specific questions. I gained a new understanding of what the scientific method is and why each part plays a specific role in creating new knowledge.
Investigations in Ecology and Environmental Science with Professor Bierzychudek
Professor Bierzychudek had so much passion for getting her hands dirty! It was so fun! She taught her students how to grow plants from seed, and watching that happen was miraculous for a desert city kid like myself.
It’s not close to my major at all but this is how a liberal arts school expands your interests that you did not even know you had. This class created a space for all of us to comfortably learn and speak the language without the anxiety of others’ judgment and fostering a safe learning space.
This class opened my eyes to the importance of preserving invertebrate biodiversity in the face of climate change. Professor Binford’s passion for these often-overlooked animals has completely shifted my understanding of life on Earth. The opportunity to go on an overnight camping field trip to collect live specimens was a learning experience I will never forget.
Biological Core Concepts: Systems with Visiting Assistant Professor Emma Wear
It was a great introduction to ecology, evolution, and the more complex parts of biology. I love the way it has expanded how I view the world around me and helped solidify my passion for biology.
Philosophy and the Environment with Professor Jay Odenbaugh
I loved the discussion-based class environment and the different environmental topics we covered, such as the ethics of renewable energy and moral obligations towards the environment. The class was a great way for me to think about my environmental interests in a new way.
Paradoxes of Reading with Professor Michael Mirabile.
I really enjoyed the class because of the structure. Throughout the semester, we read a wide range of texts and then had discussions on said texts. I enjoyed hearing the professor’s and my peers’ thoughts and enjoyed getting to share my own.
Medicine, Healing, and Culture with Assistant Professor Sepideh Bajracharya
As a STEM student, this sociology and anthropology class was very different from anything I had ever taken before. It was extremely mind expanding, and I now think about and approach subjects in a completely new way.
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors The most popular minors for our biology majors are environmental studies , health studies , and neuroscience . What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark I find that being a biology major you really get a bit of everything from science to ethics. You are able to put your thoughts into action with experiments that differ from each biology class and even potentially be able to conduct your own research. May Rah BA ’28 Biology | Portland, Oregon More about May Biology is such a broad major, and there are so many professors with different specialties. There is likely something for everyone, or the professors know how to get a student in contact with someone more specialized in their interest. Lucca Gleason-Geise BA ’27 Biology | Health Studies | Woodinville, Washington More about Lucca I love how engaged all of my biology professors are with the material. They are excited about the class and want their students to love it as much as they do. Jemma Montgomery BA ’23 Biology | Minneapolis, Minnesota More about Jemma What Can You Do With a Degree in Biology? Our alumni use their BA in biology in a wide variety of careers, including research, medicine, public health, natural resource management, teaching, and law. They work in academia, in industry, with nonprofits, and for local, state, and federal governments. Many of them apply the skills they have acquired in problem solving, critical thinking, writing, and speaking to fields other than biology. Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. Biology faculty rely on their students to be collaborative researchers in the lab, providing an opportunity that’s rarely available to undergraduates at other schools. Students are frequent coauthors on peer-reviewed faculty publications and professional presentations. Meet the Professors Students are the life force of my research lab, and I want them to become independent scientists through being fully engaged in all aspects of the scientific process. Assistant Professor of Biology Sharon Torigoe More about Sharon 4-5-6 Lewis & Clark’s 4-5-6 Commitment can help you make the most of your future. 96% Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Class of 2024 was already changing the world through employment (71%), continuing studies (22%), and service work (3%), like the Peace Corps. 16% first-generation students at Lewis & Clark College Top Lewis & Clark earned a spot on Princeton Review’s 2026 “Best Colleges” list . 52 nationalities represented in our undergraduate student body Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think . Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate in four years with their bachelor of arts degree that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition. The Kent Swanson Jr. Biology Scholarship benefits junior and senior students majoring in biology who have demonstrated financial need and interest in the outdoors, environmental conservation, and the arts. Find Your People Students can join a variety of student-run organizations that relate to their biology major, like Math Club, Physics Club , and Pre-Health Club . Don’t see what you’re looking for on the club list? Start something new and build your own community of peers! Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You Lewis & Clark prepared me by helping me with my critical-thinking skills. All of the jobs I have had post graduation were easier and more enjoyable due to this skill. I have always had an innate sense of curiosity, but L&C really helped me hone it. William Witmer BA ’20 Biology | Phoenix, Arizona More about William Lewis & Clark gave me the solid foundation that I needed to pursue my passions in biology. My focus at L&C had always been ecology, but with the addition of labs, electives, and my math minor, I had the freedom to go wherever I pleased within the field. Olivia Weaver BA ’22 Biology | Mathematics | Downers Grove, Illinois More about Olivia I just finished my first year of medical school, and thanks to L&C, I already knew how to analyze scientific literature and be curious. Samantha Bowen BA ’20 Biology | Tigard, Oregon More about Samantha Featured News CBS News ‘Sunday Morning’ Features L&C’s Moss Week From themed cupcakes to a Moss Petting Zoo, Lewis & Clark’s annual Moss Week made for memorable television on the April 5 edition of CBS News Sunday Morning . The feature highlights the playful spirit and scientific wonder behind one of campus’s most distinctive traditions. Read the story More News and Events → Tamily Weissman-Unni Professor of Biology, department Chair weissman@lclark.edu 503-768-7994 LC.BiologyDepartment Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
