BS in Biological Sciences: General (BSG) Track

NA On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Rochester

Program Overview

The BS in Biological Sciences: General Track at the University of Rochester is a flexible option for students who want a broad understanding of biology while keeping their future career and study options open. Students explore areas such as genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, microbiology, ecology, evolution, genomics, and computational biology, allowing them to build a degree around the areas of biology they enjoy most.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the foundations of biology and chemistry through courses such as BIOL 110L/098 – Principles of Biology I with Lab and BIOL 111L/099 – Principles of Biology II with Lab, alongside CHEM 131 – Chemical Concepts I with Lab and CHEM 132 – Chemical Concepts II with Lab. These courses introduce students to core biological concepts while giving them an early opportunity to develop laboratory skills.

Year 2: Students build on this foundation by exploring genetics and other supporting sciences. Courses such as BIOL 198/198P – Principles of Genetics with Lab or BIOL 190/198P – Genetics: From Mendel to Molecules with Lab help students understand how genetic information works, while subjects such as organic chemistry, mathematics, physics, statistics, and BIOL 208 – Intro to Programming for Bio broaden their scientific and analytical skills.

Year 3: Students have more freedom to explore the areas of biology that interest them most. They can choose courses such as BIOL 250 – Biochemistry, BIOL 210 – Cell Biology, and BIOL 204 – Principles of Human Physiology, while options such as BIOL 202 – Molecular Biology, BIOL 257L – Applied Genomics, and BIOL 253L – Computational Biology allow them to explore modern biological research and data-driven approaches.

Year 4: In the final year, students can take more advanced courses that match their interests and career plans. Options include BIOL 243 – Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, BIOL 278 – Biochemical Mechanisms of Cellular Processes, and MBI 456 – General Virology, while BIOL 395 – Independent Research can give students the opportunity to work on research and apply the knowledge they have developed throughout the degree.

Focus Areas

Molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, physiology, microbiology, ecology, evolution, genomics, computational biology, neuroscience, human biology

Learning Outcomes

Students develop a broad understanding of biological systems, strengthen laboratory and research skills, learn to interpret scientific information and biological data, develop quantitative and computational abilities, and improve their scientific communication and problem-solving skills for further study and careers in the biological sciences.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program combines biology coursework with laboratory learning, advanced electives, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary study. The University of Rochester's official information does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the BS in Biological Sciences: General Track, but the degree provides a strong academic foundation for graduate programs, professional schools, research, and careers related to the biological sciences.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The General Track is particularly valuable for students who want flexibility in choosing their future direction. Students can explore different areas of biology and gain additional experience through independent research, summer research opportunities, honors research, and activities connected with the University of Rochester and its Medical Center.

The broad curriculum also allows students to combine interests in areas such as molecular biology, genomics, microbiology, physiology, ecology, and computational biology. This flexibility can be especially useful for students who are still deciding which area of biology they want to pursue after graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Biological Sciences: General Track at the University of Rochester gives students opportunities to learn biology through practical laboratory work, research, field-based experiences, and collaborative activities. Students can gain hands-on experience through laboratory courses, independent research, summer research fellowships, computational biology, and opportunities connected with the University of Rochester Medical Center. The program also gives students flexibility to explore biology beyond the classroom through study-abroad programs and research-focused student activities.

Students can build practical skills through a range of experiences:

Laboratory experience: Students complete BIOL 198P – Principles of Genetics Lab and can choose additional laboratory courses such as MBI 221W – Microbiology Lab, BIOL 268 – Lab in Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, BCH 308 – Biochemistry Lab and Critical Analysis, or NSCI 203 – Lab in Neurobiology.
Independent research: Through BIOL 395 – Independent Research, students can take part in supervised research and work on a research project connected to their interests. This provides experience in applying biological concepts and developing research skills.
Summer research fellowships: The Undergraduate Program in Biology and Medicine offers summer research fellowships, giving students the opportunity to dedicate time to research and gain experience working in a university research environment.
Programming and computational biology: Students can take courses such as BIOL 208 – Intro to Programming for Bio, BIOL 253L – Computational Biology, and BIOL 257L – Applied Genomics. These options allow students to develop computational and data-analysis skills alongside their biology studies.
iGEM: Students can participate in BIOL 228A&B – iGEM I & II, which is connected with the International Genetically Engineered Machines competition. The opportunity allows students to work on synthetic biology projects and gain experience applying biological concepts in a collaborative setting.
Study-abroad experiences: Biology students can take part in opportunities such as the Solomon Islands Program and the Galapagos Study Abroad Program, allowing them to explore biological systems and environments outside the traditional classroom.
Medical research opportunities: Through the Undergraduate Program in Biology and Medicine, students can explore research opportunities both on the River Campus and at the University of Rochester Medical Center, providing exposure to biological and medical research.
Research mentoring: Students can use the department's Find a Research Mentor pathway to connect with faculty members and explore research opportunities that match their academic interests.
Research shadowing and student activities: The Society of Undergraduate Biology Students offers activities such as research shadowing, study groups, and networking events, helping students connect with researchers and other biology students.
Teaching experience: Biology students can apply for undergraduate teaching assistant positions, giving them an opportunity to strengthen their communication skills while supporting other students in their biology courses.

Research and learning resources: Students benefit from the University of Rochester's wider biology research environment, including the River Campus and University of Rochester Medical Center, as well as laboratory courses, faculty research opportunities, independent study, and summer research programs.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Biological Sciences: General Track gives students a broad foundation in biology that can open doors to careers in laboratory research, biotechnology, healthcare, biomedical science, and other life-science fields. Its flexible curriculum also works well for students who want to continue into medical, health-profession, or graduate programs while building valuable research experience along the way.

Typical career directions include biological research technician, laboratory technician, biomedical research professional, and biotechnology professional. Students can build their career readiness through research, career advising, networking, and connections with the University's biology and medical communities:

Career support: The Greene Center for Career Education and Connections helps students prepare for internships and employment through individual career advising, résumé and cover-letter support, interview preparation, networking opportunities, and access to Handshake for job and internship searches.
Biotechnology and pharmaceutical career exposure: The Biology Department offers career-development activities such as Career Paths in Biotech and Pharma, connecting students with University of Rochester alumni working in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. This gives students an opportunity to learn about different career paths directly from professionals working in these fields.
Research experience: Students can take part in independent research with faculty and researchers across the University, including opportunities connected with the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Research experience can help students develop practical scientific skills and gain a better understanding of how professional research is conducted.
Laboratory employment: The Biology Department offers undergraduate laboratory technician positions, with some opportunities potentially developing into research experiences. This allows students to gain relevant laboratory experience while completing their degree.
Employment and graduation outcomes: The University of Rochester reported a 94% positive career outcome for the Hajim School's 2025 graduating class, with approximately 45% working and 47% continuing their education. This is a Hajim School-wide figure and should not be interpreted as a specific employment rate for the Biological Sciences: General Track.
Salary information: The official University of Rochester sources do not provide a specific average salary for graduates of the BS in Biological Sciences: General Track. For this reason, a program-specific salary figure should not be presented using broader biology or life-science salary data.
Industry connections: Students can benefit from employer events, alumni networking, career communities, and industry-focused activities through the Greene Center. The Biology Department's biotechnology and pharmaceutical career programming also gives students opportunities to connect with alumni working in these industries.
Career flexibility: The program combines biology with chemistry, mathematics, statistics, programming, laboratory work, and advanced biological subjects. Students can further develop their interests through areas such as Applied Genomics, Computational Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, and Biochemical and Molecular Biology Techniques.
Professional recognition: The official University of Rochester information does not list a separate professional accreditation specifically for the BS in Biological Sciences: General Track. Instead, students benefit from the University's established academic and research environment, including opportunities across the River Campus and University of Rochester Medical Center.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BS in Biological Sciences: General Track, students can continue into advanced study in biology and related fields. The University of Rochester offers MS and PhD programs in Biology, providing opportunities to develop deeper research expertise through advanced coursework and laboratory research.

The degree can also provide a strong foundation for students planning to pursue medical and other health-profession programs. Depending on their chosen pathway, students can use the flexible curriculum to complete relevant subjects such as general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, calculus, biochemistry, and microbiology while gaining research experience that can strengthen their preparation for further study.