Biology

Basic Sciences Division

Cadet working in biology lab

Study different facets of biology within our molecular biology lab, life sciences research center, aerospace physiology lab, genetics lab, cadaver lab and greenhouse.

ABOUT US

Are you interested in what makes your body function? Are you fascinated by the vast diversity of living organisms on this planet? Does the idea of decoding a strand of DNA interest you? The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Department of Biology helps cadets pursue these interests through academic instruction, practical laboratory experience and individual research projects.

Our graduates pursue careers in medicine or dentistry or in the Biomedical Sciences Corps (including aerospace physiology, bioenvironmental engineering and physical therapy).

Our department boasts numerous facilities and learning resources including a molecular biology lab, life sciences research center, aerospace physiology lab, genetics lab, cadaver lab and greenhouse. Extensive undergraduate research opportunities also exist for a variety of sub-disciplines within the department.

Learn about Biology Outreach Programs.

Biology Faculty and Staff

MAJORS & MINORS

Biology
(Major)

Basic Sciences
(Divisional Major)*

*Restrictions Apply

Department News News From Around The Department

March 18, 2024

Experts help cadets understand the future of war-fighting

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Lauren Blackwelder flies a simulator in the Multi-Domain Laboratory during the Firstie Flag exercise Feb. 10, 2024. The Institute for Future Conflict places cadets in the lab to provide a glimpse into missions in a potential conflict with a great-power adversary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Travis Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – First-class cadets eyeing the roles they will play in competition with other world powers will face different adversaries and threats than previous generations of officers. The Institute for Future Conflict...

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December 6, 2023

Team wins gold for iGEM research in Paris

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Cosmo Cao conducts an experiment as part of his research. Cao was part of the Academy’s 17-cadet iGEM team that earned a gold medal for their Lyme disease research during the international Genetic Engineering Machine Grand Jamboree in Paris Nov. 2-5, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Jordan Steel) By Randy Roughton and Jeff Troth U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- The U.S. Air Force Academy iGEM team’s Lyme disease research helped them win a gold medal at the international Genetic Engineering Machine Grand Jamboree Nov. 2-5. The gold...

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February 13, 2023

Cadet earns leadership award, scholarship to attend medical school

Cadet 1st Class Sirri Akaya poses outside Fairchild Hall, Jan. 31, 2022. She recently won the Black Engineer of the Year Award for Military Student Leadership. The U.S. Air Force Academy senior plans to attend medical school next year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo – Cadet 1st Class Sirri Akaya fell in love with biology in high school and has never looked back. She’s scheduled to graduate this June from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in biology and a Health Professionals...

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Cadet Resources

HQ USAFA/DFB
2355 Faculty Drive, Suite 2P-389
United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840
(719) 333-2720 | DSN 333-2720
(719) 333-2420 | DSN 333-2420