World-class teaching + research

IU Biology is nationally recognized as an outstanding example of an integrated and unified department. We provide undergraduate and graduate students access to the full breadth of the exciting and dynamic fields within the biological sciences. Our students benefit from vibrant research programs and access to the latest technologies in research and teaching facilities.

Explore IU Biology

See our undergraduate degree options

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

Pursue your graduate degree

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

Who's a good dog?

Rudy Professor of Biology Sue Carter and colleagues have found that levels of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin influence canine social behaviors and aggression.

Red FDAA-labelled predatory Bdellovibrio bacteria invade initially unlabelled rod-shaped E coli bacteria making a blue FDAA labelled reinforced porthole in their cell wall on a tiny scale. The red Bdellovibrio invade the E coli through this porthole and while doing so round them up and apply blue FDAAs 'fresco-like' around the now spherical E coli wall, reinforcing it.

Predatory bacteria that engineer portholes and paint frescoes in harmful bacteria

IU and University of Nottingham scientists are investigating the invasive predatory bacteria Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus as a potential therapeutic to kill antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria.

IU Drosophila Stock Center workers prepare genetically modified fruit flies samples in Jordan Hall for shipment to research labs across the globe. Photo by Eric Rudd, IU Communications

IU is world leader on fruit fly genetics

"IU is truly the center of the Drosophila universe," says Assistant Professor Irene Newton. The Newton Lab and several other Biology labs use fruit flies in their research, and the department houses three critical NIH-funded centers that support Drosophila research globally.

van Kessel receives MIRA for Early Stage Investigators

Julia van Kessel has been funded $1.89 million for her grant titled “Quorum sensing regulation of bacterial development” through a Maximizing Investigators' Research Award for Early Stage Investigators.

Aubree Keurajian affixes a marker to a tree.

IU scientists measure nearly 30,000 trees to learn more about forests, climate

A small team of IU researchers (led by Technician Mark Sheehan [Phillips Lab]) took on a seemingly insurmountable task this summer: physically measuring the size and location of every tree in 62 acres of land deep within Lilly-Dickey Woods.

New IU Grand Challenge initiative to tackle major environmental threats to Hoosier health, economy

The "Prepared for Change" initiative (led by Distinguished Professor of Biology Ellen Ketterson) is making news around the state.

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

Who's a good dog?

Predatory bacteria that engineer portholes and paint frescoes in harmful bacteria

IU is world leader on fruit fly genetics

van Kessel receives MIRA for Early Stage Investigators

IU scientists measure nearly 30,000 trees to learn more about forests, climate

New IU Grand Challenge initiative to tackle major environmental threats to Hoosier health, economy

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

Who's a good dog?

Predatory bacteria that engineer portholes and paint frescoes in harmful bacteria

IU is world leader on fruit fly genetics

van Kessel receives MIRA for Early Stage Investigators

IU scientists measure nearly 30,000 trees to learn more about forests, climate

New IU Grand Challenge initiative to tackle major environmental threats to Hoosier health, economy

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