Department of Biology: Indiana University Bloomington

See our undergraduate degree options

We offer several B.A. and B.S. degrees in the fields of Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, and Molecular Life Sciences.

Pursue your graduate degree

Our graduate students conduct cutting-edge research and receive specialized training in many key research areas.

A dip of strawberry ice cream on a sugar cone.

Can changing the microbiome reverse lactose intolerance?

Professor Emerita Pat Foster discusses lactose intolerance and how it may be possible for adults to enjoy ice cream and other dairy products again.

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Gabriel Muhire Gihana at a computer in the lab.

A candle loses nothing by lighting other candles

Gabriel M Gihana (Lacefield lab) is honored to be the first graduate student featured in the Journal of Cell Biology's People and Ideas series.

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One of Associate Professor Jake McKinlay's art pieces used to teach his undergraduate course on microbial physiology. This one demonstrates flagella unfurling as E. coli enter the oxygen-rich zone of a microbial mat, inhabited by algae and cyanobacteria, as purple bacteria harvest the dim light in the anoxic zone below.

IU biologist uses his own artwork in storytelling approach to microbiology class

Associate Professor Jake McKinlay takes a creative approach in teaching his advanced undergraduate course on microbial physiology and biochemistry.

Berndtson receives teaching award

Senior Lecturer Amy Berndtson has been awarded the David and Cheryl Morley Career Distinguished Teaching Award.

Director Eric Knox (left) instructs undergraduate student Maggie Vincent on how to affix a label to a specimen sheet.

Indiana University Herbarium completes massive plant digitization project

The digitization of more than 160,000 plant specimens will provide access to data to researchers across the globe.

NSF awards IU biologist $860,000 to study evolutionary development

Professor Armin Moczek will use Onthophagus beetles to better understand how novel complex traits originate during the evolutionary process.

A range of research strengths

Our faculty, research scientists, and graduate and undergraduate students are exploring everything from ecosystems to microbiology and developmental biology; evolution to cell biology; molecular biology to systems biology, bioinformatics, and genomics. Together, we explore the breadth of biological questions and experimental systems.

View our research

Diversity of expertise + scientific approach

Our faculty are world-class researchers and teachers who share an excitement for the life sciences. The diversity of expertise and scientific approach, combined with our exceptional collegial culture, is what makes IU Biology stand out and has made IU a premiere place for performing research.

Meet our faculty

Department of Biology

World-class teaching + research

See our undergraduate degree options

Pursue your graduate degree

Can changing the microbiome reverse lactose intolerance?

A candle loses nothing by lighting other candles

IU biologist uses his own artwork in storytelling approach to microbiology class

Berndtson receives teaching award

Indiana University Herbarium completes massive plant digitization project

NSF awards IU biologist $860,000 to study evolutionary development

A range of research strengths

Diversity of expertise + scientific approach

Ready to take the next step?

Incoming freshmen

Current IU students

Prospective graduate students

The College of Arts & Sciences

World-class teaching + research

See our undergraduate degree options

Pursue your graduate degree

Can changing the microbiome reverse lactose intolerance?

A candle loses nothing by lighting other candles

IU biologist uses his own artwork in storytelling approach to microbiology class

Berndtson receives teaching award

Indiana University Herbarium completes massive plant digitization project

NSF awards IU biologist $860,000 to study evolutionary development

A range of research strengths

Diversity of expertise + scientific approach

Ready to take the next step?

Incoming freshmen

Current IU students

Prospective graduate students

Department of Biology social media channels

The College of Arts & Sciences