Biology (BA)
About the Biology Bachelor of Arts Degree
The Bachelor of Arts in Biology program provides students with a broad foundation in biological sciences. Students gain exposure to diverse fields of biology, from cellular levels - including microbiology, cell biology, and genetics - to organismal levels, such as ecology, and evolution. Additionally, this program prepares students for employment across many fields that intersect with biology, by developing students’ public speaking, oral presentation, debate, and laboratory technical skills, as well as honing their scientific reading, writing, and abilities to critically evaluate primary scientific literature.
Note: The Biology major offers B.A. and B.S. options based on a foundational core curriculum in biology. Beyond this core, the B.S. in Biology provides an opportunity for students interested in biotechnology, biomedical sciences, and integrative biology (including pre-med, pre-veterinary, and pre-dental programs).Bio Lab
Biology Program Requirements
Learning Outcomes
This program will provide students with the opportunity to develop the following competencies and the ability to:
- Describe biological concepts at all levels, from cellular to organismal, and across diverse fields.
- Demonstrate an understanding of biological research from data acquisition to interpretation.
- Demonstrate laboratory technique and protocol understanding and proficiency.
- Demonstrate data analysis and interpretation.
- Discuss complex bioethical issues and principles across medical and scientific communities.
- Analyze findings in primary scientific literature.
- Describe biological innovations within societal context, understand current research, and anticipate future discoveries.
- Demonstrate public speaking, debate, and oral presentation skills regarding scientific concepts.
- Evaluate science described in the media or primary literature and form individual opinions
Program Snapshot
Credits: 127
Learning Format: On Campus
Semester Length: 15 weeks
Typical Time to Completion:
Typical Time to Completion:
4 years
Biology Career Track
Graduates of the Biology degree can obtain traditional laboratory technician jobs in clinical, academic, or industrial research laboratories. The Biology degree also prepares its graduates for jobs in numerous other settings, including: pharmaceutical positions such as sales or research; science outreach in museums, zoological parks, marine laboratories or educational organizations; medical equipment sales; science writing in textbook, research, or other scientific organizations and publication platforms; patent law; and forensic analysis.