Biological studies at the college level can prepare you for various careers or advanced study in areas such as science, medicine, dentistry and teaching. Before selecting a biology degree program, aspiring students should first identify their career goals. For example, if you’re interested in a teaching career you may only need to earn a bachelor’s degree, but if you’re intent on pursuing a career in scientific research and medicine you’ll have to earn master’s or PhD degree. Students should seek to earn their degree at a college or university that provide programs that will support or further their career objectives. Students interested in applying to medical school should pursue a biology degree at a college or university that provides a pre-med track.
Biology offers a plethora of specializations, including microbiology, marine biology, genetics, plant biology or cellular biology. Students who already know where they want to specialize should look for a college that offers a degree or concentration in their area of interest. Biology students pursuing a master’s or graduate degree should seek a program that has a strong biological sciences research program and opportunities to gain hands-on experience in campus labs or through an internship.
Much of today’s biology work occurs in the lab. When review potential colleges, prospective students need to make sure they find a college that has modern, well-equipped labs and that provides courses with ample hands-on lab time.
Biology Colleges and Universities with the Largest Student Enrollment
College/University | Student Population | Institution Type |
---|---|---|
Arizona State University | 67,082 | 4-year, Public |
Ohio State University-Main Campus | 53,715 | 4-year, Public |
University of Florida | 51,474 | 4-year, Public |
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | 51,140 | 4-year, Public |
University of Central Florida | 50,121 | 4-year, Public |
The University of Texas at Austin | 49,984 | 4-year, Public |
Texas A & M University | 48,039 | 4-year, Public |
Michigan State University | 46,510 | 4-year, Public |
University of South Florida | 46,189 | 4-year, Public |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | 44,406 | 4-year, Public |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 43,246 | 4-year, Public |
University of Wisconsin-Madison | 41,620 | 4-year, Public |
Purdue University-Main Campus | 41,433 | 4-year, Public |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 41,028 | 4-year, Public |
Indiana University-Bloomington | 40,354 | 4-year, Public |
College of Southern Nevada | 40,310 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus | 39,675 | 4-year, Public |
Florida International University | 38,759 | 4-year, Public |
Florida State University | 38,682 | 4-year, Public |
Biology students study plant and animal life from the cellular levels and how environmental factors affect local and global ecosystems. A biologist studies how organisms evolve, what they’re composed of, how organ and systems function, and how organisms interact with the physical environment. Biologists frequently participate in research to determine how organisms within ecosystems are related. Research findings often lead to the development of new medicines and changes to public policy. Biology majors can pursue various careers after graduating, which includes biomedicine research and development, education, allied health, while many students attend graduate school. Many students enrolled in veterinary, dental, and medical schools studied biology as undergraduates.
Biology is ideal for students interested in generalized study, and those interested in specializing in a sub-field of biology. Students usually determine their focus after consulting with a biology advisor. Those interested in health or biological science careers should study biology or a related discipline as undergraduates. Additionally, students pursuing careers in non-biological industries who would benefit from developing knowledge about the scientific process and biology should consider majoring in biology.
Select a concentration below to explore various biology majors and view colleges and universities offering majors and degree programs in biology and biological sciences.
- Biology/biological Sciences, General
- Biomedical Sciences, General
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Molecular Biochemistry
- Molecular Biophysics
- Structural Biology
- Radiation Biology/radiobiology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
- Botany/plant Biology
- Plant Pathology/phytopathology
- Plant Physiology
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Botany/plant Biology, Other
- Cell/cellular Biology and Histology
- Anatomy
- Developmental Biology and Embryology
- Cell/cellular and Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology and Anatomy
- Cell/cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
- Microbiology, General
- Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
- Virology
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, Other
- Zoology/animal Biology
- Entomology
- Animal Physiology
- Animal Behavior and Ethology
- Wildlife Biology
- Zoology/animal Biology, Other
- Genetics, General
- Molecular Genetics
- Animal Genetics
- Plant Genetics
- Human/medical Genetics
- Genome Sciences/genomics
- Genetics, Other
- Physiology, General
- Molecular Physiology
- Cell Physiology
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
- Cardiovascular Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Vision Science/physiological Optics
- Pathology/experimental Pathology
- Oncology and Cancer Biology
- Aerospace Physiology and Medicine
- Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Pharmacology
- Neuropharmacology
- Toxicology
- Molecular Toxicology
- Environmental Toxicology
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Biometry/biometrics
- Biostatistics
- Bioinformatics
- Computational Biology
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
- Biotechnology
- Ecology
- Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
- Evolutionary Biology
- Aquatic Biology/limnology
- Environmental Biology
- Population Biology
- Conservation Biology
- Systematic Biology/biological Systematics
- Epidemiology
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other
- Molecular Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Neuroanatomy
- Neurobiology and Anatomy
- Neurobiology and Behavior
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
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