BS in Organismal Biology — Integrative Biology Option (IBIO)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Auburn University

Program Overview

The BS in Organismal Biology — Integrative Biology Option (IBIO) at Auburn University provides a broad foundation in biological sciences, connecting the study of organisms with ecology, evolution, physiology, cell biology and microbiology. It suits students seeking flexible preparation for careers in biological research, biotechnology, agriculture and environmental fields, as well as students planning further study in healthcare or other professional programs.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIOL 1020 Principles of Biology, BIOL 1021 Principles of Biology Laboratory, BIOL 1030 Organismal Biology and BIOL 1031 Organismal Biology Laboratory. Supporting study includes CHEM 1030 Fundamentals Chemistry I, CHEM 1040 Fundamental Chemistry II and MATH 1610 Calculus I, building knowledge in biology, chemistry and quantitative methods.

Year 2: Students move into more specialized biological and chemical concepts through CHEM 2070 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 2080 Organic Chemistry II, BIOL 3030 Evolution and Systematics, BIOL 3060 Ecology, and BIOL 3000 Genetics with BIOL 3001 Genetics Laboratory. BIOL 2100 Professional Development also introduces career-focused preparation while the ecology, evolution and genetics courses strengthen understanding of biological diversity and inheritance.

Year 3: The curriculum expands into physical sciences and advanced biological study through PHYS 1500 General Physics I, PHYS 1510 General Physics II, BCHE 5180 Biochemistry I, BCHE 5190 Biochemistry II and their laboratory courses. Students also take BIOL 4100 Cell Biology and select an approved biology course such as BIOL 3100 Plant Biology, BIOL 3200/3201 General Microbiology, BIOL 4010 Invertebrate Biodiversity or BIOL 4020 Vertebrate Biodiversity.

Year 4: Senior study provides substantial flexibility through Eco/Evo/Diversity Electives, Cell/Mol/Micro Electives, a Physiology Elective and additional Biology Electives, allowing students to shape the degree around their interests. The program concludes with BIOL 4950 Senior Seminar, alongside BIOL 4AA0 Professional Development II, giving students an opportunity to consolidate their biological knowledge and prepare for professional or postgraduate pathways.

Focus areas: Integrative biology, ecology, evolution, physiology, cell biology, microbiology, biodiversity, biotechnology, agriculture, environmental biology and preparation for healthcare-related professional study.

Learning outcomes: Students develop the ability to apply the scientific method, formulate testable hypotheses, gather and analyze biological data, interpret evolutionary evidence, and use knowledge of organismal structure, function and diversity to understand ecological and evolutionary processes at individual, population, community and ecosystem levels.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Auburn's official accreditation information does not list a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Organismal Biology — Integrative Biology BS; the university is institutionally accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Reputation (employability rankings): Auburn reports a 2026 U.S. News & World Report national university ranking of #102, while its institutional strategic-plan data reports a 2025–26 QS international ranking of 851–900. Auburn also reports 85% first-destination success for undergraduate students in 2022–23; this is an Auburn-wide figure rather than a program-specific employment rate.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Organismal Biology — Integrative Biology Option (IBIO) at Auburn University gives students practical exposure to biology across multiple levels, from organismal physiology and ecology to evolution, cell biology and microbiology. Students build laboratory skills through dedicated biology and chemistry laboratory courses while also having opportunities to participate in faculty-mentored research, field studies, computational work and natural-history research. Auburn’s Department of Biological Sciences conducts research in laboratories, field settings and natural-history collections, creating opportunities for IBIO students to connect their coursework with active biological research.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

Laboratory-based learning: The curriculum includes BIOL 1021 Principles of Biology Laboratory, BIOL 1031 Organismal Biology Laboratory and BIOL 3001 Genetics Laboratory, together with organic chemistry and biochemistry laboratory courses, giving students repeated hands-on experience with biological and chemical methods.
Authentic research experience: Auburn’s COSAM Undergraduate Research Network connects students with faculty-led projects involving laboratory research, field studies, computational modeling, data analysis and interdisciplinary research.
Faculty-mentored research: Biological Sciences students can work alongside faculty whose research covers behavior, ecology, evolution and conservation; evolutionary genetics and systematics; physiological adaptations and functional genomics; and host-microbial interactions.
Field-based research: Auburn faculty research includes work conducted in natural environments as well as laboratories. For example, Biological Sciences research has included field studies examining how environmental conditions influence organismal traits and fitness.
Natural-history collections: The Auburn University Museum of Natural History provides access to extensive biological collections that support research, conservation and education. Its John D. Freeman Herbarium contains approximately 85,000 plant, lichen, fungi and bryophyte specimens, offering a particularly relevant resource for students interested in biodiversity and organismal biology.
Biodiversity facilities: The Biodiversity Learning Center houses the Auburn University Museum of Natural History and its extensive specimen collections, providing a dedicated environment for studying biodiversity and natural history.
Arboretum experience: The Donald E. Davis Arboretum is one of the distinctive Biological Sciences resources at Auburn and supports research, conservation, education and public engagement, making it relevant to students exploring organisms, ecosystems and biodiversity.
Research laboratories: Auburn maintains active Biological Sciences laboratories where students can become involved in research. Current faculty research includes ecology and evolution, quantitative methods, laboratory experiments, computer simulations, developmental and genomic studies, and physiological research.
Team-based research: Auburn's undergraduate research opportunities emphasize teamwork and communication alongside technical skills. A Biological Sciences research course, for example, has involved students conducting authentic research collaboratively and learning how teamwork contributes to scientific research.
Computational and data-analysis skills: COSAM specifically identifies computational modeling and data analysis as undergraduate research activities, giving IBIO students opportunities to complement field and laboratory work with quantitative approaches.
Research and internship pathways: COSAM supports students in identifying undergraduate research opportunities at Auburn and external research programs, including NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates, U.S. Department of Energy Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships, NASA research opportunities and CDC undergraduate research programs.
Research facilities: Auburn’s College of Sciences and Mathematics lists specialized resources including the Herbarium, Auburn University Museum of Natural History, AU Research Instrumentation, Confocal Microscopy, Hybridoma Facility, Leach Science Center and Research Park, providing additional research infrastructure relevant to biological-science students.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Organismal Biology – Integrative Biology Option (IBIO) gives students a broad biological foundation spanning ecology, evolution, physiology, cell biology and microbiology, while allowing them to tailor electives toward research, biotechnology, agriculture, environmental work or healthcare pathways. Auburn specifically identifies the program as preparation for careers in biological research and related industries, as well as graduate and professional study.

Career opportunities: Biological Research Technician, Laboratory Technician, Environmental Scientist, Biotechnology Professional.

Career development and graduate outcomes:

Career services: Auburn's Career Discovery and Success resources provide access to job and internship searches, on-campus interviews, career fairs and employer information sessions, while internships can be formally registered through the Career Center.
Biology-specific internships: Auburn Biological Sciences encourages students to use internships and study-abroad experiences to translate academic learning into real-world experience, with opportunities including research at universities or research firms, nonprofit organizations and companies.
Research opportunities: Auburn's Office of Undergraduate Research lists opportunities open to biology students, including the LAKES Research Experience for Undergraduates and other national research programs. Auburn also reports student-faculty research partnerships across biological sciences and other disciplines.
Employment statistics and salary figures: Auburn does not publish a program-specific employment rate or salary figure for the Organismal Biology–Integrative Biology option on its official program pages. Auburn's official career resources provide job and internship information, but a specific IBIO graduate salary or employment percentage is not stated.
University–industry connections: Auburn maintains partnerships with industry through its research and economic-development infrastructure, connecting companies with Auburn students, interns, faculty researchers and specialized facilities. The university's biotechnology-focused Industry Day has connected students and faculty with organizations including Evonik, Johnson & Johnson, Labcorp, SouthernBiotech, Avanti Polar Lipids and Sanders and KW Companies for discussions involving internships, employment and research collaboration.
Biological research partnerships: Auburn Biological Sciences research has included externally sponsored projects connected to agriculture, biotechnology and environmental applications, including USDA-supported research and work involving Varigen Biosciences.
STEM designation: Auburn Global identifies Organismal Biology as a STEM-designated undergraduate program, with the Integrative Biology Option included among its available options.
Long-term academic value: The degree provides preparation for graduate and professional pathways, and Auburn offers an Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) route in Biological Sciences–Organismal Biology. The ABM allows eligible students to take three 6000-level courses that count toward both bachelor's and master's degrees, and undergraduate research can be developed into an M.S. thesis.
Graduation outcomes: Auburn states that Organismal Biology graduates are prepared for research, conservation, natural-resource management, policy, health-related fields and related biological sciences, as well as graduate or professional study. The IBIO option can also be tailored toward medicine, dentistry and optometry.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can progress into Auburn's M.S. in Biological Sciences or Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, with the department also offering a Graduate Certificate in Computational Biology. Students interested in healthcare can use the IBIO foundation for professional programs such as medicine, dentistry and optometry, while the ABM pathway provides an accelerated route into Auburn's M.S. in Biological Sciences.