INFORMATION FOR
The Department of Biology offers opportunities for a superior education that provides a pathway to careers in the medical professions, research, industry and more.
"We’re lucky, as biology students at William Paterson. We have access to hands-on experiences with awesome professors who take the time to mentor us and get to know us." Grace shares her story.
Alumni in science and health are employed or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation
Average starting salaries in Biology/Biotech Fields (NACE)
Noteworthy Biology/Biotech Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries with 8+ Years of Experience (PayScale)
The BS in Biology offers the following concentrations:
Accelerated Program:
View academic program requirements and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog:
Loading...
The biotechnology program emphasizes coursework and training in many aspects of molecular biology, genetics, plant tissue culture, animal cell culture, DNA analysis techniques, protein isolation and recombinant DNA techniques. Graduates are prepared to pursue further graduate study in biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and other related areas or to obtain employment in academic, clinical, industrial, or government research laboratories.
Qualified William Paterson University undergraduate students may complete an undergraduate bachelor's and a graduate master's degree in five years by taking graduate-level courses during their senior year. The program is open to BS Biology and BS Biotechnology majors, and leads to the MS Biotechnology degree.
A BA in integrated mathematics and science with a concentration in biology will give students exposure to major disciplines in the field, including genetics and environmental sustainability. Students will be able to engage in research, take advantage of advanced laboratories, and focus study on at least one major discipline within biology. This degree is ideal for students in pursuit of a career in science education at the secondary level, but also prepares students for medical school, dental school, and pharmacy school.
The MS in biotechnology focuses on preparing students for successful careers in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries. The program provides a structured curriculum that focuses on experimental design, data interpretation, and development of technical laboratory skills. This program also encourages students to take up to two graduate courses in business and/or professional communications to develop the soft skills needed to succeed in the business/industry environment. The thesis option is open to research in the areas of cell/molecular biology and genomics. Learn more »
The post-baccalaureate program is a certificate program intended for college graduates who wish to pursue a medical or other pre-professional education but have not yet taken any or all of the science courses required for admission to medical or other pre-professional schools including dentistry, veterinary, physician's assistant, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and other health care professions. Students in this program are eligible for financial aid.
Learn more »
The biology major is the most popular and straightforward (no extra coursework required) route to gaining admission to all medically related professional schools to pursue a degree as a doctor, dentist, veterinarian, pharmacist, physician’s assistant, physical therapist (PT), or medical perfusionist. The biotechnology major prepares students for careers in academic, clinical, industrial, or government research labs, and for graduate study in biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and related fields.
In our biology/biotechnology programs, students learn in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for job candidates, including:
Many of our graduates pursue advanced degrees in medicine, veterinary science, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Other jobs in the field include senior laboratory technician, biology technician, biochemist, research scientist, biologist/microbiologist, health communications specialist, pharmaceutical sales rep, biology teacher, and medical equipment sales, among others.
Our professors are proud practitioners in their fields and love to share their expertise beyond the classroom. Mentorship is at the core of our department, and it’s our goal that every student work directly with a faculty member to expand their knowledge and worldview.
Biology major and current medical student at The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas
And we're ready to help you grow. At William Paterson, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to forge forward as a powerhouse—both in the classroom and in their careers. Apply today to discover your potential.
Five William Paterson University student researchers working alongside Associate Professor of Biology Kelley Healey have identified a biological pathway that plays a critical role in drug resistance associated with a dangerous fungal pathogen.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Microbiology Spectrum, was co-authored by Healey and five students who conducted research in her laboratory on campus: Zubayeda Uddin ’25, MS ’26—who is the study’s first author—along with fellow WP student researchers Saira Tahsin ’23, Klara Valickova ’25, Laura Fruhauf De Macedo ’24, MS ’25, and Gabrielle Popencuk ’22.
The research examined Candida glabrata, an increasingly common cause of serious fungal infections known for developing resistance to antifungal drugs. Using laboratory models, the researchers investigated how a protein called Slt2 helps the fungus withstand echinocandins, an important class of medications used to treat Candida infections.
“The student researchers played significant roles in this study, particularly through the construction of over 20 new strains and comprehensive drug susceptibility testing,” Healey explains.
Overall, the students’ work was “essential to the project and a major part of the published manuscript.”
The researchers found that disrupting SLT2 eliminated echinocandin resistance in a significant subset of the drug-resistant strains they studied.
“This study provides both further insight into the regulation of echinocandin drug resistance in Candida glabrata and a possible therapeutic target for resistant infections,” Healey explains.
The research opportunity was particularly significant for Uddin, who earned her bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from WP in 2025 and her master’s degree in biotechnology in 2026. Her designation as the study’s first author reflects the central role she played in the project.
“Being part of this research gave me the opportunity to take what I learned in the classroom and apply it to a real scientific question. I contributed to the experimental work, analyzed our findings, and presented our lab’s research at seminars and conferences, which helped me develop my scientific communication skills and confidence. The experiences and skills I gained through research also helped me secure a pharmaceutical internship as a junior, where I was able to apply what I had learned in a professional setting,” says Uddin, who is currently working fulltime in a clinical diagnostics lab.
“Seeing the work progress from an undergraduate research project to a peer-reviewed publication has been incredibly rewarding and showed me firsthand how undergraduate research can open doors and shape your career.”
Of her William Paterson peers who worked on the study, three are employed as laboratory technicians – in the healthcare, higher education, and pharmaceutical industries respectively – and one is pursuing a PhD in biological chemistry.
The study was also co-authored by Tengfei Long, a postdoctoral research associate, and Yanan Zhao, professor of pharmacy practice, both at the University at Buffalo.
Healey says the study exemplifies the kind of hands-on research experience William Paterson faculty members strive to provide students while advancing research in their fields. “Faculty with active research programs dedicate a significant amount of time and effort to ensure that our research students have meaningful experiences and succeed post-graduation,” she says.
