A degree in biology

Study in the biological sciences provides students with fundamental knowledge of biology at molecular, cellular, physiological and ecological levels. Our programs serve to develop and train students to be well-prepared for post-graduate studies as well as for careers in biology-related industry and research sectors.

Why study biology at Wayne State?

Wayne State's 'Bird Lady': Alum Michelle Serreyn champions urban wildlife with WSU falcon cam

High atop Old Main, nestled under the gabled recesses of Wayne State’s oldest building, a springtime drama of operatic dimension featuring a family of peregrine falcons unfolds. And due in large part to the efforts of Michelle Serreyn, this avian reality show — the nesting, mating, fledging and sometimes spectacular death — is broadcast in real time on camera.

Hanaa Hariri: Decoding the mysterious crosstalk inside cells

Beneath the constant buzz of cell-to-cell communication that keeps living things humming along, another little-explored network is whispering back and forth. This network runs within each cell and between its internal machines: the organelles.

Growing crops in the city

Sarah Black found her way to Wayne State while working in and around the city of Detroit. As a federal regulator with the US Army Corp of Engineers, she spent a lot of time studying pollution in post-industrial cities. While completing a master’s thesis on restoration ecology and insect recruitment, Sarah began to wonder how contaminants, particularly legacy contaminants such as metals, moved through trophic levels in urban areas.

Alumni Spotlight: Nikita Deshpande helps combat SARS CoV-2 in Australia

When Nikita Deshpande defended her Ph.D. dissertation in 2018, she was considering careers in industry or academia – but she was not thinking about working for a large NGO. During her Ph.D., Nikita gained molecular and genetic skills by studying chromatin in the Meller lab. But, crucially, she also developed leadership and organizational skills through service in the department.

Amanda Fazi, WSU '10: Undergraduate research leads to a career in forensic analysis

Amanda Fazi came to Wayne State intending to go to medical school. She took the right courses and earned superb grades, but had a change of heart after joining a laboratory and discovering that she enjoyed research.

SciPol-Detroit tackles misinformation and shapes public policy

Biology students take science to the community.

More spotlights

News

CLAS faculty honored with teaching awards

Former WSU Squirrel Watching Club president delivers departmental seminar

United Nations RCE space to support cross-border sustainability work

Memory-making focus at the BioSci research retreat debut

More news

Falcon Cam