Best Bachelor of Science in Biology Programs

Thinking about earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology? Earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology (a BS in Biology) is a fantastic step toward a career in any area of biology, whether it be teaching general biology or working in molecular biology.

Choosing to enroll in one of the following programs is a great way to start your biology career. Sure, plenty of schools offer biology degrees, but are they the best? 

It is a wise decision to choose the highest-rated programs for any degree as it ensures quality education and the best use of your money. Researching the best degree in biology for your higher education is even more important as top school equipment and faculty members are keys to a great major in biology.

Best BS in Biology Programs

While the following five programs are only a few of those available, they are among the very best in the United States. Applying to any one of these bachelor’s degrees is a fantastic idea. Be sure to research all of your choices and their college application and admission process to better your chances of being accepted.

George Mason University

Located in Fairfax, Virginia, George Mason University offers both a BS in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology. Students enrolled in the BS program will be required to complete 51 credit hours of core coursework and an additional 31 credit hours of electives. Elective courses for this degree coincide with other topics in biology. Courses include studies in anatomy and microbiology.

Students enrolled in George Mason University’s program will have the option to choose from one of five concentrations. These include bioinformatics, biopsychology, biotechnology and molecular biology, environmental and conservation biology, and microbiology. Depending on the concentration chosen, students will be enrolled in a certain set of elective courses to complete the concentration.

West Virginia University

In Morgantown, West Virginia, you can apply to West Virginia University’s BS in Biology program. This program is designed to help prepare students for medical school, work in the medical field, and pursuing graduate-level degrees. If you would rather knock off a few credit hours, you can also enroll in the BA in Biology program that consists of 52 total credit hours rather than the BS program’s 58.

You can choose one of four concentrations while enrolled in this program. For those interested in going into the medical field, choosing an emphasis on cellular and molecular biology or genomics can aid your understanding of medical sciences. For those more interested in other careers or simply in pursuing a graduate-level degree, choosing an emphasis in neuroscience or ecology and environmental biology is the way to go.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, offers students the opportunity to enroll in a BS program in molecular and cellular biology. This program is designed specifically for students who wish to pursue studies in biomedical sciences. It is safe to say this is a fantastic option for future PhD students and premed students alike.

The primary focus of this program is for students to complete a research project. While there are traditional core courses, students will spend quite a bit of time conducting research. Alongside the research projects, students will complete specialized courses developed specifically for this program.

Florida State University

At Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, students can enroll in a BS or a BA program in biological science. Both programs require students to complete 120 credit hours of coursework, with 38 credits being in general coursework and up to 37 credits in collateral courses. These courses include chemistry, trigonometry, and calculus.

Students in this program are required to take general and specialized courses. The specialized courses must be taken in two of three areas. Cell and molecular biology, physiology, or ecology and environmental sciences are the options, and some courses cover all three. There are also options for students to customize their degrees. By choosing one of the several tracks offered, students can have a tailored degree program.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama, offers a BS program in biology.  This program provides students with the choice of three different tracks to choose from. For those interested in marine science, there is a marine science track. There is one designed for students who intend to study DNA science- the molecular biology track. And, for those who need post-graduation flexibility, there is the integrated biology track.

All three of the tracks include the same core courses in biology. After the core courses are completed, students begin more specialized classes for their designated track. The marine science track is the longest, requiring 74 to 76 credits. As a close second, the molecular biology track requires 71 credits and the integrated biology track requires 56 to 58 credits. Whichever track you choose, you will have the option to combine it with a master of science in biology, giving you a head start.

Why You Should Choose a Biology Bachelor of Science Degree

By enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Biology program, you are giving yourself a great start to your career. The programs listed above are only a few of the ones available, but we recommend applying to as many of them as you can. Being able to earn a degree from one of the top BS in science programs is a huge accomplishment that benefits your future.

Employers will be excited to see a degree from any of the above universities, which could be the deciding factor between you and other candidates. If you are planning on pursuing a graduate-level degree, many of these programs offer easier ways into master’s programs. Whatever the deciding factor is for you, enrolling in one of these Bachelor of Science in Biology programs is the way to go.