Compare two majors
Pick any two majors to see courses, skills, and typical career roles side by side. Useful if you're weighing two options that sound similar, like Computer Science vs. Data Science, or Biology vs. Biochemistry.
Biological & Life Sciences
Environmental Science
How natural systems work and how human activity affects them.
Typical courses
- ✓General Biology & Chemistry
- ✓Ecology
- ✓Environmental Chemistry
- ✓Earth Systems Science
- ✓Environmental Policy
- ✓GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Skills you'll build
Field sampling and ecological survey methodsEnvironmental data analysis (including GIS)Understanding environmental policy and regulationInterdisciplinary scientific reasoningScientific writing and reportingSystems thinking about human-environment interactionLab technique across multiple science disciplines
Good fit if you...
- ★Cares about environmental and sustainability issues
- ★Enjoys both fieldwork and lab-based science
- ★Comfortable connecting science with policy and public impact
- ★Interested in an interdisciplinary rather than narrowly specialized science degree
Biological & Life Sciences
Biology
The broad study of living things, from cells to ecosystems.
Typical courses
- ✓General Biology I & II
- ✓General Chemistry
- ✓Organic Chemistry
- ✓Genetics
- ✓Cell Biology
- ✓Ecology & Evolution
Skills you'll build
Laboratory technique and scientific methodData collection and analysisUnderstanding biological systems across scalesScientific writing and literature reviewHypothesis testing and experimental designMicroscopy and lab instrumentationCritical evaluation of scientific claims
Good fit if you...
- ★Curious about how living things work, broadly
- ★Enjoys lab work and hands-on experimentation
- ★Comfortable with a heavy science and math course load
- ★Wants flexibility before committing to a specific health or science path
Roles this could lead to
This comparison covers what each field of study typically includes. It's not a ranking, and it isn't a guarantee of course availability or outcomes at any specific school. See our disclaimer.