Biology

Distinguished by small class sizes, collaboration with caring professors, and hands-on labs that accompany most classes, our biology major offers you excellent preparation for professional schools (medical, pharmacy, nursing, physician assistant programs, and others), M.S. and Ph.D. graduate programs, and a wide variety of jobs after graduation. Students gain a solid grasp of core biological principles, cultivate analytical skills, and develop their curiosity about the biological world.

Program Requirements

Degree Options

Major: 49 Total Credit Hours
Degree Type: Bachelor of Science (BS)

Minor: 18 Total Credit Hours

Careers

Dentist, Lab Technicain, Medical Doctor, Pharmacist, Physican Assistant, Physician, Professor, Teacher, Veterinarian

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Student Testimonials

“My time in the Georgetown Biology Department was much more than simply a foundation in the sciences—it was a pivotal step in becoming the physician I am today.

What stands out most to me is how intentional the professors were. They genuinely care about their students’ success, not simply in helping us understand biology, but in teaching us how to learn, study, think critically, and approach difficult problems. Their dedication was evident in the time they invested, the standards they held us to, and the way they challenged us to become better students, thinkers, and professionals.

Georgetown’s Biology Department taught me that learning is not about memorizing information for an exam; it is about understanding the “why” by asking better questions. We earned not only a Biology Degree, but also confidence, resilience, and integrity. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout medical school, residency, and now in my practice as a general surgeon.

I am incredibly grateful for the investment they made in me, my peers, and the future scientists to come!” — Stefan Iverson

“The faculty in the department believed in me and saw something in me I didn’t see. They gave me the courage to pursue graduate school, and the rest is history.” — Dr. Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Assistant Extension Director for Family and Consumer Sciences and Co-Director of the UK Food as Health Alliance

“Georgetown College Biology classes changed the way I thought, studied, and interacted with life. Each professor challenges you to become the best version of yourself while maintaining a mentor standpoint with students. As a graduate, I appreciate and respect each and every teacher in the biology department and applaud their commitment to the scholastic standing of each student.” — Isabella Billings

“My time in the Georgetown Biology Department was truly life-changing. The faculty truly sees, supports, and challenges their students to become the best version of themselves. I learned study habits that shaped how I studied in veterinary school and how I approach problems even today, focusing not on memorization but on understanding and applying what I was learning. As a first-year veterinarian, I am still applying those fundamentals to my everyday career!” — Alexandra Phillips

“Georgetown College Biology Department helped me realize my potential, even when I didn’t see it in myself. The faculty always felt like family, and whenever I see some of them in public, I stop to catch up with them. They provided me with opportunities to deepen my interest in microbiology, which eventually led to a promising career in Public Health.” — Danny Perry

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Off-Campus Travel Courses:
Tropical Biology Belize – Studying forest and coral reef ecology.
Paleobiology – Explore fossil beds spanning much of the evolution of multicellular life on a cross-country trip.
Natural History of Kentucky – Hike and boat through the state to learn how its geology and ecology have impacted centuries of human history.
Arrange your own travel course through one of our consortium partners.
Pre-Health Shadow Program: Receive course credit to follow local physicians or other health-care professionals as they conduct their daily work.
Research Opportunities:
Experience the thrill of discovery in a hands-on research-intensive course.
Conduct an independent study project with a professor at Georgetown College.
Study with researchers at institutions across the country, such as the National Institutes of Health, Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, or hundreds of other schools throughout the country through our Science Honors Program
Clubs and Organizations:
Biology Club – Hikes, canoe trips, service projects, movie nights, and much more
Georgetown Sustainability Initiative (GSI) – Work to create a more sustainable future
Greenhouse Group – Care for our amazing plants and bring your own
Pre-Vet Club – Meet animals and the people who care for them