Biology

So...You Are Interested in Science?

At Blackburn, biology comes alive through hands-on labs and field experiences, where faculty teach each class, guide every adventure, and personally advise you toward your career goals.

Students are central to all research projects not to mention the Work Program positions where students can earn tuition credit from their campus job while learning their discipline first-hand. If you want to be a number, we are not for you BUT if you want to work directly with faculty to achieve your desired career path, explore below to be introduced to YOUR college experience!

Valuable Skills & Experiences

Graduate equipped with the expertise and skills to thrive in the next step of your career journey. If you are looking for any of the following, Blackburn Biology is for you!

  • Challenging coursework

  • Variety of lab experiences

  • Hands-on fieldwork

  • Experiences in a Vivarium, with bees, in our greenhouses, and on both public and private lands

  • Undergraduate research opportunities

  • Direct employment and experience in biology through our on-campus Work Program

student examines beehive tray covered in bees

Our Department

Biology majors at Blackburn learn directly from professors through interactive lectures and hands-on labs. Students gain real-world experience through fieldwork on and off campus, participate in research with faculty, and engage with unique campus resources like the Vivarium, Bee Program, and greenhouses.

Our Department

Biology majors at Blackburn learn directly from professors through interactive lectures and hands-on labs. Students gain real-world experience through fieldwork on and off campus, participate in research with faculty, and engage with unique campus resources like the Vivarium, Bee Program, and greenhouses.

Student get up-close experience with a snake in Blackburn's vivarium

Community Involvement

One of the most beloved traditions at Blackburn is Science Day, where regional students visit campus and experience a day of fun demonstrations and friendly competition. Students also bring our Vivarium on the road, introducing the public to our lizards, turtles, and snakes. We host beekeeping classes on campus for our community, and through our solar array, we educate our community on the importance of native pollinator plants for our local pollinator population and their impact on local agriculture.

Biology Community Connections

Community Involvement

One of the most beloved traditions at Blackburn is Science Day, where regional students visit campus and experience a day of fun demonstrations and friendly competition. Students also bring our Vivarium on the road, introducing the public to our lizards, turtles, and snakes. We host beekeeping classes on campus for our community, and through our solar array, we educate our community on the importance of native pollinator plants for our local pollinator population and their impact on local agriculture.

Biology Community Connections
Dr. Samantha Kahl '04 leads a lab in the Blackburn Mahan Laboratory Wing

Facilities

Blackburn’s Biology Department features state-of-the-art indoor labs as well as access to more than 1,000 acres of land for hands-on experiences for our students. In addition, throughout your time at Blackburn, our faculty work side-by-side with students in the classroom, labs, outdoor learning environments, and while conducting research.

Biology Facilities

Facilities

Blackburn’s Biology Department features state-of-the-art indoor labs as well as access to more than 1,000 acres of land for hands-on experiences for our students. In addition, throughout your time at Blackburn, our faculty work side-by-side with students in the classroom, labs, outdoor learning environments, and while conducting research.

Biology Facilities
Student helps another student in science

Work Program

At Blackburn, students earn more than a degree; they graduate with real-world experience, in-demand skills, and a network of mentors through our one-of-a-kind Work Program. By integrating hands-on jobs with academic study, students take charge of their education and reduce the cost of their education. The result is a powerful and immersive experience that develops leaders, problem solvers, and career-ready professionals.

Work Program in Biology

Work Program

At Blackburn, students earn more than a degree; they graduate with real-world experience, in-demand skills, and a network of mentors through our one-of-a-kind Work Program. By integrating hands-on jobs with academic study, students take charge of their education and reduce the cost of their education. The result is a powerful and immersive experience that develops leaders, problem solvers, and career-ready professionals.

Work Program in Biology

Possible Career Paths

  • Biologist

  • Biological Science Teacher

  • Microbiologist

  • Professor

  • Public Health Coordinator

  • Research Scientist

  • Teacher

Course of Study >

  • Botanist

  • Conservation Biologist

  • Ecologist

  • Environmental Consultant

  • Environmental Planner

  • Environmental Health & Safety Officer

  • Urban Planner

  • Air Pollution Analyst

  • Fish and Wildlife Biologist

  • Environmental Lawyer

  • Natural Resource Manager

  • Water Quality Testing & Researcher

  • Science Writer

  • Wildlife Manager

  • Marine Biologist

  • Veterinarian

  • Wildlife Technician

  • Zoologist

Course of Study >

  • Food Scientist

  • Forensic Scientist

  • Geneticist

  • Lab Technician

  • Microbiologist

  • Public Health Microbiologist

  • Biotechnologist

  • Environmental Scientist

  • Pharmacologist

Course of Study >

  • Physicians

  • Chiropractor

  • Dentist

  • Dietitian

  • Emergency Medicine

  • Optometrist

  • Pharmacist

  • Physical/Occupational Therapist

  • Sports Medicine

  • Physician Assistant

  • Psychiatrist

  • Veterinarian

Course of Study >

  • Chemist

  • Chemistry Teacher

  • Laboratory Technician

  • Food Chemist

  • Forensic Chemist

  • Environmental Chemistry Technician

  • Quality Control Chemist

  • Analytical Chemist

  • Technical Writer

  • Toxicology

Course of Study >

  • Biologist

  • Biological Science Teacher

  • Microbiologist

  • Professor

  • Public Health Coordinator

  • Research Scientist

  • Teacher

Course of Study >

  • Botanist

  • Conservation Biologist

  • Ecologist

  • Environmental Consultant

  • Environmental Planner

  • Environmental Health & Safety Officer

  • Urban Planner

  • Air Pollution Analyst

  • Fish and Wildlife Biologist

  • Environmental Lawyer

  • Natural Resource Manager

  • Water Quality Testing & Researcher

  • Science Writer

  • Wildlife Manager

  • Marine Biologist

  • Veterinarian

  • Wildlife Technician

  • Zoologist

Course of Study >

  • Food Scientist

  • Forensic Scientist

  • Geneticist

  • Lab Technician

  • Microbiologist

  • Public Health Microbiologist

  • Biotechnologist

  • Environmental Scientist

  • Pharmacologist

Course of Study >

  • Physicians

  • Chiropractor

  • Dentist

  • Dietitian

  • Emergency Medicine

  • Optometrist

  • Pharmacist

  • Physical/Occupational Therapist

  • Sports Medicine

  • Physician Assistant

  • Psychiatrist

  • Veterinarian

Course of Study >

  • Chemist

  • Chemistry Teacher

  • Laboratory Technician

  • Food Chemist

  • Forensic Chemist

  • Environmental Chemistry Technician

  • Quality Control Chemist

  • Analytical Chemist

  • Technical Writer

  • Toxicology

Course of Study >

Work Program Connections

We prepare you to launch your career or continue a journey on to graduate school

Biology majors—and students with an interest in the field—have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through the Work Program, applying scientific concepts in real-world settings. These roles can improve career readiness and strengthen graduate school applications by showcasing research experience, lab proficiency, and leadership in scientific environments.

Work Program opportunities include:

  • Vivarium Assistants

  • Greenhouse Workers

  • Beekeepers

  • Faculty/Laboratory Assistants

These positions provide valuable skills and experience for careers in research, healthcare, conservation, and beyond.

The Work Program
Sep 25, 2025
Blackburn student holds animal for as second grade students safely touch
Blackburn’s Vivarium Visits with Carlinville Primary School at Beaver Dam Office of Marketing & Public Relations / Features
Jul 21, 2025
Dr. Sharon Bloch, headshot
Blackburn College Welcomes Dr. Sharon Bloch to Biology Faculty Office of Marketing & Public Relations / Announcements
Jul 21, 2025
Dr. MC Hannon headshot
Blackburn College Welcomes Dr. Mary Colleen “MC” Hannon to Biology Faculty Office of Marketing & Public Relations / Announcements
May 21, 2025
Senior Jessica Muckensturm 25 and Dr Samantha Kahl
Blackburn’s Traveling Vivarium Introduces Reptiles and Amphibians to Students at Mount Olive’s Family STEAM Night Office of Marketing & Public Relations / Features
May 15, 2025
A group of students sit around camp fire during field biology opportunity
Blackburn Field Biology Students Explore Nature on Unforgettable Ozark Adventure Office of Marketing & Public Relations / Features
May 15, 2025
Blackburn students and faculty standing outside of Mahan
Blackburn Celebrates the 36th Annual Science Day, Powered By Student Leadership Office of Marketing & Public Relations / Press Releases
Apr 25, 2025
Blackburn College biology students in the field for a Rocket-Netting workshop at the IL Wildlife Conference
Blackburn Students Experience Hands-On Education at Illinois Wildlife Society Conference Office of Marketing & Public Relations / News
Feb 19, 2025
Blackburn student holding a snake while a high school student stands by and pets it. HELP
Blackburn Announces 36th Annual Science Day Event for Friday, April 11 Office of Marketing & Public Relations / Announcements
Jan 16, 2025
Blackburn students and staff standing and smiling in front of a lake
Blackburn Students, Staff Attend Work Colleges Consortium Student Service Conference Office of Marketing & Public Relations / Features
Sep 12, 2024
Ensemble Machine Learning on the Fusion of Sentinel Time Series Imagery with High-Resolution Orthoimagery for Improved Land Use/Land Cover Mapping.
Dr. Samantha Kahl Published in Remote Sensing Office of Marketing & Public Relations / In the News

Ready to Visit?

If you’re ready to see the Blackburn difference first-hand, you can schedule a personal campus visit or sign up to attend one of our annual admissions events.

Schedule a Visit