Why the College of Biological Sciences?

Get a unique, world-class education

The innovation begins at Nature of Life, a course at Itasca Biological Station and Laboratores that all CBS students take before the beginning of their freshman year. You will meet faculty and other students, learn about college and university resources, and explore the breadth of biology. You will begin discovering new knowledge right away as a CBS major in the highly challenging, year-long Foundations of Biology sequence, which focuses on critical thinking, problem solving, communication, team work, and hands-on research. FIND OUT MORE

Experience the research advantage

Are you interested in research? CBS faculty are distinguished as teachers and researchers who are actively creating knowledge in their fields. But it’s not just faculty who make the college great. The opportunity to work in a faculty lab as an undergraduate is one of the things that makes CBS special. The quality of that research is what makes it exceptional. Discoveries made by faculty and student researchers regularly appear in high-impact journals such as Science and Nature. FIND OUT MORE

Learn outside the classroom

With seven majors that span the biological sciences from molecules to ecosystems, CBS offers many excellent academic options. But the opportunities don't stop in the classroom. As a CBS student, you can also study abroad, gets your hands dirty with field biology, work in faculty labs, gain leadership experience and participate in student organizations. FIND OUT MORE

Be at the center of it all

Twenty Fortune 500 companies call the Twin Cities home. And CBS is one of only three biological sciences colleges in the country making it an incubator for future talent at these top employers, which makes this the place to study biology. Our versatile majors prepare you for an ever-changing and complex world in which biologists will play a vital role. Coursework includes a strong foundation of knowledge and skills to help you find a job now and ensure future job flexibility. FIND OUT MORE

Enjoy exceptional support and resources

Ask CBS students what distinguishes the college and "community" is sure to come up. That’s no accident. From the very start of the undergraduate experience, CBS provides the support and resources for students to form lasting bonds and develop as scholars, researchers and leaders. The college offers a biology-focused career exploration course that will help you discover your strengths and apply them to a chosen career path. CBS' award winning Dean's Scholars program helps students to develop their leadership skills through being active in their communities, and CBS students have the expertise of two career centers — one focused on health careers and the other for science and engineering students. In CBS, we help students achieve their goals and dreams while in college and beyond! FIND OUT MORE