Director of undergraduate studies:
Vivian Irish (MCDB), 754 KBT, 203-432-3839, catherine.blackmon@yale.edu, www.biology.yale.edu

Leo Buss (EEB), 101A OML, 203-432-3837,
maureen.cunningham@yale.edu, www.eeb.yale.edu

The Major in Biology at Yale University
The life sciences have an underlying cohesiveness that spans the domains of molecules, cells, organisms, and ecosystems and includes investigating the natural processes responsible for the diversity of living forms. Biology is currently undergoing an explosion of discovery, with implications for the analysis and treatment of human disease, biotechnology, and the capacity to recognize and deal with human impact on the environment.

The departments of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) offer the major in biology jointly. Each department offers an area of concentration within the major that reflects its perspectives and approaches to research while allowing students flexibility in drawing electives from both departments. There are also two interdisciplinary tracks¾in biotechnology and neurobiology¾offered within the MCDB area of concentration. The major offers B.A., B.S., intensive B.S., and combined B.S./M.S. programs, the latter two for students who wish to devote more time to research.

Yale is a leading institution for research in the biological sciences, and during their stay at Yale, students have many opportunities to carry out independent research under the supervision of faculty members. In addition to the EEB and MCDB departments, there are over 200 bioscience laboratories on the Yale campus, including those at the School of Medicine and the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Hence, the research topics that undergraduates can pursue are as diverse as the interests of the entire bioscience community at Yale. Subjects studied include molecular genetics and biochemistry, developmental biology, neurobiology, human physiology, plant science, organismic biology, evolution, systematics, and ecology. Research is usually taken for either course credit and/or performed during the summer. In addition to lecture, seminar, and research courses, students may arrange tutorials to study topics not covered by the traditional curriculum. Finally, students are encouraged to attend departmental seminars featuring lectures on the research of the Yale faculty and of visiting scientists.

The teaching and research facilities in biology are distributed in three buildings, Osborn Memorial Laboratories, Kline Biology Tower, and the Environmental Science Facility. There are about 55 faculty members, 79 postdoctoral fellows, and 83 graduate students and approximately 300 Biology majors that work and study in these buildings. The quality and breadth of expertise in this biological community has made Yale a premier center for both students and scientists.

What can being a Biology Major do for me?
The major in biology contributes to a liberal education as well as providing excellent preparation for a wide range of professional careers in medicine, public health, the pharmaceutical industry, science writing, teaching, conservation, as well as biological research. Biology undergraduates at Yale have a high rate of acceptance at medical and graduate schools. Today, with the use of genetic testing in court cases, the patenting of biological products, and procedures for assessing environmental impact, this major can also be helpful in law and business careers.