About the Department

The University of Nebraska at Kearney's Biology Department has large, vibrant programs for undergraduates in areas such as health science, wildlifemolecular biology and more. Graduate students are offered on-campus and online options. With 25 faculty members, we are able to offer diverse classes and research opportunities in a wide variety of fields. 

Student success is the primary goal of the Biology Department. The department brings in millions of dollars in grants each year to support research. This provides opportunities for undergraduate students to travel and work directly with faculty mentors on research projects. Each year, the department also awards nearly $10,000 in scholarships for current Biology students. 

The graduate program is an integral part of the Biology Department curriculum. We offer an on-campus master's thesis and a completely online master's non-thesis degree. The on-campus program provides a traditional master's experience where students can work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on a research project, while online students have a more flexible schedule that only includes research if the students choose it as an option. Because of the large size of the program, the department is able to offer numerous classes to allow students to get a broad biology background or to specialize more to help achieve career goals. On-campus students have the opportunity to apply for a teaching assistantship that provides tuition support and a stipend for graduate students who teach introductory biology laboratories.

  • Belle Turk

    “For me as a Student, the pre-veterinary track ensured that I accomplished all prerequisite courses needed to apply to numerous veterinary medicine schools. The courses, labs and support from instructors was instrumental in my journey to apply to Vet Med School and ultimately supported my acceptance into several veterinary schools!”

    Belle Turk

    Psychology Major/Pre-Veterinary Program with minor in Biology

  • Phoebe Dunbar

    "The diversity of coursework expanded my interests beyond what I had imagined. I didn’t know I would fall in love with avian ecology or plant taxonomy, but because I had classes in all areas of the wildlife field, my knowledge and passions were broadened, opening me up to so many more opportunities."

    Phoebe Dunbar

    Biology Comprehensive/Wildlife Emphasis

  • Mackenzie Smith

    “Studying wildlife at UNK was one of the best decisions I ever made. The program provided me with a strong foundation in biology while also offering specialized wildlife and ecology courses that gave me invaluable hands-on experience and career-related skills. I had the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research, publish scientific papers, attend conferences, and take field classes abroad—experiences that set me apart in the job market after graduation.”

    Mackenzie Smith

    Biology Comprehensive/Wildlife Emphasis

  • Dawson Kosmicki

    “Taking classes for my major with all of the great professors here at UNK dramatically expanded my love of learning and broadened my interest in wildlife. I've gained an incredible appreciation for numerous subjects and found a passion for wildlife research. This drive and my experiences here will be a tremendous help as I learn more about my field and transition into graduate school.”

    Dawson Kosmicki

    Biology Comprehensive/Wildlife Emphasis with Geography and GI Science minor

  • Trenton Theis

    "My degree provided a strong foundation for medical school. Courses like gross anatomy, immunology, infectious diseases, and cell biology prepared me for rigorous coursework, while research experiences boosted my skills and strengthened my CV for residency applications. This degree was instrumental in my academic and professional success, and I highly recommend it to anyone pursuing graduate or professional school."

    Trenton Theis

    Biology Comprehensive/Health Science Emphasis

  • Cali Gunderson

    "The UNK Biology Department provided me with invaluable hands-on experiences and research opportunities that have directly impacted my teaching as a high school science teacher. The outreach research programs I participated in not only enriched my scientific knowledge but also provided real-world connections that I now incorporate into my lessons. Even after graduation, I continue to rely on guidance from former professors to develop interactive and impactful activities for my classroom."

    Cali Gunderson

    Major: Biology 7-12 Subject

  • Dean Erdkamp

    "The UNK Biology department, and all UNK's faculty, did so much for me both in and out of the classroom. During my time as an undergraduate student, I was able to meet with nearly all my professors at any time I needed them. This helped me power through tough courses or topics within courses. The biology program also helped prepare me well for my current graduate class workload as well as future endeavors such as medical school and simply being an adult."

    Dean Erdkamp

    Biology, Bachelor of Science Comprehensive with Nutrition Minor

  • Lauren Benck

    My Community has given me great friends who push me to be my best and pursue my dreams. I’m surrounded by people with similar interests and dreams. We’re in the same classes, study together frequently, and help each other with homework.

    Lauren Benck

    KHOP Community

  • Nicole Kent

    “Being able to sit down with professors one on one and discuss topics that were difficult was one of the best things for me. I remember sitting down with my immunology professor, Dr. Joe Dolence, for hours just talking about how the immune system works. He welcomed that and he loved that. Having that one-on-one attention and professors who are truly invested in your education really helped prepare me for professional school.”

    Nicole Kent

    Medical student at UNMC in Omaha (Biology Health Science)

  • Makayla Nemecek

    “At UNK, students get out of the classroom, and gain experience in the field. For me, the studies come easier because I’ve been in the lab applying what I’ve been learning. I think that kind of puts me ahead of the game because I’ve had that hands-on learning and I think you learn best by doing. It really prepares you for whatever your next step is.”

     

    Makayla Nemecek

    Molecular Biology

Beyond the Classroom

an instructor shows a specimen to a student

Events and Organizations

a student works with a professor in a lab

Research

a student does research in a field with a professor

Scholarships