Biology Major, B.A.

It is widely accepted that the future of our economy rests with the STEM disciplines: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. If you want to ignite a passion in young people for understanding the natural world by teaching, or you’d like a major in a natural science that’s less chemistry-intensive, consider MSU Denver’s bachelor of arts degree in Biology.

MSU Denver’s Biology department offers courses in the entire spectrum of the biological sciences, a discipline that has grown exponentially over the past few decades and now includes cell and molecular biology, human anatomy and physiology, genetics, ecology, zoology, microbiology and botany. You will have the opportunity to participate in research projects with your professors, take study abroad courses, and intern at various organizations.

Housed in the state-of-the-art Science Building on the Auraria Campus adjacent to downtown Denver, MSU Denver’s Biology Department has 14 teaching labs and five research labs with optimal instrumentation, including:

• Genetic Analyzer/DNA Sequencer
• Scanning Electron Microscope
• UV-Vis spectrophotometers
• Quantitative PCR Systems
• PCR thermal cyclers, gel boxes and gel imaging systems
• Herbarium
• Bright-field, Phase-contrast, and Indirect Immunofluorescence Microscopes
• Biological safety cabinets and growth chambers
• Dedicated cold room

MSU Denver students earning a B.A. in Biology with an interest in teaching K-12 can opt to concurrently study education, pursuing secondary teacher licensure. A B.A. in Biology can also be used to pursue careers in zoology and conservation work.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, below are some examples of the mean average salary in the Denver metro area as a graduate of MSU Denver’s B.A. Biology program:

• Secondary school teacher – $66,580
• Zoologists and wildlife biologists – $64,650
• Conservation scientists, $63,750