The biology curriculum is designed to provide students with biological knowledge and to develop scientific skills as part of their liberal arts education. It prepares students for graduate or professional programs and for careers such as secondary biology education, government service, or private sector employment.

A liberal arts education and study in a particular major will lead to the acquisition of a group of skills which enable one to solve problems, communicate effectively, and perform complicated tasks. These skills are essential in any career. The following is a list of important and commonly agreed upon career skills identified by UMM biology faculty as a part of the project to Improve Public Understanding of Liberal Learning (IMPULL). The skills are those which all or most students studying biology are likely to acquire through classroom instruction, co-curricular or extra-curricular activities.