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What is true in life is also true in the biology major at Rollins: Nothing compares to hands-on experience. That’s why the majority of courses in this field include laboratories, and at Rollins you lead them.

There are no lecture halls and no viewing of studies from the other side of a room. Small class sizes mean you’re the catalyst of your own research—even in stepping-stone classes—working under the expert guidance of doctorate-level professors from hypothesis to experiment to analyzing data.

The success of Rollins graduates tells us this type of evidence-based learning translates seamlessly into any type of career, whether it’s in medicine, education, or business.


Why Study Biology at Rollins

  1. 1

    Original Research Opportunities

    The biology professors start stressing independence in 100-level classes. You control your own research, with oversight from professors, which instills confidence early in your studies.

  2. 2

    State-of-the-Art Learning Environment

    The Bush Science Center is designed as a student-centric hub. You can convene here at all hours, studying, collaborating, and taking advantage of continual access to professors.

  3. 3

    Life Skills Beyond Biology

    Biology majors are trained to troubleshoot, lead experiments, and explore ecosystems around the world. You gain priceless skills to navigate any profession or any important life decision.

Interested in Studying Biology at Rollins?

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Clayton Ferrara portrait

“I’ve loved nature from a young age, but the biology major at Rollins changed my life and opened my eyes. I gained an understanding of the nuances of life and then traveled the globe to apply my understanding to a worldview. It all prepared me to speak with purpose at the U.N., the Vatican, and the White House. I have Rollins to thank for that.”

Clayton Louis Ferrara ’09

Executive Director, IDEAS For Us


Rollins Biology Careers

Rollins biology graduates are making tomorrow happen at some of the world’s most innovative organizations and institutions.

  • Self portrait of Molly Amador

    Molly H.B. Amador, PhD ’13

    Academic Editor and Voiceover Artist, Scientific Script Writer

  • Self portrait of Navreet Dhaliwal

    Navreet Dhaliwal ’13 ’15MBA

    Customer Service Account Manager, Microsoft

  • Self portrait of Justine Falcone

    Justine Falcone ’13

    Resident Physician in Emergency Medicine, West Virginia University

  • Donnelly West

    Donnelly A. West ’07

    Animal Behaviorist, Flexible Pet Solutions

  • Self portrait of Michaela O'Driscoll

    Michaela A. O’Driscoll ’16

    Resident Physician, University of Washington

  • Seth Pierce

    Seth Pierce ’11

    Chief Pilot, Jax Beach Aviation


Real World Experience

Biology students hone their knowledge and skills through hands-on experience in everything from research and internships to community engagement.

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Global Brigades
  • Johns Hopkins
  • Mount Sinai School of Medicine
  • MIT
  • Sandoz
Rollins College students enjoying lunch by the Lakeside pool.

Apply By November 15

It’s never been easier or more rewarding to apply to Rollins. No app fee, formal essay, or test scores required. Apply by November 15 to receive priority consideration for admission and academic scholarships that range from $15,000 per year to full ride.

Start an ApplicationStart an Application

Popular Courses

From classroom and laboratory experiences to field work, students take courses that span the spectrum of biological disciplines. They learn to think critically and emerge as leaders prepared to make informed decisions about important scientific issues


A Day in the Life of a Rollins Biology Major

“Biology bridges the gap between what we casually observe about our natural world and what we can discover to be the true patterns of life and interaction that were once so obscure.”

Papaa Kodzi ’21

Tour Bush Science Center

Go behind the scenes of the state-of-the-art labs and collaborative learning environments of our 104,000-square-foot science facility.

A professor and a student conduct biology research.

Beyond the Classroom

Internship Opportunities The name “Rollins” carries significant clout for students who apply for competitive internships. Our faculty encourages students to decide what they want to study, and where, for a summer.

Scholarly Research Undergraduates have the opportunity to spend up to two months working side by side with a biology faculty member through the Student-Faculty Collaborative Scholarship Program, and get paid. This program provides students a strong start on a long-term laboratory project and the opportunity to present at a professional conference.

Study Abroad The biology curriculum is built to encourage students to study ecosystems across the globe (usually the fall term of your junior year). The most popular field experiences are in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.



Dive Into Biology at Rollins

Explore more about what it will be like to major in biology at Rollins.

  • Facilities & Instrumentation

    Rollins’ Department of Biology is housed in the newly renovated Bush Science Center. Within our teaching and research laboratories, we have diverse equipment for studies in general, ecological, and molecular biology.

  • What You Will Learn

    The department's mission is to provide an excellent undergraduate life sciences education in the liberal arts tradition. The curricula will expose you to a wide variety of classroom, laboratory, and field experiences fundamental to the life sciences, and so much more.

  • Research Projects

    There are many opportunities to do original research while you are a student in biology at Rollins from smaller research projects within courses to the Rollins Student-Faculty Collaborative Scholarship Program working with a sponsoring faculty member.

The Rollins Greenhouse is on top of the Bush Science Center building.

The Greenhouse

From orchids and herbs to the famously odd corpse plant, Rollins’ state-of-the-art greenhouse is home to hundreds of plant species from all around the world. The teaching collection contains a diverse assortment of plants needed to augment lectures and provide live lab specimens.

Explore the Greenhouse Explore the Greenhouse

Keep Exploring

Take a deeper dive into biology at Rollins by meeting your future professors, seeing our grads in action, and sitting in on a class.

Bonner Leader on an Immersion

July 29, 2024

Leading Change

For the past 10 years, the College’s Bonner Leaders Program has provided service-learning opportunities to students passionate about social issues and nonprofit work, creating positive change in the Rollins community and beyond.

Leading Change
STEM Hub in Bush Science Center

June 11, 2024

Full STEM Ahead

The Bush Science Center’s new STEM Hub fosters opportunities for learning, connection, and equity.

Full STEM Ahead
Ginsburg Fellows Lexi Cohen '26 and Joseph Pool '26

June 05, 2024

Cohen ’25 and Pool ’26 Named Ginsburg Fellows

Alexandria Cohen ’25 and Joseph Pool ’26 have been selected as 2024-25 Ginsburg Fellows, a scholarship and mentoring program for students passionate about social justice.

Cohen ’25 and Pool ’26 Named Ginsburg Fellows

Expert Faculty

Our biology instructors could teach anywhere, but they choose Rollins because of the individualized structure and the department’s personal approach to training—in the classroom, in the field, and in life.

Department of Biology

Bush Science Center
1000 Holt Ave. – 2743
Winter Park, FL32789

Telephone:407.646.2494

Fax:407.628.6395

  • Pamela Brannock portrait

    Pamela M. Brannock, PhD

    Assistant Professor of Biology

    Research interests: Exploring the genetic composition, connectivity, and variation of aquatic invertebrates

  • Bobby Fokidis portrait

    Bobby Fokidis, PhD

    Associate Professor of Biology

    Research interests: Exploring the hormonal and neural links between energy status and animal behavior, particularly in a changing environment

  • Fiona Harper portrait

    Fiona Harper, PhD

    Associate Professor of Biology

    Research interests: Marine evolution, speciation in the marine environment, and hybridization between species

  • Jay Pieczynski portrait

    Jay Pieczynski, PhD

    Department Chair, Assistant Professor of Biology

    Research interests: Dynamics of microtubules and microtubule motor proteins in cell signaling and behavior

    Visit Site

  • Brandaliz Santiago-Narvaez portrait

    Brendaliz Santiago-Narvaez, PhD

    Assistant Professor of Biology

    Research interests: Oral microbiology, in particular the bacterial species Streptococcus mutans, which is capable of forming dental plaque

    Visit site

  • Paul Stephenson portait

    Paul T. Stephenson, PhD

    Associate Professor of Biology

    Research interests: Plant physiology and cell biology

  • Sabrice Guerrier

    Sabrice Guerrier, PhD

    Associate Professor of Biology

Professor and students in a class discussion at a Rollins outdoor classroom

See for Yourself

Get a feel for Rollins’ unique brand of engaged learning and personalized attention through one of our virtual or in-person visit experiences.

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