Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
Major milestones are activities Biology Major, B.A. or B.S. students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver.
Both the Biology Major, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the Biology Major, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) milestones are represented on this page.
Explore the Biology Major, B.A. or B.S.
The Department of Biology gives students foundational knowledge, so they can examine living organisms from the molecular level to entire ecosystems. Biology majors gain an understanding of biological principles, as well as analytical, laboratory and field-based scientific training necessary to pursue graduate studies, conduct biological research, or directly enter the workforce.
CAREER MILESTONES
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.
Essential skills build through majoring in Biology include:
- Quantitative Reasoning, Technology, and Career Development:
- Work in a research lab
- Work in the field
- Pursue graduate school
Students graduating from Biology find themselves as:
- Health-care related jobs
- Research lab technician
- Zoologist/Wildlife Biologist
- Geneticist
- Microbiologist
- Botanist
96% of undergraduate research students get into graduate school or obtain jobs in the biology field post-graduation.
Click here to explore career opportunities by major.
Many students also choose to pursue a graduate degree.
WHAT ARE MAJOR MILESTONES?
Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.
Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.
MAJOR MILESTONES CATEGORIES
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
HOW TO USE THE MAJOR MILESTONES TOOL
- Scroll to your current year in school.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
ARRIVE - Your First Year at MSU Denver
First Year Milestones
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on-campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
- Complete Financial Aid and Scholarship applications.
- Meet with Professional Academic Advisor.
- Take Math and English placement test.
- Learn about resources in the Biology Student Resource Module.
- Visit the CASE and RM-AMP websites.
- Join a student organization.
- Attend Biology open house and/or research seminar.
- Attend the MSU Denver Research Conference.
THRIVE - Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Middle Years Milestones
- Consider adding a minor or adding a certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
- Meet with a biology faculty advisor.
- Go to the tutoring center and/or writing center.
- Look into a study-abroad and/or field course.
- Be active in a student group.
- Volunteer somewhere in your field of study.
- Participate in undergraduate research and/or write a grant.
- Visit the C2 Hub to look for internships and begin working on your resume.
- Look for graduate programs (if you plan to continue education).
SOAR - Your Final Year at MSU Denver
Final Year Milestones
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Get help on your industry-ready resume, then attend in-person career-focused events.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, explore graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
- Take your senior-experience course.
- Meet with advisor to confirm you are on track for graduation.
- Begin networking outside the University.
- Contact faculty advisor at the graduate programs you want to attend.
- Present your research at MSU Denver Undergraduate Conference.
- Participate in a paid internship or in Earn and Learn for an unpaid internship.
- Apply to graduate school.
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) and utilize C2Hub resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early & often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and explore graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and checking out Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine if you need to fill out the Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Additional College Resources
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Steps for Success
Major Maps
Download the Biology Major, B.A. or B.S. Map (from CLAS), a print version of this webpage so you can refer to it later.
Academic Program Page
Visit the Biology Major, B.A. Academic Program Page to learn more about this program and all it offers.
Academic Program Pages
Visit the Biology Major, B.S. Academic Program Page to learn more about this program and all it offers.
Student Success Roadmap
Complete additional steps on the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to round out your MSU Denver experience.
Contact the Department of Biology
Connect with Us
Phone: (303) 615-0777
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location:
Science Building (SI)
Room 2042
Science Building, Auraria Campus – Google Map