Biology

The Biology department is student-oriented with a program that emphasizes a breadth of experience while also allowing for depth in specialized areas in biology.  We pride ourselves in a strong community of students, faculty, and staff, and are committed to introducing students to the excitement of science, promoting collaborative and interdisciplinary learning, and preparing students for their chosen career goals.

In addition to rigorous coursework, the department proudly claims a very active undergraduate research program as a major strength. We believe that students' participation in scientific research, including subsequent data analysis and presentation of the results, can be a valuable part of an undergraduate education, and our students have opportunities to present at local, regional, and national conferences and have been co-authors on peer-reviewed publications with faculty.

The Biology department is housed in the award-winning Featherston Life Sciences Building, which offers top-of-the-line research-grade instrumentation and is ranked No. 6 for Best Science Lab Facilities in 2023 by the Princeton Review.

By offering a diversity of experiences that include taking labs in the field and in our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, carrying out independent research with faculty, and opportunities to be teaching assistants, our students are well-prepared for graduate or professional school studies or to successfully enter the workforce.

Featured Video

Meet associate professor of biology Demian Willette

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Our Program

Explore our Biology curriculum and the routes your studies can take — students can choose between a teaching focus and a more traditional science one.

Faculty

Our faculty are mentors who care about the whole-person education of our students. In addition to being full-time academic professors, our faculty are researchers who regularly publish their work and are actively practicing in the field.

Research

Research in the department ranges from developmental genetics to marine biology to the analysis of gene regulatory networks. Students are encouraged to participate in faculty-mentored research to gain valuable hands-on experience.

WCBSURC

LMU students regularly participate in the West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research (WCBSURC) Conference, a 45-year tradition that brings undergraduate researchers together to present their findings.

In The News

Extinction of SoCal Megafaun Courtesy NHM
Biology Professor Wendy Binder studies the human impact on large mammals nearly 13,000 years ago, important research that made the cover of 'Science' magazine.
Five students from Loyola Marymount University earned awards at the 45th annual West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference (WCBSURC) in San Diego.
Madeline King '21, is now pursuing a PhD thanks to LMU's hands-on Biology curriculum giving her the chance to make a discovery about herself: she loves doing research.
A multidisciplinary research team led by Loyola Marymount University was awarded $750,000 to study the sustainability of octopus fisheries.
Francesca Foltz was awarded the prestigious Nancy Klamm Award for Best Undergraduate Oral Presentation at the Wilson Ornithological Society’s annual conference.
Demian Willette, associate professor of biology, has the first patent to come from the Biology Department of the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering.
Erykah Walton was awarded the Marion B. Sewer Distinguished Scholarship, a national honor for students who make significant contributions to diversity in STEM.
Nancy Fujishige, associate professor of biology, won the 2023 Elizabeth and Michael Rudinica Award for Teaching and Advising.

Student Experiences

Read all about student research from the ones doing the work. Seaver biology majors Caroline Thorpe ’24, Jenna Ellinghuysen ’26 and Elise Lee ’24 shared their stories.

Caroline Jenna Elise

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Why LMU?

Loyola Marymount University’s Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering is committed to strong values with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. We take pride in admitting students who go on to make a big impact in not just the sciences and engineering but the world at large.

Founded in 1911, the mission of LMU is the encouragement of learning, the education of the whole person, the service of faith and the promotion of justice both on campus and in the Los Angeles community.