Bachelor's of Science in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Oklahoma State University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biology at Oklahoma State University provides a broad foundation in the life sciences, covering animal, plant and microbial biology alongside genetics, ecology, physiology and evolution. It suits students interested in biology-related careers, graduate study or professional programs such as medicine and veterinary medicine, with additional options in allied health, environmental biology, pre-medical sciences and secondary teacher certification.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the foundations of biological science through BIOL 1113/BIOL 1111 Introductory Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory, alongside BIOL 1604 Animal Biology. Chemistry and quantitative preparation are also introduced through CHEM 1314 Chemistry I and MATH 1813 Preparation for Calculus, establishing the scientific base for advanced biology study.

Year 2: The second year expands into microorganisms, plants and ecosystems through MICR 2123/MICR 2132 Introduction to Microbiology and Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory, BIOL 3034 General Ecology, and PBIO 1404 Plant Biology. Students also study MICR 3033 Cell and Molecular Biology, developing a broader understanding of biological processes from cellular to ecosystem levels.

Year 3: Students move into more advanced scientific study with Organic Chemistry I or Survey of Organic Chemistry and Survey of Organic Chemistry Laboratory, together with PHYS 1114 College Physics I. The program then develops physiological understanding through BIOL 3203/BIOL 3201 Physiology and Physiology Lab or an alternative physiology sequence, while students complete additional upper-level biology or elective coursework.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes higher-level biological concepts through BIOL 3023 General Genetics and BIOL 4133 Evolution, supported by upper-division major, supplemental and elective courses. Students complete the 120-credit degree while building their chosen academic direction through advanced biology coursework and related disciplines.

Focus areas: animal biology, plant biology, microbial biology, genetics, ecology, physiology, evolution, cell and molecular biology, allied health, environmental biology, pre-medical sciences and secondary teacher certification.

Learning outcomes: Students develop a broad understanding of organisms and their environments from cellular to ecosystem levels, with knowledge spanning animal, plant and microbial biology, genetics, ecology, physiology and evolution; the curriculum also develops preparation for graduate, professional and biology-related employment pathways.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The BS in Biology is offered through OSU's Department of Biology and College of Arts and Sciences; Oklahoma State University's institutional accreditation is provided by the Higher Learning Commission. OSU's official accreditation listing separately identifies specialized accredited programs, including Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, while the Biology BS is not listed as having a separate program-specific professional accreditation.

Reputation (employability rankings): Oklahoma State University received a 5-Star QS Stars rating, including a 5-Star Employability rating that considers factors such as employer reputation, graduate employment, career services, internships and alumni impact. OSU also reports recognition among the top 20% of Best Colleges in America in the 2025 College Factual ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the BS in Biology at Oklahoma State University gain practical experience through laboratory-based courses, independent projects, undergraduate research, internships, and fieldwork. The program’s hands-on approach allows students to investigate organisms, ecological systems, and physiological processes while developing skills in experimental design, data analysis, scientific communication, and research. Students can also access specialized research environments, including the Ecotoxicology and Water Quality Research Laboratory, the OSU Herbarium, and the OSU Collection of Vertebrates.

These opportunities give Biology students several ways to turn classroom learning into practical scientific experience:

Research projects: BIOL 4700 Undergraduate Research Problems allows students to participate in faculty research or develop a research problem of their own, with research results communicated through written or oral presentations.
Collaborative research: BIOL 4730 Collaborative Research in Biology places students in small teams working closely with faculty to design, develop, implement, and present authentic research projects.
Internships: BIOL 4710 Internships in Biology allows students to participate in research projects within a Life Sciences-related professional work setting and earn academic credit.
Laboratory learning: Introductory Biology Laboratory provides authentic research experiences in which students design, conduct, and report the results of extended investigations. The BS curriculum also includes dedicated laboratory experiences in microbiology, physiology, and organic chemistry.
Fieldwork: Biology students can gain field experience studying ecosystems and organisms including monarch butterflies, collared lizards, bluebirds, and daphnia. Department research also includes fieldwork in Oklahoma and other locations.
Ecotoxicology and Water Quality Research Laboratory: This specialized facility supports aquatic ecosystem research, including invertebrate and fish surveys, zebra mussel monitoring, wetland delineation, toxicity assessments, and reservoir monitoring. Facilities include a fathead minnow rearing room, controlled environmental chambers, wet chemistry laboratory, computer laboratory, and digitally equipped compound and dissecting microscopes.
Scientific instrumentation: The Ecotoxicology and Water Quality Research Laboratory provides access to techniques and instrumentation for organic contaminant analysis using GC/MS, microplastics analysis using pyrolysis-GC/MS, and trace elemental analysis using ICP-OES.
Biological collections: The OSU Herbarium contains approximately 140,000 plant specimens along with seeds, fruits, cryptogams, botanical books, and Oklahoma topographical maps, while the OSU Collection of Vertebrates supports conservation, education, and research through its biodiversity collections.
Research opportunities across OSU: Biology students can also explore university-wide undergraduate research opportunities through programs such as AURCA, McNair Scholars, OK-LSAMP, ON-RaMP, OSU Teach, Niblack Research Scholars, and Prospective Freshman Researchers.
Research communication: Undergraduate research can involve laboratory and field activities, data analysis, poster and oral presentations, and publication, giving students experience communicating scientific findings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Biology at Oklahoma State University provides a broad life-science foundation covering animal, plant and microbial biology, genetics, ecology, physiology and evolution, preparing graduates for employment or further professional and graduate study. Graduates can pursue roles such as biological technician, laboratory technician, environmental scientist, conservation scientist, or continue toward medicine, veterinary medicine, graduate school and other professional programs.

Career and Employment Opportunities:

Career Services: The College of Arts and Sciences Career Services provides biology-specific career guidance, internship and job-search strategies, application support, resume and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, networking resources and career assessments. Students can also access one-credit career courses focused on career exploration and the job or graduate-school application process.
Research-to-career preparation: Biology students are encouraged to participate in faculty-supervised research, with course credit available for independent research. OSU also provides opportunities through programs such as AURCA, Niblack Research Scholars, Freshman Research Scholars, McNair Scholars and Beckman Scholars, giving students opportunities to develop research, teamwork and scientific communication experience.
Employment statistics and salary figures: OSU provides a First Destination Survey to collect graduate career and post-graduation plans, but a current Biology BS-specific employment rate or salary figure is not stated on the official program sources reviewed.
University–industry partnerships: OSU maintains formal research and industry-engagement infrastructure through its research partnerships and Cowboy Enterprises, which connects companies with university expertise and supports commercialization of OSU technologies. The university's One Health Innovation Lab at Innovation Park also brings together OSU researchers and private partners around biological research involving plant, animal, human and environmental health.
Long-term accreditation value: The official OSU catalog identifies the Biology BS as an Oklahoma State University degree approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. A separate specialized accreditation is not stated for the general Biology BS on the official sources reviewed; therefore, no additional program-specific accreditation is claimed here.
Graduation outcomes: The degree is designed to support entry into the public and private sectors as well as graduate and professional programs. OSU specifically identifies biotechnology, conservation biology, education, health care, medicine, environmental management, toxicology, and politics and policy among possible career fields for biology graduates.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Biology BS, students can continue into graduate study in biological sciences. Oklahoma State University's Department of Biology offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Integrative Biology and Plant Biology, with opportunities for advanced research and faculty mentorship. The undergraduate Biology degree also meets requirements for admission to graduate and professional schools, allowing students to progress toward programs such as medical or veterinary school depending on their selected coursework and prerequisites.