About Us

front of the biology building

Biology Building

The 82,000-square-foot Biology Building, features teaching labs, research labs, environmental control rooms, a seawater lab, image analysis labs, and multimedia lecture halls. The Biology department also maintains a greenhouse on campus that supports teaching and research activities. The beautiful nearby Cascade and Olympic mountains support a rich diversity of aquatic and terrestrial habitats that are frequently utilized for course and individual projects that focus on organismal or ecological aspects of biology. Our Marine Biology program is enriched through our affiliation with WWU’s Shannon Point Marine Center near Anacortes, WA.

 

Mission & Vision Statement

In support of the mission of Western Washington University and the College of Sciences and Technology, the mission of the Biology Department is to provide an outstanding learning environment that integrates education, scholarship, and service in order to actively engage students in the biological sciences and foster their development as lifelong learners. Successful graduates of our Department will understand fundamental biological principles in depth, will have laboratory and field skills to answer biological questions, will have enhanced critical thinking and quantitative skills, will be able to communicate precisely and analytically in written and oral forms, and will be able to engage independently and collaboratively to be thoughtful and productive contributors to society.

front of the biology building

Department Office - BI 315

(360) 650-3627

Winter Office Hours

Monday-Friday: 8:30-12:00 and 1:00-4:00

Available M-F 8-5pm via phone and email

Department Stockroom – BI 254

(360) 650-3644

Hours

Call Stockroom to inquire

General Biology Department Contacts

Administrative Services Manager - Juliet Barnes

Juliet.Barnes@wwu.edu

Undergraduate Program Coordinators - Maren Brinson and Alexis Donnelly

BiologyAdvising@wwu.edu

Stockroom Supervisor - Peter Thut

Peter.Thut@wwu.edu

Directions to Campus

When approaching Bellingham from the north or south on Interstate 5, take Exit #252, marked Samish Way and W.W.U. Turn west onto Samish Way and follow the signs to Bill McDonald Parkway and the University campus. For parking information call (360) 650-2945 or stop by the campus Visitor Center.

Biology Department
Western Washington University 
Biology Building, Mail Stop 9160
Bellingham, WA 98225-9160

students walking past university building

Visit the Biology Department at Western

The Biology Building (BI) is located at the southern end of Western Washington University's campus, about a 10-15 minute walk from the Viking Union and Old Main.

Prospective students and their families interested in biology programs at Western should contact the Biology Department Office for more information. With advance notice, appointments may be arranged with our Undergraduate Program Coordinators. To schedule a visit, send an email to biologyadvising@wwu.edu or call (360) 650-6165. Observing a biology course during your visit may be possible with advance notice and permission of the instructor. Prior to your visit, we encourage you to check out the following informational links to learn more about biology programs and curriculum, scholarships and undergraduate research opportunities.
 


Please visit our advising page for more detailed information