Environmental Biology degree | Washburn University

Why study Environmental Biology at Washburn?

Environmental biologists focus at the organismal and environmental system level, and as an environmental biology student at Washburn, you’ll learn with experts in the fields of entomology, herpetology, plant genetics, and conservation. With a faculty mentor in your area of interest, you’ll complete at least one semester of research, which may be lab or field based. Internships also are available with our many partners, including The Topeka Zoo. You’ll graduate with experience and the technical skills and knowledge you need to begin your career.

Career Forecast Growing OutlookAverage Salary $73,230on campus

What sets Biology at Washburn apart?

Learn from field experts not graduate students in small classes that help you thrive.
Washburn’s Karlyle Woods field station means you can be in the field and close to home. Experiential field work opportunities in other areas also are available for qualified students.
Biology Department Scholarships are available to incoming and returning majors.
Find your people on campus with one of four biology student clubs.
Graduate with research experience guided by a faculty mentor, which could lead to a conference presentation or publication.

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Admissions scholarships

Washburn University offers generous scholarships based on your interests, career aspirations, community service and academic success.

Biology department scholarships

The biology department offers a variety of scholarships based on academic performance and career pursuits. New and transfer students are eligible. Applications are due early in the spring.

Admissions scholarships
Admissions scholarships
Biology department scholarships
Biology department scholarships

Tuition and fees

Courses in this program are offered at the Traditional Undergraduate rate.

Financial aid

Washburn University offers generous undergraduate financial aid, including scholarships and grants.

Tuition waivers

If you don’t currently live in Kansas, learn about our Tuition Waiver programs that may qualify you for in-state tuition.

Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees
Financial aid
Financial aid
Tuition waivers
Tuition waivers

Curious about field work?

Dr. Benjamin Reed and environmental biology students are tracking box turtles in the region. Read more about the project from the Ichabod Magazine.

Read more about the project

Degree options:

Bachelor of Science

University and general education requirements
44 credit hours in biology
- 23 credit hours of environmental biology core requirements, plus
- 21 credit hours of biology electives, plus
- 3 credit hours of a quantitative course, plus
Required 30-hour natural science concentration
- 20 credit hours in one discipline

Sample schedule (PDF)

Major map (PDF)

Degree requirements

Bachelor of Arts

University and general education requirements
38 credit hours in biology
- 23 credit hours of environmental biology core requirements, plus
- 15 credit hours of biology electives
Foreign language competency requirement (see required courses)

Sample schedule (PDF)

Major map (PDF)

Degree requirements

Fill out the Undergraduate Admissions Application and enroll to pursue biology. It's common to declare a major in biology at enrollment and then determine your specific interest.

Conduct research with a faculty mentor and plan to present and/or publish your findings.

The best things you can do to succeed in biology at Washburn are: attend class regularly, complete assignments and develop strong study routines, come to class prepared, and access free tutoring and professor office hours when you have questions.

Washburn Career Engagement offers resume workshops and career fairs to help connect you with opportunities.

11% of environmental biology majors in the last five years have gone right to graduate school right graduation.

Washburn's Biology program offers specialization in:

Biology

This is right for you if you want a strong foundation in biology but aren't ready to choose a specialty area, or want to combine it with another major.