Biology
Explore your scientific passions and customize a path that reflects your goals.
Biology at Stephens includes pre-med and pre-vet emphasis areas. Whether you want to be a research scientist or prepare for nursing, veterinary medicine, dental or medical school, Stephens is the place to pursue your dreams.
Program Features
- Learn vital laboratory and biotechnology skills in our newly renovated Pillsbury Science Center labs.
- Collaborate with Biology and Health Science students and learn from dedicated faculty as part of the School of Health Sciences.
- Get a solid science foundation that prepares you for medical, veterinary medicine, dental or other professional schools.
- Join Beta Beta Beta (Tri Beta), the biology honor society.
Stephens’ Small Class Advantage
- Faculty who know you can better personalize your curriculum path, help you make connections, give referrals and recommendations, and answer questions about your graduate school applications.
- Research opportunities are available even for first-year students.
- Small class sizes make for interesting class discussions within an environment that welcomes questions.
- Students have more opportunities to take on leadership roles.
- Studying science at a women’s college has a specific advantage: Why STEM students choose women’s colleges >
By attending an all-women’s college, I was able to grow my love for science. I never felt worried about asking questions. The support from my Stephens sisters and professors allowed for a wonderful educational experience.”
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Stephens Women
Finding Their Path
Carissa Stevens ’21, Undergraduate Outstanding Research Award recipient
As a second-year college student, Carissa Stevens ’21 received the undergraduate Outstanding Research Award at the Central States Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in October 2019.
Stevens said, “By conducting this study on heart rate variability techniques with Dr. Moffitt (dean of the School of Health Sciences), I feel like I’ve broken in my researcher shoes a little bit.”
Dr. Michelle Schultz DeBoer ’12
teaches as an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She said: “My time at Stephens taught me dedication and perseverance, as well as the value of hard work. Not only were the small class sizes and personal attention fundamental in creating a solid knowledge base, but my time spent at the barn and on the back of a horse helped ignite my passion for horses even further and encouraged me to pursue my Ph.D. in Equine Nutrition.”
Dana Heggemann, Physician Assistant and two-time Stephens graduate
Dana Heggemann ’16 B.S., ’18 M.P.A.S. started as a biology student at Stephens and went on to enroll in the first class of Stephens’ Physician Assistant program.
Heggemann said: “By attending an all-women’s college, I was able to grow my love for science. I never felt worried about asking questions. The support from my fellow students and professors allowed for a wonderful educational experience.”
Stephens’ graduates who meet qualifications for the program are guaranteed an interview with the PA program.
Dr. Amanda Adams ’03, associate professor at the University of Kentucky, Gluck Equine Research Center
“As part of the biological sciences program at Stephens, my internship requirement opened the doors to my career path in research. I spent two summers working with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica with its Equine R&D group learning how to make vaccines for horses. That experience led me to pursue my Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky and then continue on as a postdoctoral scholar. I was then offered a position as a research assistant professor. … It has been quite an exciting journey and thanks to Stephens, I am always trying to pave the way for women in our department to be leaders. Stephens instilled in me that I can be a strong, confident woman, even in the world of veterinary science.”
Gigi Kreibich ’17
works as a rare-disease researcher at the University of Minnesota in the organic chemistry department. She said: “The biggest thing Stephens did to prepare me was surprisingly not academic but rather through its public speaking and networking training. Thanks to Stephens’ close-knit faculty and staff and exemplary networking and communications coaching, I was much better prepared for the social aspect of job hunting and collaborative research.”
Taylor Edwards ’17, graduate student in the Stephens College M.P.A.S. program
“I am so happy that I chose Stephens College as my home for my undergraduate career. The faculty and staff have always pushed me to be my best, whether that meant dedicating their office hours to teaching me about organic compounds or writing a recommendation letter for an application. I always felt supported, even after I graduated.”
Before applying for graduate school, Taylor first worked as a certified nursing assistant and earned her EMT-B license. She’s worked in the University of Missouri Hospital’s emergency department, a Level I Trauma Center.
Katie Sharp ’15
The world needs more students like Katie Sharp ’15. She found her way to an internship at Cancer Research Center with the help of one-on-one attention. That inspired her to pursue her M.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry. Now, she’s pursuing her Ph.D. in Education Sciences with a STEM emphasis. She plans to take that knowledge and help the next generation of young women find its way in the sciences, too.
Dr. Jacqueline Shellow ’81
works as an equine veterinarian at TFB Equine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After Stephens, she earned a M.S. in Equine Nutrition from the University of Kentucky and a D.V.M. from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Jacqueline said: “Stephens helped me achieve my career success by taking an interest in me and allowing me to excel and achieve my goals. My adviser and teachers at Stephens were very supportive and encouraging.”
Learn More
Biology
Dr. Mary Amanda Haskins,
Assistant Professor and Program Chair
Assistant Professor and Program Chair