Biology

Center for the Environment 

We've combined our environmentally focused programs and bold new initiatives to create a brand new Center for the Environment–your hub for all things climate change, energy, conservation, sustainability, environmental justice, outdoor leadership, and more.

Explore the Center for the Environment 

Living Lab

Many biology classes take advantage of our 110-acre Living Lab, whether it’s observing amphibians in our wetlands or shearing sheep for an eco-fiber course.

Research 

Explore your interests further, either during the semester or through a paid summer fellowship. 

Senior Year Experience (SYE)

Turn your passion into a project with a Senior Year Experience like Evelyn Albrecht ’25 and Katherine Gardener ’25 did. They analyzed 13 years of campus data using GIS mapping to identify buildings most responsible for bird-window collisions, revealing glass-heavy structures as key danger zones and emphasizing the need for targeted, cost-effective solutions to reduce bird mortality.

Explore Research 

Q&A: Meet Professor Susan Willson

Associate Professor of Biology Susan Willson combines her love of ecology and hands-on teaching to inspire students to explore the natural world. Whether in the snow-covered forests of the North Country or the biodiverse landscapes of Ecuador, her courses connect ecological science with real-world stewardship. 

What’s your favorite class to teach, and why? 

I love teaching General Ecology. It’s a small class, which allows me to get to know students individually, and we spend a lot of time outdoors collecting ecological data. Teaching it in the winter is especially fun—students learn to do forest transects on snowshoes, looking for deer activity to understand how snow depth affects habitat use, and they also learn our local trees by bud structure and bark. We also dive into data analysis and ecological stewardship, giving students a full picture of the scientific process.

How do you make your courses engaging? 

I bring learning outdoors whenever possible. In Ecuador, for example, each ecosystem becomes our lab as we explore biodiversity and conservation. I also invite local experts—ecologists, indigenous plant specialists, and artists—to share their knowledge with students. This approach emphasizes that university knowledge is only part of the solution to environmental challenges and that collaboration with local communities is essential.

What do you value most about your students? 

Their curiosity and energy. St. Lawrence students are eager to know more, care deeply about the state of the world, and want to make a difference. I’m constantly inspired by their enthusiasm and their commitment to making the world a better place. 

Volunteer

You can also gain experience while making a difference through service work. Our biology majors have:

• Tutored students in local high schools
• Maintained National Park trails in Costa Rica
• Collaborated with grassroots organizers on sustainable development
• Raised money for childhood cancer research

Learn About Volunteering

Study Abroad

Choose from more than 30 semester-long programs in more than 20 international locations, including Australia, Costa Rica, India, Kenya, Thailand, and Trinidad.

The Adirondack Semester

Live off the grid in a remote yurt village: forage food, cook meals, enjoy the wilderness, and take classes like nature writing and environmental ethics.  

Short-Term Trips & Field Experiences

In addition to semester- and year-long programs, you’ll also have the chance to participate in short-term travel study trips with your professors and classmates.

Explore Off-Campus Study

Community Connections

Among the 150+ clubs and organizations at St. Lawrence, you’ll find many that involve the natural world and medical field aspirations, including:

• Model U.N.
• Pre-Health Club
• Pre-Dental Club
• American Chemical Organization
• Environmental Action Organization
• The Advocates Program
• SLU Medical Brigade
• Seed to Table
• The Greenhouse
• Beta Beta Beta Honor Society 

Learn More About Student Life

Alumni Network 

St. Lawrence graduates are big thinkers, problem solvers, and fearless leaders at companies and organizations across the country and world. Our alumni network is the second-most influential source for recent graduate employment (only behind internships).

Explore the Power of our Alumni Network

Outcomes

For all of our alumni, the quest for evidence and answers doesn’t stop after Commencement. Some choose to make this activity a profession. You can find them in the field or the lab, using their talents to communicate the importance of their research and engage others in their work.

Learn About Sucess After St. Lawrence