Biology - William Penn University

A Biology degree from William Penn University opens the door to a broad range of career opportunities. Whether you’re passionate about human health, wildlife conservation, research, or environmental sustainability, this program allows you to tailor your coursework to match your interests and goals. Students can pursue paths leading to careers in the medical field, such as becoming a doctor, nurse, physician assistant, or pharmacist. Others may focus on animal science, preparing for roles like veterinarian, veterinary technician, or behavioral ecologist. Those drawn to the outdoors and environmental work might aim to become wildlife biologists, park rangers, ecologists, or conservation scientists. For those interested in research and laboratory work, the degree also supports careers as lab technicians, microbiologists, or biomedical researchers. A strong foundation in biological sciences and hands-on learning experiences at William Penn allows you to enter the workforce or continue your education in graduate or professional school. With the flexibility to customize your educational journey, a Biology degree from William Penn empowers you to explore your passions and build a future in the area of science that inspires you most.

3+1 Program with Palmer College of Chiropractic

The Biology program at William Penn University is offering an additional field of study in the form of a 3+1 program through a partnership with Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. As a student in the program, you will spend three years completing the biology program and earning at least 94 credit hours. Once you complete the first year’s coursework at Palmer in the Doctor of Chiropractic program, credits can then be transferred back to WPU to complete the undergraduate degree. This allows you to simultaneously complete your B.S. from WPU while working towards your Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College.

Careers

As a graduate of the Biology program, you will be qualified for positions in the following fields:

Control Systems Engineer
Bio Process Specialist
Product Manager
Bio Process Specialist
Cell Culture Expert
Process Support Coach
Wildlife Ecologist
Fisheries Ecologist
Aquaculture Technician
Hydrologist
Geneticist
Forester
Lab Technician
Paleontologist
Natural Resource Technician
Park Ranger
Conservation Biologist
Interpretive Naturalist
Agricultural Scientist

Internships

Internships are designed to help students gain an understanding of professional experience. Professors encourage students to pursue internships so they can apply classroom and experimental knowledge to real world activity. Biology majors have interned with the following businesses:

Ajinimoto
Cargill
Walmart Pharmacy
Army Corps of Engineers (Lake Red Rock)
Mahaska Health Partnership
Lifetime Dental
Animal Health Center of Oskaloosa
Ottumwa Regional Health Center
Mahaska County Conservation Board

Organizations

Pre-Professional Majors Club:The Pre-Professional Majors club participates in a large field trip every year that is hosted at different academic locations and assists surrounding community schools with different projects.
Wildlife Ecology Club: The Wildlife Ecology club organizes volunteer opportunities with local conservation agencies and private nonprofit groups, as well as activities such as fishing trips, canoe trips, and prairie restoration