BA/BS in Biology, General

Biology at Bates is taught by dedicated educators who also contribute to scholarship in their fields. The program is designed so that graduates understand living systems across scales, from cells and genomes to whole ecosystems. A rigorous yet widely accessible STEM education sits at the center of the approach. Coursework covers the full range of the discipline, and advanced study lets each student zero in on a chosen area. Research-oriented courses and senior capstone projects ask students to pose questions and pursue answers independently. Some classes concentrate on a single practical technique, while faculty mentorship remains close throughout. Summer laboratory and field work allows learning to continue well beyond the regular academic calendar. Graduates leave with transferable skills in experimental design, data handling and scientific communication, preparing them for graduate study, health professions, environmental work and beyond.