Biological Sciences

Division of Biological Sciences

Welcome to the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Washington Bothell. The Bachelor of Science in Biology degree provides students with a foundation that will enable them to pursue careers or graduate study in medicine, dentistry, health professions, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, ecology, biology, and biology education.

Kristina Hillesland, Chair of the Division of Biological Sciences.

Curriculum

The curriculum combines theory with hands-on experience that draws on the University of Washington Bothell’s strengths: small classes; strong faculty-student mentorship; integrative, problem-based teaching approaches; and research and internship opportunities outside the classroom.

Have questions? Contact the Biology Advisor!

Undergraduate Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing a degree in Biology at the University of Washington Bothell will be able to demonstrate and articulate mastery in the following areas.

Biological concepts and content

  • The processes that drive evolutionary change and diversification, and the meaning and relevance of shared ancestry among all living organisms
  • The mechanisms of transmission and storage of information that allow organisms to develop, adjust to changing conditions, and evolve over time
  • Transformations of energy and matter between inorganic and organic states, within and between organisms, and through ecosystems
  • The relationship between structure and function, from the level of molecules through organisms to biological communities
  • The interconnected and interacting nature of biological systems, from gene expression to ecosystem function

Intellectual and technical skills

  • Formulate questions based on observations, generate hypotheses, and design appropriate tests of those hypotheses
  • Understand, evaluate, and generate graphical representations of data
  • Analyze data and draw appropriate conclusions from statistical tests
  • Use mathematical and computational tools to describe biological systems
  • Effectively access, critically evaluate, and use scientific literature; assess claims made in popular media
  • Apply technical skills gained during research, such as laboratory, field, or modeling skills
  • Reflect on and express the strengths and limitations of science as a way of understanding our universe

Communication and collaboration

  • Clearly communicate scientific concepts and findings to both general and technical audiences
  • Bring and express a scientific perspective to issues of general concern, including political, social, and ethical dimensions of life and society
  • Collaborate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, skills, and worldviews