Carleton biology majors are active, talented, and engaged, and exhibit an amazingly diverse range of interests. We feel fortunate to work with such motivated students and we strive to develop one-on-one mentoring relationships. After graduation, many of our students go on to graduate school in a variety of scientific fields such as Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Physiology, Neuroscience, Ecology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Development, and Plant Biology. Others choose the health professions or careers requiring a strong biology background such as environmental law/policy or science writing.
There are several great ways to get connected with the Bio Department. Whether you are curious about the major, are a newly declared major, or have been around for a while and just want to get more involved, you can feel free to join in. All are welcome!
- Sign up to receive our weekly online newsletter, The Nucleus.
- Attend our weekly seminars with guest speakers Mondays, 3:30-4:30 in 141 Olin.
- For academic information and help with choosing classes contact our SDAs.
- If you are a first or second year student who is curious about Biology reach out to our PEER Mentors and get on the PEER Mentor email list.
Info for First-Year Students
Students enter Carleton from a wide variety of academic experiences and our introductory courses are designed to provide a level playing field for students regardless of previous science background. Our introductory biology courses are infused with our efforts to teach students equitably and this drives the development of our courses.
Can I major in it?
Yes, a major is offered. Learn more about the biology major. Carleton also offers a Biochemistry minor and a Neuroscience minor, as well as support for a pre/med or pre/health path.
Topics explored
Biology offers courses that emphasize both the diversity and unity of life. This emphasis is coupled with an examination of the basic processes of biology, including the mechanisms of heredity, regulation, development, and evolution. Our majors consider biology from points of reference that reflect life’s different levels of organization, from biochemical and molecular, through cellular and organismic, to population and ecosystem levels. Topics include biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, physiology, development, immunology, neurobiology, behavior, evolution, and ecology.
How do I get started?
The Introductory Biology sequence consists of two courses, Biology 125 and 126, both of which are required before any further upper-level course work in Biology. The two courses can be taken in either order. Students who received a score of 5 on the AP Biology exam or a score of 6 or 7 on the IB Biology exam are exempted from Biology 125, and only need to take Biology 126 before taking upper-level Biology courses, though many elect to take BIOL 125 anyway.
In order to take Biology 126, you will need to take either Chemistry 123 or 128 (or place into 200-level chemistry). Before registering for Chemistry 123 or 128, you must take the online Placement Exam on the Chemistry department’s website.
BIOL 125 and 126 are sophomore priority courses. We strongly encourage you to start with chemistry or math during your first year, as well as explore the Carleton curriculum. Your first term (and year) at Carleton is a great opportunity to explore liberal arts opportunities and to work on your language and other requirements. Do not be concerned if you cannot enroll in a chemistry or biology course the first term.
Where can I get other questions answered?
The Biology Student Departmental Advisors (SDAs) are advanced biology majors who are trained to answer student questions about the biology curriculum. If an SDA cannot answer your question, contact the Department Chair, Raka Mitra.
Work in our state of the art labs
Biology is located in Carleton’s integrated science center, conveniently located in the center of campus. Hulings Hall is home to state-of-the-art labs, adjacent to Anderson Hall’s atrium, where students of all majors love to study, several study rooms, and a cafe. Biology classes are on the move too, visiting the Arboretum and nature in and around Northfield.
Student-Faculty Research
Faculty in the Biology department have active research programs that involve students in mentored, original research projects in the summer and during the academic year.
Dan Hernández
Dr. Hernández is an ecosystem ecologist studying grassland restoration and management and the ecosystem impacts of regenerative agriculture. His research team (the EcoCarls) investigates the patterns of carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling, the ecological role of grassland herbivores, and the ecosystem impacts of management strategies to control invasive species.
Angel Solis
Professor Solis is an immunologist interested in understanding the regulation of inflammation. His lab uses mammalian cell lines to study how the physical and chemical environment affects progression of inflammation and clearance of infection.
Rou-Jia Sung
Professor Sung is a molecular biochemist interested in the regulation of protein function. Her lab combines techniques from cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, protein biochemistry, and structural biology to study the function of the ly6 protein family (a novel family of regulatory proteins that share structural similarities with alpha neurotoxins) with the goal of understanding the role of ly6 proteins in potentially modulating neuronal function in C. elegans.
Learn More About Biology at Carleton
Newly published paper co-authored by Biology Professors Stephan Zweifel & Mark McKone, Arb Director Nancy Braker, and two Carleton alums.
Thea Traw ’25, Anna Ursin ’25, Nancy Braker (Director of the Cowling Arboretum), Mark McKone (Professor of Biology), and Stephan Zweifel (Professor of Biology) have published a paper titled “Genetic Evidence for Interspecific Hybridization in a Threatened Legume, Lespedeza leptostachya, in a Southern Minnesota Native Prairie Remnant” in the Natural Areas Journal.
Biology Professor Dan Hernández co-authors paper with two Carleton alums on the ecological impacts of regenerative agriculture.
Dan Hernández, Professor of Biology, Maya Gabor ’24 (Geology), and Maya Hofmann ’23 (Biology), published a paper titled, “Poultry grazing accelerates the ecological benefits of perennialization in a regenerative agroforestry system” in the journal Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems.
Biology Professor Daniel Hernández to collaborate on USDA Climate-Smart Commodities project
Daniel Hernández, professor of biology, has received a subaward through the USDA NRCS Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program.
Biology Associate Professor Rika Anderson ’06 co-authors paper on deep ocean microbial “jumping genes” with Carleton student and alums.
Rika Anderson ’06, associate professor of biology, Troy Osborn ’25, and alumni Juntao Zhong ’23, Thais del Rosario Hernández ’20, and Sasha Kyrysyuk ’20 published a paper titled, “Increasing transposase abundance with ocean depth correlates with a particle-associated lifestyle” in the journal mSystems.