Biological Sciences

Biology is the study of life. It is an integrative discipline encompassing topics ranging from molecules and cells to organs, organisms, and ecosystems. The Department of Biological Sciences at Mount Holyoke College offers students courses spanning this entire range. Students can also explore related interests through affiliated programs such as neuroscience and behavior or biochemistry.

Biology at Mount Holyoke operates within an interconnecting Science Center housing state-of-the-art facilities. The department has 12 full-time faculty whose research ranges from cytoskeletal dynamics during development and antiviral immune responses to AIDS, to the biomechanics of animal movement and invasive species ecology. Hands-on laboratory experience is central to our curriculum, and many of our students also engage in independent research with a faculty member before graduating.

Biology majors will explore the full range of the discipline and gain ample research and laboratory experience. Ultimately, they are provided with the foundations for success in diverse careers, including medicine, biotechnology, environmental conservation, and public policy.