Biology
The broad study of living things, from cells to ecosystems.
Biology covers life at every scale, molecules and cells, organisms, and ecosystems, giving you a broad scientific foundation before most programs let you specialize (molecular biology, ecology, physiology) in upper-level electives. It's one of the most flexible science majors, feeding into everything from research to health professions to environmental work.
Lab courses run alongside lecture from day one, and many programs expect or encourage undergraduate research experience, working in a faculty lab, by junior or senior year.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓General Biology I & II
- ✓General Chemistry
- ✓Organic Chemistry
- ✓Genetics
- ✓Cell Biology
- ✓Ecology & Evolution
- ✓Physiology
- ✓Undergraduate Research or Capstone
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓General Biology I & II
- +General education requirement
- ✓General Chemistry
- +General education requirement
- ✓Organic Chemistry
- +General education requirement
- ✓Genetics
- +Free elective
- ✓Cell Biology
- +Free elective
- ✓Ecology & Evolution
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Physiology
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Undergraduate Research or Capstone
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a 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
Common minors & double-major pairings
Chemistry · Environmental Science · Psychology
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Physician Assistant
Diagnoses and treats patients as part of a physician-led care team.
Physical Therapist
Helps patients recover movement and manage pain after injury or illness.
Medical Laboratory Technologist
Runs the lab tests that inform medical diagnoses.
Genetic Counselor
Helps patients understand genetic testing results and inherited health risks.
Registered Dietitian
Provides evidence-based nutrition guidance in clinical or community settings.
Research Scientist
Designs and runs experiments to answer scientific questions.
Wildlife Biologist
Studies animal populations, behavior, and habitats.
Public Health Analyst / Program Coordinator
Analyzes health data and coordinates programs to improve community health.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Biology major?
The broad study of living things, from cells to ecosystems.
What courses do Biology majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like General Biology I & II, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Biology program?
Biology coursework typically builds skills like Laboratory technique and scientific method, Data collection and analysis, Understanding biological systems across scales, Scientific writing and literature review.
Is Biology a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Curious about how living things work, broadly" or "Enjoys lab work and hands-on experimentation" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Biology degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Physician Assistant, Physical Therapist, Medical Laboratory Technologist. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Biology?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Chemistry, Environmental Science, Psychology.
How is Biology different from Biochemistry?
They're related but distinct. Biology: The broad study of living things, from cells to ecosystems. Biochemistry: The chemistry of life: molecules, reactions, and cellular processes. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Biology degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
From our guides
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/biology