Biobridge > Declaring

Majoring in Biology

Biology is a diverse and exciting field. Both as preparation for specific professional careers and as the focus of a general liberal arts curriculum, a major in Biology is an excellent choice for many Stanford students. The Biology major can serve as a stepping-stone for a wide variety of career opportunities. For students planning to attend medical, dental, or veterinary school, or graduate school in biological and applied sciences, the biology major provides a strong foundation in the basic life sciences. This foundation of knowledge, plus laboratory experience, also prepares students well for research and technical positions in universities, government, and industry. The recent tremendous growth in the biotechnology industry has opened up many additional career opportunities for individuals with a background in biology, including marketing and scientific writing. In addition, individuals combining an undergraduate degree in Biology with advanced degrees in law or business are uniquely qualified to meet the growing needs for people in patent law and biotechnology business administration.

While a major in Biology provides an excellent background for these technical careers, it can also serve as a valuable and satisfying focus of a liberal arts education for those not planning careers in science-related fields. An understanding of basic biological principles is of increasing importance in today’s world. Environmental issues are of growing concern as we struggle to deal with the effects of contemporary civilization on the environment. Modern medicine has provided us with new insights into the basis for disease and has greatly improved the quality of human life, but the rapid advances in genetic engineering and other areas of biomedical research are also raising new moral and ethical questions. A knowledgeable and concerned citizenry is the best guarantee that these issues will be resolved most effectively. Finally, an understanding of the processes of life can heighten our perception and appreciation of the world around us, in terms of its beauty, variety, and uniqueness.

The Department of Biology offers its majors an impressive set of resources and experiences. Its world-renowned faculty is involved in research in many different areas, including ecology, neurobiology, population biology, plant and animal physiology, biochemistry, immunology, cell and developmental biology, genetics, and molecular biology. A wide range of courses is available, both on campus and at the department’s Hopkins Marine Station in Monterey Bay. In addition, selected courses at the medical school and in other departments, such as psychology and human biology, may be taken for biology elective units. Biology majors are encouraged to pursue independent research, and several research opportunities are available including the popular summer research program. Top students are eligible to participate in the departmental honors program, which includes a presentation at the Undergraduate Research Symposium held every spring. Another advantage of the Biology major is that the required course load in the junior and senior years is sufficiently light to allow students to take elective courses outside of the major and to study abroad.

The department is committed to providing its majors with a solid and broad-based education in the principles and experimental approaches of modern biology. We value our interactions with students and appreciate comments and suggests about our program.

Back to top

Declaring a Major

  1. Fill out the Undergraduate Major Declaration Form, available in the Student Services Office or online.

  2. Read the Department's Bachelor of Science Handbook

  3. Select a department advisor. For assistance in selecting an advisor:
    • Consult with the BioBridge and read the "Choosing an Undergraduate Faculty Advisor" Binder during BioBridge Office Hours You may also come in any time the Biology Student Services Office (in Gilbert 108 ) is open: 10 am - 12 pm and 1 pm - 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday..
    • Read the Department's Faculty Research and Publications(available in Gilbert 108).
    • Browse potential advisors
    • Consider faculty from whom you have already taken courses.

  4. Make an appointment with your potential advisor.

  5. If he or she agrees to be your advisor, discuss your academic goals, and obtain his or her signature on the Undergraduate Major Declaration Form.

  6. When the Undergraduate Major Declaration Form has been completed, bring it back to the Student Services Office in Gilbert 108 .

  7. Declare Biology as your major in Axess in the Student Services Center. When your declaration form has been received and approved by the Student Services Office, your request will be accepted and will show up on Axess.

Back to top

Declaring Honors in Biology

  1. Students wishing to pursue honors in Biology must apply for Honors by filling out the Honors Petition. The deadline is normally two quarters prior to the planned quarter of degree conferral. More detailed information about the Honors Program and petition process is on the Honors Website.

  2. Once a student has applied and been approved for honors, he/she must officially declare it in Axess in the Student Services Center.

Back to top

Declaring a Field of Study/Specialization in Biology

  1. Students must fill out the checklist for the particular field of study they wish to pursue. All of the checklists are on the department website.

  2. Get your faculty advisor to sign the checklist, then submit it to the Student Services Office in Gilbert 108.

  3. Declare your field of study in Axess in the Student Services Center.

Back to top

Declaring a Minor

  1. Students must submit a minor request including an Academic Plan via Axess. The academic plan is a list of courses they plan to take in order to fulfill the minor in Biology, as part of their minor declaration.

  2. Once a student has submitted a minor declaration form via AXESS, the department will review the student’s Academic Plan to verify its compliance with the minor requirements.

  3. Approved minor declarations will appear on Axess. If you do not see the minor in your student record, please contact Jennifer Mason (jmason@stanford.edu) in the Biology Student Services Office.

  4. Denied minor declarations will be returned to the student with comments. A student who’s minor declaration is denied may resubmit the declaration once any necessary changes or corrections have been made.

Back to top