In the belief that a firm grasp of the scientific method is of utmost importance to all liberal arts students, our basic biology courses expose students to the fundamental questions and concerns of the field and provide training in logical, analytical thinking.

Upper-division courses offer advanced study and rigorous training in the various fields of biology. All courses are taught in a highly personalized environment of encouragement, support, and guidance, and students have opportunities to work directly with professors in the laboratory and field. Students also have the opportunity to participate in faculty-directed research on campus. The Chevron research laboratory is available for undergraduate research and the William Joseph McInnes Botanical Garden on campus is available for research and independent study. In addition, the resources of the Bay Area are utilized for field trips; through the Mills internship program, majors have opportunities to expand their research experiences by working in various industrial firms and laboratories in the Bay Area.

The Biology Department is located in the new, state-of-the-art Natural Sciences Building. The teaching and research laboratories are equipped with up-to-date instrumentation for the teaching of current biological techniques. Notable facilities in the Natural Sciences Building include the Scheffler Bio-Imaging Center, with a transilluminating fluorescence microscope with digital camera and imaging software, and a laboratory for undergraduate research, equipped with standard low-speed, high-speed, and ultracentrifuges, several PCR machines and spectrophotometers, a spectrofluorophotometer, walk-in warm and cold rooms, and a marine culture system.

The Barrett Research Program provides an invaluable opportunity for advanced students to carry out sophisticated research project. Students may apply for a Barrett Award for ten weeks of summer work; awardees should complete 1 credit of directed research during the preceding school year.

Students who major in biology at Mills pursue many different careers after graduating. Many enter professional schools in medical or health fields. Others enter graduate school in a wide variety of biological or biomedical sciences. Mills graduates also pursue careers in environmental consulting, science journalism, scientific illustration, science teaching, and biotechnological and industrial research.