BA or BS in Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of California Berkeley

Program Overview

The Robinson Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship (LSBE) Program at UC Berkeley combines biological sciences with business administration, preparing students to understand scientific discoveries and explore how they can be developed into commercial innovations. Through coursework in biology, biotechnology, entrepreneurship, and business management, students build the scientific knowledge, analytical skills, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to pursue opportunities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, research, and emerging life science ventures.

Curriculum Structure

First Year

Students begin by developing a strong foundation in biological sciences, mathematics, chemistry, and communication. Courses such as Biology 1A (General Biology), Biology 1AL (General Biology Laboratory), Math 1A (Calculus), and Chemistry 1A introduce essential scientific and quantitative concepts. Students also take Introduction to Biotechnology to explore the relationship between scientific research and business innovation.

Second Year

The second year builds students' understanding of business fundamentals while completing the prerequisite coursework for their chosen biological sciences major. Students study Introduction to Business, Introduction to Probability and Statistics, Economics, and Physics, developing analytical, economic, and scientific problem-solving skills. Students admitted to LSBE also complete the New Admit Seminar, which introduces program expectations and supports their transition into the dual-degree curriculum.

Third Year

Students move into advanced business and biological science subjects, developing their understanding of organizational management, finance, marketing, and scientific research. Business courses include Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, and Marketing, while biology students undertake upper-division subjects aligned with their selected major in Molecular and Cell Biology, Integrative Biology, or Neuroscience. This stage strengthens their ability to connect scientific knowledge with business strategy and commercial applications.

Fourth Year

The final year emphasizes advanced specialization, practical application, and the integration of scientific and commercial knowledge. Students complete upper-division business and biology requirements alongside their selected biological science electives. The program concludes with a dedicated LSBE Capstone, where students bring together their learning from both degrees to explore challenges and opportunities at the intersection of life sciences and business.

Focus Areas

Biotechnology and Commercialization, Molecular and Cell Biology, Integrative Biology, Neuroscience, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, Business Strategy, Scientific Research, Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industries, Life Science Product Development.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to connect biological and scientific principles with business decision-making, analyze scientific and commercial opportunities, apply quantitative and analytical methods, understand biotechnology commercialization, communicate across scientific and business disciplines, collaborate on interdisciplinary challenges, and explore entrepreneurial approaches to innovation in life sciences.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is jointly administered by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and the College of Letters and Science. Students complete the academic requirements for both the BS in Business Administration and their selected BA in Biological Sciences. The university's official LSBE program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the dual-degree program.

Reputation (Employability and Academic Recognition)

UC Berkeley offers students access to the academic and professional networks of the Haas School of Business and its biological sciences departments. The program's location in the San Francisco Bay Area provides proximity to biotechnology, healthcare, and technology organizations. Students also benefit from specialized faculty instruction, mentoring, networking, and career coaching.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Robinson LSBE Program gives students opportunities to connect scientific knowledge with business applications through research experiences, internships, industry engagement, and entrepreneurship-focused projects. Students are encouraged to pursue both a research internship in a laboratory or industry setting and a business internship in areas such as finance, product management, consulting, or business development. The senior capstone provides a particularly practical experience, allowing students to develop and pitch a business plan for a biotechnology startup while receiving feedback from industry professionals.

Students gain practical experience through the following opportunities:

Biotechnology Research: Students can explore research opportunities with Berkeley biosciences faculty and gain exposure to scientific investigation and biotechnology development.
Research and Business Internships: The program encourages students to undertake two internships, one focused on scientific research and another in business, finance, consulting, product management, or business development.
Biotechnology Capstone Project: Student teams develop a comprehensive business plan for a partner biotech startup, covering technology, disease landscape, unmet medical needs, clinical development, commercialization, risk management, and financial projections.
Industry Presentations: Weekly guest lectures and coffee chats with industry professionals allow students to understand real-world challenges in biotechnology and business.
Pitch Competition: Students present their biotechnology business proposals to a panel of industry leaders and faculty at the end of the capstone semester.
Industry Site Visits: LSBE students have participated in visits to Gilead Sciences headquarters and Centerview's San Francisco offices.
Career Exploration Events: Students can attend industry discussions, including investment banking fireside chats, healthcare consulting sessions, and startup-focused events.
Student Organizations: Students can engage with the Bio-Business Initiative and Undergraduate Biotech Association to explore business and innovation in the biological sciences.
Specialized Mentoring: Faculty and program staff provide mentoring, professional development, and connections to research and business opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Robinson LSBE Program develop an interdisciplinary foundation that allows them to explore opportunities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, finance, consulting, and scientific research. By combining a BS in Business Administration with a BA in a biological sciences discipline, students can pursue roles that require both scientific understanding and commercial decision-making. The program also provides preparation for advanced education in medicine, biosciences, business, and research.

Potential Career Opportunities

Biotechnology Business Analyst, Healthcare Consultant, Life Sciences Consultant, Pharmaceutical Product Manager, Business Development Associate, Biotechnology Research Associate, Investment Banking Analyst, Clinical Research Coordinator, Biotech Startup Entrepreneur, Pharmaceutical Market Research Analyst.

Career Development and Graduate Outcomes

Students can build their professional experience and prepare for future opportunities through the following resources:

Career Advising: Haas Undergraduate Program career counselors provide career advising, while Berkeley Career Engagement offers career counseling, job and internship listings, career fairs, and professional development resources.
Industry Readiness: LSBE organizes professional development workshops, industry-readiness programming, and career exploration events to help students understand different career pathways.
Internship Opportunities: The program encourages research and business internships, giving students exposure to both scientific and commercial work environments.
Industry Connections: Students have access to professional engagement opportunities, including Gilead Sciences site visits, consulting discussions, investment banking events, and startup-related sessions.
Corporate Partnerships: LSBE corporate partners support opportunities involving research, training, and experiential learning.
Graduate Outcomes: According to the official LSBE FAQ, four graduating cohorts comprising 84 students had entered investment banking, consulting, industry positions, and MD and PhD graduate programs.
Research and Academic Preparation: The curriculum supports students interested in medical school, biosciences graduate programs, MBA studies, and doctoral research.
Professional Development: Specialized mentoring from business and bioscience faculty helps students explore career pathways and develop their professional networks.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the dual bachelor's degrees, graduates can pursue advanced qualifications depending on their career interests:

Master of Business Administration (MBA): For students interested in business leadership, management, entrepreneurship, or life sciences commercialization.
Master's in Biotechnology or Biosciences: To deepen scientific knowledge and pursue specialized roles in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research.
Master's in Public Health (MPH): For students interested in healthcare systems, population health, and public health initiatives.
Doctor of Medicine (MD): The program's coursework supports students pursuing medical education, subject to individual medical school prerequisites.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): For graduates interested in advanced research in molecular and cell biology, integrative biology, neuroscience, or related disciplines.