BS in Biological Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Carnegie Mellon University

Program Overview

The BS in Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University combines a strong foundation in biology with chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics, while allowing students to tailor their studies through advanced biology electives and specialized tracks. It suits students interested in research, healthcare, biotechnology and interdisciplinary life-science careers, with opportunities to develop hands-on research and technical skills.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their scientific foundation through Modern Biology, Introduction to Modern Chemistry I, calculus, physics and computing, developing the quantitative and computational skills needed for advanced biological study. Courses such as Principles of Computing and Calculus II for Biologists and Chemists strengthen the connection between biology and CMU's technology-focused environment.

Year 2: The curriculum moves into molecular and quantitative biology through Genetics, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry I and Introduction to Computational Biology. Students also develop practical analytical skills through Techniques in Quantitative Analysis and Techniques for Organic Synthesis and Analysis, creating a strong platform for upper-level laboratory and research work.

Year 3: Students deepen their understanding of living systems through Cell Biology, Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology and advanced biology electives. Laboratory-based study and courses such as Experimental Biochemistry provide opportunities to apply scientific methods, analyze biological data and develop research skills.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced study, research and specialization through Advanced Biology Electives, Topics in Research and additional biology electives. Students can use their elective choices to pursue areas such as biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, computational biology, developmental biology, genetics, molecular biology or neuroscience.

Focus Areas: Biochemistry, Biophysics, Cell Biology, Computational Biology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Microbiology.

Learning Outcomes: Graduates develop foundational knowledge in genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, computational biology and experimental methodology; apply scientific methods to solve problems; analyze and interpret data; critically evaluate scientific information; communicate biological concepts effectively; collaborate in teams; and understand responsible research practices.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Carnegie Mellon’s official program materials identify the BS as a Biological Sciences degree but do not state a separate professional accreditation specific to this program. The university is institutionally accredited through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Carnegie Mellon reports that 88% of its Biological Sciences Class of 2025 graduates were employed or in graduate school six months after graduation, with an average salary of $69,975; recent employers listed by the university include the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, National Institutes of Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Procter & Gamble.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the BS in Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University build practical scientific skills through laboratory courses, collaborative research, independent projects, and internships. More than 80% of Biological Sciences undergraduates participate in research, working with faculty and laboratory groups on current research projects and using modern techniques and equipment. The program also gives students opportunities to connect classroom concepts with hands-on experimentation through courses such as Modern Biology Laboratory, Experimental Genetics and Molecular Biology, and Computation and Biology Integrated Research Lab.

Students can develop this practical experience through several structured opportunities:

Modern Biology Laboratory: Students conduct experiments involving living organisms, tissues, cells, and molecules, putting biological concepts into practice through laboratory investigation.
Collaborative Research Projects: In Frontiers, Analysis, and Discovery in Biological Sciences, students work in research teams to investigate a current biology problem, design hypotheses, conduct experiments, analyze data, and present their findings to peers and faculty.
Undergraduate Research: Students can work one-on-one with faculty and laboratory members on research projects, learning research techniques, using scientific equipment, solving laboratory problems, and applying classroom knowledge. Research can be completed during the academic year or summer.
Research for Credit: The 03-445 Undergraduate Research course allows students to investigate research problems under faculty supervision, with research credit contributing toward the Biological Sciences degree requirements.
Laboratory Research Facilities: Most Biological Sciences research laboratories are located in the Mellon Institute, where undergraduate students can become involved as lab aides or research assistants. Upper-level teaching laboratories are also located alongside faculty research laboratories and share scientific equipment.
Advanced Imaging & Flow Cytometry: The Center for Advanced Biological Imaging Solutions (CABIS) provides access to advanced fluorescence microscopy and flow-cytometry instruments for biological research.
Bioinformatics Tools: Modern Biology introduces bioinformatic tools relevant to biochemistry, while Phage Genomics Research involves analyzing DNA sequences with bioinformatic tools and comparing sequences to identify genes and evolutionary differences.
Computational Biology: Students can combine biological science with computation through courses such as Computation and Biology Integrated Research Lab and Evolutionary Bioinformatics: Trees, Sequences and the Comparative Method.
Summer Research: The Summer Research Institute provides an immersive research experience in molecular biology and biochemistry, with opportunities for mentored laboratory research and research credit through the Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship program.
Internships: The department offers Summer Internship, Biotechnology or Biopharmaceutical Engineering Internship, Computational Biology Internship, and Quantitative Biology Internship opportunities, allowing students to apply classroom skills in real-world settings.
Research Labs & Groups: Students can explore department research groups working across areas including cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, genetics, computational biology, neuroscience, biophysics, and related fields.
Honors Research: Eligible students can pursue the Honors Program in Research Biology, which includes an independent research project and a formal thesis written and defended during the senior year.
Faculty Research Focus Groups: Undergraduate students can join faculty-led discussions of primary literature and emerging research, providing an opportunity to engage directly with Biological Sciences researchers and develop scientific reading and discussion skills.
Study Abroad: Biological Sciences students can receive academic credit for approved Study Abroad coursework, providing an additional avenue for academic and experiential exposure beyond the Pittsburgh campus.
Science Research Equipment: New undergraduate biology laboratory spaces at the Mellon Institute are designed around active learning, where students practice laboratory skills, solve complex problems, make decisions, and communicate their experimental findings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University develops strong foundations in genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, computational biology and experimental methods, while giving students substantial opportunities for hands-on research. More than 80% of Biological Sciences undergraduates participate in research, supporting pathways into biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, healthcare, academic research and other life-science fields.

Typical Job Roles: Research Assistant, Biological Scientist, Laboratory Technician, Clinical Research Coordinator.

Career Support & Employment Opportunities:

Career Counseling: Biological Sciences provides one-on-one advising, faculty mentoring, professional-development seminars, career-exploration workshops and networking events to help students plan their career paths.
Research Experience: Students can work directly with faculty laboratories as research assistants, earn academic credit through Research for Credit or Independent Study, and apply for funding through Carnegie Mellon's Small Undergraduate Research Grant program.
Experiential Opportunities: Biological Sciences students have participated in research assistantships at Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Women's Hospital, the University of Pittsburgh, Western Psychiatric Hospital and Tissue Informatics.
Career & Employer Connections: CMU's Career & Professional Development Center connects students with employers through Handshake, on-campus recruiting, career events and employer partnerships.

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

First-Destination Data: Carnegie Mellon provides a Biological Sciences First Destination Career Outcomes dashboard covering employment, graduate/professional school, employers, job titles and starting salaries. The university notes that some graduates do not report complete information and that salaries can be skewed downward by graduates taking lower-paid research positions before medical or graduate school.
Salary Figures: The current official Biological Sciences page does not provide a single current average or median salary figure in the accessible page content, so no unsupported salary figure is included here.

University–Industry Partnerships: Carnegie Mellon's Biological Sciences department works with industry through research collaboration, technology transfer, talent transfer and other partnership opportunities. Recent Biological Sciences activity has included industry support from companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Fisher Scientific, Keyence, VWR and USA Scientific, while students have also gained direct industry experience through internships such as Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Graduation Outcomes: Biological Sciences graduates progress into academic research, medicine, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences, with CMU's official alumni and career resources documenting pathways into employment and graduate or professional education. The department also highlights graduate programs including the PhD in Biological Sciences, MS in Computational Biology, MS in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics, and MS in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering.

Long-Term Accreditation Value: Carnegie Mellon's official Biological Sciences materials do not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the BS in Biological Sciences. Therefore, no additional program-specific accreditation claim is stated.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into graduate or professional study in biological sciences, computational biology, quantitative biology and bioinformatics, biotechnology and pharmaceutical engineering, medicine and related life-science disciplines. Carnegie Mellon offers its own PhD in Biological Sciences and several related master's programs, while the department's research opportunities and Honors Program can provide additional preparation for advanced study.