BS Genetics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Purdue University West Lafayette

Program Overview

Genetics, BS at Purdue University is designed for students who want to understand how genes, genomes, heredity and molecular processes shape living organisms, with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, mathematics and related sciences. It suits students interested in research, biotechnology, healthcare and other life-science careers, while giving them opportunities to explore areas such as molecular biology, bioinformatics and human genetics.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year: Students begin with foundational biology and chemistry through courses such as BIOL 12100 – Biology I: Diversity, Ecology and Behavior, BIOL 13100 – Biology II: Development, Structure and Function, and CHM 12901 – General Chemistry. Mathematics, science-core courses and introductory laboratory experiences establish the scientific skills needed for more advanced genetics coursework.

Second Year: Students move into cellular and molecular biology through BIOL 23100 – Biology III: Cell Structure and Function, BIOL 24100 – Biology IV: Genetics and Molecular Biology, and their associated laboratory courses BIOL 23200 and BIOL 24200. They also continue organic chemistry with CHM 25600-25601, study biochemistry through CHM 33900/33901, and take BIOL 28600 – Introduction to Ecology and Evolution.

Third Year: The program becomes more specialized, with students selecting an intermediate biology area and taking BIOL 48100 – Eukaryotic Genetics, while also completing physics and additional science-core coursework. This stage allows students to deepen their understanding of genetics and biological systems while building the quantitative and scientific knowledge needed for advanced study.

Fourth Year: Students complete advanced genetics and biology requirements, including a 500-level Biology selective, a biology selective, and the BIOL 44100 – Senior Seminar in Genetics. The senior year also includes a base laboratory requirement and opportunities to strengthen computing and statistics skills through recommended courses such as CS 17700 and STAT 50300.

Focus Areas:

Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Eukaryotic Genetics, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Ecology and Evolution, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics and Scientific Computing.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop an understanding of genetic inheritance, molecular and cellular processes, biological variation and evolution, while building laboratory, quantitative, analytical and scientific communication skills through progressive biology, chemistry and genetics coursework.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Genetics, BS is a science degree within Purdue's College of Science and is designed to provide broad preparation in genetics and biological sciences. Purdue's curriculum includes advanced biology, laboratory work, quantitative science and research-oriented coursework, supporting progression into scientific, biotechnology, healthcare and graduate-study pathways.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Purdue University is ranked among the top 10 U.S. public universities in the 2027 QS World University Rankings for the fourth consecutive year. Purdue also reports a Top 10 U.S. public university ranking for career success from LinkedIn News (2026) and a Top 10 U.S. public university ranking that employers love from Forbes (2026), providing useful indicators of the university's broader employer and career reputation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Genetics, BS at Purdue University, students get meaningful hands-on experience through laboratory-based biology courses and opportunities to participate in real research. Purdue’s Biological Sciences department emphasizes hands-on laboratories, with many labs equipped with computers and modern scientific equipment, while advanced courses provide additional laboratory experience in areas such as molecular biology, microbiology, physiology and ecology.

Students can also move beyond coursework into faculty-mentored research, where they can work in active research laboratories, develop research questions, analyze data and present their findings at scientific meetings. The Genetics degree requirements specifically include experience with hypothesis-driven research and data analysis, making the practical component closely connected to the skills expected in genetics and biological research.

Key experiential opportunities include:

Undergraduate research: Genetics students can pursue BIOL 29400RES and BIOL 49400RES research opportunities with Purdue faculty. Students work in research labs and can earn academic credit for their research experience.
Research presentations: Undergraduate researchers have opportunities to present their work at scientific meetings or the Purdue Undergraduate Research Symposium, giving students experience communicating scientific findings.
Genomics and genome-editing facilities: Purdue’s Bindley Bioscience Center includes a Genomics and Genome Editing Facility with technologies such as Illumina MiSeq, Agilent TapeStation and Thermo Fisher Qubit instruments for genomic analysis and quality control.
Bioinformatics and computational research: Purdue’s life-sciences research infrastructure includes a Bioinformatics Core supporting biological research through computational analysis, as well as informatics capabilities within the Bindley Bioscience Center.
Advanced imaging and microscopy: Students involved in relevant research can benefit from Purdue’s Bioscience Imaging Facility and Life Science Microscopy Facility, which provide technologies for examining biological structures from individual cells to larger specimens.
Internships: The Department of Biological Sciences reports that many students participate in internships and directs students to their academic advisors for available opportunities.
Genetics-focused research: Purdue research facilities support work in areas including molecular genetics, population genetics, evolutionary genetics and related biological research.
Research infrastructure: The Bindley Bioscience Center provides collaborative laboratory space and advanced instrumentation for life-sciences research, including biological mass spectrometry, proteomics, metabolomics and computational life sciences.
Laboratory skill development: The Genetics degree's base laboratory requirements include planning hypothesis-driven experiments, conducting literature reviews, identifying appropriate techniques, developing research proposals and analyzing and critically evaluating data.

Facilities and research resources:Purdue’s Genetics, BS students have access to a strong life-sciences research environment through the Department of Biological Sciences and Purdue’s broader bioscience facilities. Relevant resources include the Bindley Bioscience Center, which supports genomics, genome editing, bioinformatics, proteomics and other biological research; the Genomics and Genome Editing Facility, equipped with technologies such as Illumina MiSeq, Agilent TapeStation and Thermo Fisher Qubit instruments; and Purdue’s Bioscience Imaging and Life Science Microscopy Facilities, which provide advanced imaging and microscopy capabilities. Students can also benefit from Purdue’s research laboratories and computational resources while developing practical skills in genetics, molecular biology, biological data analysis and experimental research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Genetics, BS at Purdue University can prepare graduates for careers across biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, research, healthcare and government-related organizations. Purdue reports that approximately 25% of biology students continue directly to graduate study, while about 45% proceed to medical, veterinary or dental school; others enter employment in research and applied science fields.

Typical career roles: Genetic Researcher, Laboratory/Research Technician, Biologist, Biotechnology Professional

The program also connects students with Purdue’s academic, research and career resources to support their next step:

Career support: Purdue’s Center for Career Opportunities provides career and major exploration, graduate-school planning, job-search support and assistance with application materials such as résumés and cover letters.
Academic and career advising: Biological Sciences advisors help students with curriculum planning, course selection, career planning and preparation for their future as biologists.
Employment and salary data: Purdue’s 2023–24 salary survey for Biological Sciences graduates reported an average salary of $44,126 across 145 reported graduates entering employment. Reported averages included $53,000 for biochemists, $52,010 for biologists, $44,070 for laboratory/research technicians, $50,000 for microbiologists and $41,220 for public health specialists.
Industry connections: Purdue Biological Sciences graduates have entered research, management and sales positions with organizations including Abbott Laboratories, Merck, Eli Lilly, Pharmacia, Sigma Chemical, Procter & Gamble, DuPont and DeKalb Genetics, demonstrating the range of industries that value biological and genetics knowledge.
Research ecosystem: Students learn within a department engaged in research spanning molecular biology through ecosystems, with connections to resources such as the Purdue Genomics Center, Birck Nanotechnology Center and Integrative Neuroscience Center.
Graduation outcomes: Purdue specifically notes pathways into graduate study, medical, veterinary and dental schools, as well as employment in biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, government agencies, zoos and parks.
Accreditation value: The Genetics, BS is a Bachelor of Science degree rather than a separately accredited professional-licensure program; its long-term value comes from the genetics, biology, laboratory and quantitative foundation that can support employment or further professional and graduate education.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue into master’s or PhD programs in genetics, biological sciences, molecular biology, biotechnology and related life-science fields. Students interested in healthcare can also use the degree as preparation for medical, dental or veterinary school, while those seeking specialized research or industry careers can pursue postgraduate study to develop deeper expertise.