Biology

About Us

Biology encompasses the scientific study of life. Our courses cover the structure and function of organisms at the molecular, cellular, organismal, population and ecosystems levels.

A degree in biology is the first step into finding a career in one of the hundreds of growing fields in health sciences, biotechnology and environmental sciences; in government agencies concerned with resource management, environmental quality and medical research; and in educational institutions as teachers and laboratory technicians.

Why Study Biology at Eastern?

We are committed to excellence and student success.


Research Opportunities

Work with our excellent faculty to conduct important and meaningful research.

Hands-On Experience

Get your hands dirty in one of our labs as you study biology.

Excellent Job Opportunities

Our graduates have a great record of finding employment soon after graduation.

Biology

Study Biology through EWU and enjoy various opportunities to conduct important and meaningful research with our excellent faculty, gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art labs, and receive excellent job opportunities after graduation.

Student Highlights

Facilities

In addition to the facilities listed below, we have an ongoing Prairie Restoration Project, a state-of-the-art vivarium, a cadaver lab and functioning campus beehives.

Turnbull Lab

Turnbull Laboratory for Ecological Studies (TLES) is an ecological field station and research/educational facility located on the 15,500-acre Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge in the surrounding channeled scablands. Established in 1976, it works as a cooperative effort between Eastern Washington University and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its goal is to further our understanding of the biological processes shaping populations, ecological communities, and ecosystems of the Inland Northwest.

For more information, contact Camille McNeely at fmcneely@ewu.edu, Ross Black at rblack@ewu.edu, or Krisztian Magori at kmagori@ewu.edu.

Greenhouses

The Department of Biology has two greenhouses:

  • The Teaching Greenhouse consists of two glass rooms plus a large head house. It is used for student courses and houses a demonstration greenhouse plant collection.
  • The Research Greenhouse is a large, climate-controlled facility used for faculty and student research.

Aquarium Rooms

The Department of Biology has two modern aquarium rooms used for both faculty and student research:

  • One room contains six living streams and several marine tanks.
  • The other room, which can be photo-periodically regulated, has eight 300-gallon flow-through tanks with state-of-the-art temperature control.

Biotech Lab

In this well-equipped laboratory, students are immersed in the fundamentals of molecular biotechnology, mastering techniques such as pipetting, solution preparation, PCR, DNA and protein electrophoresis, restriction analysis, cloning, transformations, ELISAs, western blotting, and more. They not only acquire proficiency in these methodologies but also apply them to the production and evaluation of potentially therapeutic proteins. Through hands-on experience gained in the lab, our graduates become highly sought-after by biotech industry firms and research laboratories, regularly receiving enticing job offers.

Careers in Biology

Earning a degree, minor, or endorsement in biology from Eastern Washington University leads to many career opportunities:


Biotechnology

Environmental Quality

Health Sciences

Laboratory Technicians

Resource Management

Education

News & Events

Class Schedules

Check out the course offerings for 2024 or one of the tentative class schedules:

Events

Join the Biology Department for a Darwin Day Celebration

Friday February 16,2024

Presentation

Antarctica before dinosaurs: Triassic fossils from the bottom of the world.

By: Dr. Chris Sidor

At 2:30pm in ISC 009

Darwin Day Cake/Art Competition

At 3:30pm in ISC 301

Cake/Art Competition Entry Form

Darwin Cake and Art Entry Form

Thesis Defenses