Biology
Investigate the living world inside and around us.
Diversity in Nature, Diversity in Approach
Careers in Medicine
The best physicians combine scientific expertise with a well-rounded interpersonal skill set. At Oberlin, work with our advisors to help you pursue your career goals in health and medicine.
Mentorship and Research
Research experience is a cornerstone of a biology education. At Oberlin, students work with faculty to achieve new scientific discoveries.
Featured Courses
Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry
Whether living solo or within bodies, cells are busy at the molecular level. We investigate fundamental features of cells, how cells sense their environment and respond by turning on and off different genes, how cells talk to each other to coordinate behavior, and how cancer can develop if this coordination breaks down. Lab emphasizes modern biotechnology techniques used throughout the world.
- Taught by
- Maureen Peters, Laura Romberg, Aaron Goldman, Katherine Cullen
Disease Ecology
The dynamics of infectious disease - in human, wildlife, and plant populations - is examined through the framework of Community Ecology. We focus class discussions and writing assignments on recent scientific literature. Lab is a semester-long mentored research experience through which students propose and design a study, collect and analyze data, and report results through both written and oral presentation.
- Taught by
- Mary Garvin
Genomics
Genome analysis enriches every field of biology from ecology and evolution to virology and disease prevention. We discuss how genomes are sequenced and analyzed to identify genes and predict the functional relationships of their products. In lab, students conduct original computational research involving genome annotation, protein structure and function prediction, and evolutionary analysis of protein families.
- Taught by
- Aaron Goldman
Seminar in Experimental Evolution
Evolutionary perspectives contribute to our understanding of cancer occurrence and progression, infectious diseases, agro-ecosystem productivity, and management of endangered and exploited populations. More than simply a historical process, evolution can be studied experimentally. Here we explore the scientific literature to evaluate the potential of experimental evolution to aid in improving the probability of desirable outcomes for society.
- Taught by
- Angela (Angie) Roles
Student Profiles
Postgrad Research at the FDA
At Oberlin, Gabby Walsh ’18 double majored in biology and biochemistry. Now, she is a postbaccalaureate fellow at the Food and Drug Administration.
First Nexial Prizewinner
Adam Chazin-Gray ’17, a biology major with interests in public health, climatology, and infectious disease research, was the inaugural recipient of the Nexial Prize, an award worth $50,000 meant for graduate study at the interface of science and culture.
A Passion for Science Communication
A biology and musical studies double major at Oberlin, Lisa Learman '16 is now completing a PhD in the Cellular and Molecular Medicine program at Johns Hopkins University.
What does Biology at Oberlin look like?
Honors Student Yiling Fang ’20 investigates gene expression during root development in Marta Laskowski’s lab.
Oberlin students help to maintain the botanical collection in the Greenhouse.
Tim Uyeki ’81, author and epidemiologist meets with a class studying infectious diseases.
Lab Crawl happens every spring, making it easy for students to visit and learn about research labs on campus.
Students in Professor Roger Laushman’s plant ecology class identify native ferns at a field site.
Students in Professor Keith Tarvin’s lab design an experimental study of squirrel eavesdropping behavior over Winter Term.
