Biology Department

Welcome to the Department of Biology.

At Thiel College, biology majors receive personalized attention from expert professors who guide them in finding their ideal career paths. Our approach combines classroom learning with hands-on experiences, ensuring students are well-prepared for their future careers.

Our dedicated professors encourage students to engage in independent research, allowing them to produce original work and delve deeply into their interests. Through lab work and field-based courses, students tackle biological problems, develop their analytical skills, and enhance their ability to communicate complex ideas.

Thiel faculty focus on career-ready transferable skills valued by employers everywhere, including:

Students will be able to explain and apply fundamental concepts of the biological sciences.
Generate relevant and testable scientific questions, formulate testable hypotheses, and identify measurable predictions based on observations or previous research.
Identify, reflect upon, and evaluate assumptions, biases and alternative hypotheses or interpretations.
Communicate scientific information through effective modes (i.e., written, oral, graphical, multimedia), in ways that are appropriate for scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Learn to be a valued team member as you cultivate important interpersonal, decision-making, and leadership skills.

As students prepare to graduate, we offer personalized career development which includes mock interview sessions, business etiquette dinners, resume and cover letter writing seminars and so much more.

Undergraduate Programs of Study

Our biology program covers a wide array of sub-disciplines, from cellular biology and molecular biology to ecosystem studies. We also offer exercise science and a distinctive pathway to our physician assistant program with our health systems major. Here, you’ll gain the knowledge and experience needed to excel in the diverse field of biology.

Majors and Minors

Thiel’s biology department offers several different programs to fit each student’s interests.

Experiential Learning and Campus Activities

There are numerous internship opportunities that biology students can take advantage. Past students have even interned at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Many students present their research at conferences, such as the Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Biology Research Symposium, the Undergraduate Research at the Capitol Symposium and the Allegheny Branch of the American Society of Microbiology meeting.

Biology majors can apply for membership to Beta Beta Beta, the national biology honorary society. Tri-Beta Biology Society hosts dozens of events every year, including hands-on biology workshops with elementary school children.

Biology majors also can be inducted into The National Society of Leadership and Success.

The Health Professions Institute sponsors an extraordinary program of support and engagement for students desiring a career in the health professions. Small classes, intensive mentoring, early application of classroom knowledge to human health and well-being, and guided tours of the unique contributions of literature, philosophy, and the fine arts to the art and science of healing are hallmarks of the Health Professions Institute.

In their junior or senior year, many students take advantage of study abroad opportunities to broaden their perspectives and deepen their practical knowledge. These hands-on learning opportunities ensure students are equipped with the vital experiences that position them to start their career or pursue graduate education.

Learn more about the clubs and activities for education majors.

Career Opportunities

A biology degree can lead to many different careers, including those in healthcare, research, and education. Our department has a strong track record of helping students secure their first jobs after graduation. Faculty members work closely with students to develop their skills and knowledge, providing mentorship as they pursue various professional paths.