Our classes are small and are taught by world-class professors, who truly enjoy working closely with students and mentoring them. Faculty bring their research and experience into the classroom, ensuring an enriching and encouraging educational environment. Your faculty advisor will work with you for curriculum and career planning, helping you to select courses based on your interests and the knowledge you need for employment or graduate school.

Biology students participate in research during and outside of classes and can expect to take part in hands-on research in many of Florida's natural environments, including mangroves, seagrass and salt marshes, sand and mud flats, lagoons, reefs and the Atlantic Ocean. 

They may be invited to join faculty research teams, where they work alongside professors to conduct original research, or volunteer in research labs where they work with faculty, graduate students and fellow undergraduates on research projects in aquaculture, molecular biology, ecology, marine biology and biochemistry. 

This research-based focus can even provide the opportunity to be published in scientific journals—rare at the undergraduate level.

You’ll benefit from cutting-edge research facilities right on the Florida Tech campus. Our new Gordon L. Nelson Health Sciences building features over 20,000 square feet of classroom and training space, state-of-the art equipment and labs and more. The F.W. Olin Engineering Complex boasts up-to-date technology in teaching and research labs and specialized computing facilities. It also has animal care facilities for small mammals and reptiles and a temperature-controlled greenhouse.

Hands-on field experience is just outside our classroom doors. Florida Tech’s 130-acre campus is minutes from the estuarine habitats of the Indian River Lagoon, home to more than 4,300 species of plants and animals. Our Ralph S. Evinrude Marine Operations Center ensures students and faculty have direct access to the lagoon. The Atlantic Ocean's vast marine ecosystems are just over the causeway and the Florida Keys and the Everglades are just short trips away.

As a biology student, you can build leadership skills and professional experience by participating in academic and professional organizations.

Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta), the biology honor society, and Florida Tech’s Marine Biological Society, a club for marine enthusiasts on campus, work together to host guest lectures, social events, fishing outings and more. Membership is the perfect way to network with faculty and other students in the biological sciences and to learn about internships, research and hands-on activities.

Our location in a state with many miles of coastline and a rich array of habitats—and in an area with one of the largest high-tech workforces in the country—provides us with many local, state and national agencies, environmental consulting firms, public facilities, private organizations and other institutions offering internships and employment.

Biology internships are an exciting and hands-on way to gain workplace experience while completing your degree. These valuable learning opportunities build skills and a highly competitive resume that equip you for your career.

Florida Tech undergraduates have held internships at the American Museum of Natural History, the Andean Biodiversity Consortium, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the Brevard Zoo, EPCOT, SeaWorld Orlando, the National Park Service and the Shedd Aquarium.

When it’s time to kick back and relax, we’re just over the causeway from 72 miles of beautiful beaches, a short trip away from the Florida Keys or the Orlando theme parks and minutes away from all the Indian River Lagoon has to offer.  But you won’t have to travel far for rest and relaxation. We also have a rich campus life with intramural and collegiate sports, over 200 campuswide student organizations and clubs and a wide variety of social activities.

As Florida's STEM University^™, Florida Tech is one of the best schools for premed, and a bachelor’s degree in biology is excellent preparation for medical school.

Here, you will find the coursework, research opportunities and advising you need to be ready to apply to medical school. We also offer special direct admission pathways into select programs through our partnerships with Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (located right on the Florida Tech campus) and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Learn more about premed at Florida Tech.