Biology at F&M

Biology is an exciting, expanding discipline offering a broad and advancing frontier between the known and the undiscovered. 

Through the links on this page, you will be able to explore the majors available to students at F&M who are interested in the biological sciences, as well as learn more about the department’s faculty and our research interests.  We are excited to have students work with us in the lab or the field, and we welcome your questions about the department, our curricula, our resources, and our research.

​

Our Majors

Biology

The BIO major provides students the opportunity to develop a holistic understanding of the structures and processes of living organisms, through access to introductory and advanced courses covering a wide range of topics.  

Read More

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The BMB major is directed towards students who have a strong interest in biological processes at the molecular and sub-cellular levels.  The BMB major combines core and elective courses from both the Biology and Chemistry departments.

Read More

Biological Foundations of Behavior

Students pursuing the Neuroscience and the Animal Behavior majors through the BFB program make significant contributions to our collective understanding of the nervous system and behavior through biomedical and non-invasive behavioral research and course work. 

Read More

Public Health

Public Health is an interdisciplinary major offered by the Biology and Government departments. Public health is linked to the formulation and implementation of public policy, thus connecting science and government at its core. 

Read More

Environmental Science/Environmental Studies

The Environmental Science and Environmental Studies majors are based in the Department of Earth and Environment; as interdisciplinary programs, they include a number of core and advanced courses from the Biology Department.  

Read more

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is a new and rapidly-expanding field at the intersection of biology, chemistry, computer science, and applied mathematics.  The Bioinformatics program at F&M represents a collaboration between the Biology and Computer Science departments, and students interested in bioinformatics can follow a joint major to attain a degree in the...

Read More

Special Majors

There are a number of additional possibilities for a student interested in biological sciences and wishing to tailor a major focusing on a particular subject or connections between two or more disciplines. 

Read More

Information for Students

Resources for Current Students

Find guidance about career paths, off-campus study opportunities, departmental policies, and other information for students interested in the biological sciences...

Read More

Research Opportunities

There are a wide variety of research opportunities for students majoring in, or interested in majoring in Biology and our associated programs.  Learn about both summer  and academic-year research opportunities with F&M faculty, as well as off-campus research programs.

Read More

News and Events

Seminars and Newsletters

Visit this page for a list of upcoming departmental seminars. Past issues of the departmental newsletter are also available on this page.

Read more

Learning Outcomes in Biology 

Learning outcomes for students graduating from the Biology Department at F&M...

The Pulse
Story 5/2/2023

Alum Oversees Wildlife at Zion National Park

Wolves, bear, bison, elk – F&M alumna Janice Stroud-Settles ’00 has studied them all as the wildlife program manager for Zion National Park.

Read More
Story 4/18/2023

Guns, Place and Public Health: A Conversation

Alumnus Charles Branas '90 will lead an April 20 Common Hour conversation on gun violence and potential solutions.  See his path from F&M to epidemiology.

Read More
Story 2/15/2023

Darwin Originals On Loan at F&M

First-edition Charles Darwin monographs are available to view at F&M through Feb. 24 thanks to the generosity of former F&M board chair Dr. Lawrence Bonchek and Dr. Rita Bonchek.

Read More