Biological Sciences BS/ Biological Sciences MS

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Drexel University

Program Overview

The Biological Sciences BS/MS Accelerated Degree at Drexel University is designed for academically strong students who want to build advanced expertise in the biological sciences while completing both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in five years. It suits students interested in laboratory research, biotechnology, medicine, health-related fields or graduate-level biological science, with opportunities to specialize across areas such as cell and molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, ecology, evolution, genomics, pathobiology and cell and gene therapy.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students establish a strong foundation in biological and chemical sciences through courses such as BIO 131 – Cells and Biomolecules, BIO 132 – Genetics and Evolution, and BIO 133 – Physiology and Ecology, supported by laboratory courses and General Chemistry. This first year develops an understanding of cells, biomolecules, heredity, evolution, physiology and ecological relationships while introducing students to laboratory-based biological study.

Year 2: Students move into more detailed molecular and cellular study through BIO 209 – Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology I, BIO 211 – Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology II, and BIO 219 – Techniques in Molecular Biology. Organic chemistry and physics are also introduced, giving students the scientific background needed to understand biological mechanisms and apply modern molecular techniques.

Year 3: Students deepen their biological knowledge through advanced core and concentration coursework, with options such as BIO 311 – Biochemistry, BIO 314 – Pharmacology, BIO 318 – Biology of Cancer, BIO 331 – Bioinformatics I, or BIO 332 – Bioinformatics II. Students can begin shaping their studies toward areas such as molecular biology, genetics, physiology, genomics, pathobiology or other concentration interests.

Year 4: The final undergraduate stage emphasizes advanced concentration courses, laboratory work and biological science seminars. Depending on their chosen concentration, students can study subjects such as BIO 346 – Stem Cell Research, BIO 348 – Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits, BIO 410 – Advanced Molecular Biology, BIO 426 – Immunology, BIO 466 – Endocrinology, or BIO 468 – Pathophysiology, while completing the requirements for the BS.

Year 5: Students complete the graduate portion of the accelerated program, which requires at least 45 graduate quarter credits and follows the requirements of Drexel's Biological Sciences MS. Students may choose either a thesis or non-thesis pathway, with graduate study emphasizing advanced biological sciences, research skills, critical analysis and scientific communication; the thesis option includes developing, completing and defending a research-based thesis.

Focus areas: Cell/Molecular Biology/Genetics/Biochemistry, Organismal Biology/Physiology, Ecology/Evolution/Genomics, Pathobiology, General Biology, Cell and Gene Therapy

Learning outcomes: Develop functional knowledge of biology, perform techniques relevant to modern biology, critically analyze biological literature and experimental design, communicate scientific information effectively, conduct science ethically, and prepare for careers or further study in biology and related fields.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The program is a biological sciences degree rather than an engineering or professionally accredited engineering program. Its curriculum is designed to prepare students for technical careers in research and commercial laboratories as well as advanced study in medicine, health-related disciplines, biology and teaching.

Reputation (employability rankings): Drexel states that Biological Sciences graduates are prepared for technical careers in research and commercial laboratories and reports that graduates have pursued positions with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, university and medical research laboratories and government laboratories. The university also states that biological sciences graduates enjoy a high placement rate and competitive salaries.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical biological science experience through laboratory courses, molecular biology techniques, co-op placements and access to Drexel's teaching and research laboratories. The Department of Biology is based in the Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building, where students have access to modern laboratory infrastructure including advanced microscopy, digital image analysis, cell imaging and cell culture facilities. The program's co-op option also allows students to apply their biological science knowledge in professional laboratory and research environments.

Specific opportunities include:

Molecular biology techniques: BIO 219 – Techniques in Molecular Biology provides dedicated training in techniques used in modern biological research.
Laboratory-based biology: Students complete laboratories connected with Cells and Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution, and Physiology and Ecology, developing practical skills alongside core biological concepts.
Advanced imaging: Department facilities include light microscopy, confocal microscopy and a Cell Imaging Center, supporting biological observation and research.
Digital analysis: Teaching laboratories include networked computers and advanced digital image analysis capability.
Cell culture: Biology research and teaching laboratories include cell culture facilities, allowing students to work with biological systems in laboratory settings.
Laboratory instrumentation: Facilities include ultracentrifuges, spectrophotometers, scintillation and luminescence counters and densitometers.
Co-op experience: Biological Sciences students can choose a four-year program with one six-month co-op, a five-year program with three six-month co-op periods, or a four-year option without co-op.
Research and industry exposure: Past Biological Sciences co-op employers listed by Drexel include GlaxoSmithKline, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Wistar Institute, ViroPharma, Janssen Biotech and Integral Molecular.
Bioinformatics: Students can build computational biology experience through courses including BIO 331 – Bioinformatics I and BIO 332 – Bioinformatics II.
Research-focused study: The BS/MS pathway can progress into thesis-based graduate study, where students develop and complete a research-based thesis project.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS/MS accelerated pathway gives graduates both undergraduate and graduate qualifications in Biological Sciences, providing preparation for technical laboratory careers as well as further professional or doctoral study. Drexel identifies opportunities across pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, university and medical research laboratories, government laboratories and health-related professional fields.

Typical career roles include Biological Research Scientist, Laboratory Scientist, Biotechnology Specialist and Molecular Biology Researcher. Depending on their concentration and experience, graduates can also move toward roles in genomics, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical research, clinical research, environmental biology and biological education.

The program's progression opportunities are strengthened by Drexel's co-op and research environment:

Career development: Students take COOP 101 – Career Management and Professional Development, while Drexel's Steinbright Career Development Center provides co-op and post-graduate career support.
Co-op experience: Students can choose a five-year plan with three six-month employment periods, a four-year plan with one six-month employment period, or a four-year plan without co-op.
Co-op salary: Drexel's 2024–25 salary guide reports a $17.00 median hourly rate for paid Biological Sciences co-ops, with a $15.00 25th percentile and $20.00 75th percentile; 70.8% of Biological Sciences co-op positions were paid.
Industry and research employers: Past employers include GlaxoSmithKline, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Wistar Institute, Janssen Biotech and Integral Molecular.
Graduate-level advantage: Completing the accelerated pathway provides both the BS and MS, allowing students to enter employment with advanced graduate-level preparation rather than stopping at the bachelor's degree.
Research preparation: The MS learning outcomes emphasize advanced knowledge in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and molecular biology, critical analysis of data-based research and scientific communication. Students selecting the thesis option also develop and defend a research-based thesis.
Career flexibility: Drexel identifies graduate and professional pathways including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, Biology-related master's and PhD programs, Public Health and teaching.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS/MS, students can continue into doctoral-level study such as a PhD in Biological Sciences, or pursue professional programs in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and other health-related fields. The MS can also support progression into research-focused careers and advanced study in areas such as molecular and cellular biology, genetics, biochemistry, ecology, genomics and related biological sciences.