Bachelor of Science in Biology Pre-Professional (BS.BIOP)

Students in Barry University’s BS in Biology Pre-Professional gain practical scientific skills through extensive laboratory coursework, faculty-guided research, and opportunities to study South Florida’s distinctive biological environments. The program requires at least six Biology laboratory courses, while students can also earn up to six credits through independent research (BIO 295, BIO 395, or BIO 495) and work alongside faculty in campus research laboratories. Barry’s location also provides opportunities for biological observation and research in environments such as the Florida Everglades and South Florida’s living reefs. These opportunities give students several ways to move from classroom concepts into practical scientific investigation:

• Biology Teaching Laboratories: Barry’s biology teaching labs support hands-on study in genetics, cell biology, anatomy, zoology, marine biology, botany, physiology, embryology, and microbiology, directly complementing the BS.BIOP curriculum.
• Independent Research: Students can complete BIO 295, BIO 395, and BIO 495 Independent Research, with up to six research credits applicable toward the degree.
• Faculty Research Laboratories: Biology faculty conduct research in areas including virology, neurodevelopment, fish behavior, and seagrass beds, and undergraduate students can gain research experience by working alongside faculty in campus laboratories.
• Laboratory-Based Coursework: Students complete practical laboratory work alongside subjects such as General Biology I and II, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Histology, and other biology disciplines, developing experimental and observational skills.
• South Florida Field Environment: Barry’s location provides access to distinctive ecosystems, including the Florida Everglades and living reefs, creating opportunities for research and observation beyond the laboratory.
• Research Presentation: The program includes a senior capstone course in which students present research on an interdisciplinary topic, providing an opportunity to communicate scientific findings.
• Summer Research Opportunities: Barry students have participated in paid summer research internships at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), working with faculty mentors in laboratory and field research areas such as microbiology, plant genomics, public health, coastal ecology, and food safety.
• Engaged STEM Scholars: Barry’s STEM initiative provides biology students with hands-on experiences in the lab, field, and classroom, working directly with faculty mentors on experiential learning and research opportunities. 

The Bachelor of Science in Biology Pre-Professional (BS.BIOP) at Barry University is designed to prepare students for professional and graduate pathways in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, and related research fields. Barry provides faculty and advising support to help students select coursework that meets the requirements of their intended postgraduate program, and graduates have progressed to institutions including Weill Cornell Medical College, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Northwestern University, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.

Typical Job Roles: Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Biological Researcher, Environmental Health Specialist.

Career Development, Employment & Professional Preparation:

• Faculty and Academic Advising: Biology faculty and advisors work individually with students to ensure their coursework meets the requirements of their intended medical, dental, veterinary, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, or graduate program.
• Research Experience: Students can undertake independent research through BIO-295, BIO-395, and BIO-495, with up to six research credits applicable toward the biology degree. Barry faculty conduct research in areas including virology, neurodevelopment, fish behavior, and seagrass ecosystems, and undergraduate students can work alongside faculty in campus research laboratories.
• Graduate & Professional School Outcomes: Barry reports graduates progressing to medical schools such as Weill Cornell Medical College, University of Massachusetts Medical School, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and Northwestern University, while its pre-dental pathway has graduates at institutions including University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and UCSF School of Dentistry.
• Employment & Salary Figures: Not stated on the official Barry University BS.BIOP pages reviewed. Barry identifies research, teaching, environmental work, and government careers as possible outcomes, but does not publish a program-specific employment rate or salary figure on these pages.
• University–Industry Partnerships: Not stated for the BS.BIOP on the official program pages reviewed. Barry does, however, provide undergraduate research opportunities with faculty and has documented student research collaborations and presentations.
• Professional Preparation: The curriculum requires students to develop scientific research, laboratory, data interpretation, scientific writing, presentation, and scientific-literature skills, including the use of computer software to organize and present data in tables and graphs.
• Accreditation Value: Program-specific professional accreditation is not stated on the official BS.BIOP pages reviewed. The program's primary value for professional-school applicants is its structured preparation for postgraduate programs whose individual admission requirements vary.
• Graduation Outcomes: Students complete a biology curriculum spanning Biodiversity, Cell and Molecular Biology, Organismal Biology, Ecology and Environmental Science, and a Capstone area, with laboratory requirements and a Major Field Test in Biology serving as the integrative experience before graduation.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS.BIOP, students can apply to medical, dental, veterinary, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, or other health-professional schools, depending on their chosen pathway. The degree also supports progression into master's and PhD programs, research careers, and teaching, with Barry specifically advising students to identify the requirements of their intended postgraduate program early so their undergraduate coursework can be appropriately planned.