BA/BS Biological Sciences

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Dominican University of California

Program Overview

The Biological Sciences BA/BS at Dominican University of California gives students a broad foundation in biology while preparing them for careers in biotechnology, environmental work and teaching, as well as professional pathways in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, nursing and physician assistant studies. Students gain substantial research experience from their first year, complete career-related internships for academic credit, and can choose among Integrative Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Molecular Cell Biology, and Organismal Biology concentrations.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with foundational biological and scientific study through courses such as Organismal Biology (BIO 1000), Organismal Biology Lab (BIO 1005), Cell and Developmental Biology (BIO 1100) and Cell and Developmental Biology Lab (BIO 1105). They also begin developing research skills through Biological Research Methodology I (BIO 2990/CHEM 2990), alongside foundational chemistry, mathematics and the Dominican CORE curriculum.

Year 2: Students deepen their understanding of biological systems through Genetics and Molecular Biology (BIO 2800), Genetics and Molecular Biology Lab (BIO 2805), Ecology and Evolution (BIO 2900) and Ecology and Evolution Lab (BIO 2905). Chemistry, physics, mathematics and further research preparation broaden the scientific foundation needed for upper-division study.

Year 3: Students move into advanced study and begin shaping their education around their chosen concentration. Depending on their interests, courses can include Advanced Cell Biology, General Microbiology, Immunology, Advanced Ecology, Conservation Biology, Marine Biology, Animal Physiology, Neuroscience, or General Human Physiology, while Science Seminar (BIO 3501) and advanced research methodology strengthen scientific communication and investigation skills.

Year 4: Students complete advanced concentration electives and substantial research or professional experience. Options include Internship: Biology (BIO 4996), Biological Research Methodology II–IV, Directed Research: Biology (BIO 4998), or scientific communication courses, allowing students to finish with practical experience that supports employment or applications to graduate and professional schools.

Focus Areas

Integrative Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Molecular Cell Biology, Organismal Biology, biotechnology, environmental science, organismal science, laboratory research, health and pre-professional preparation.

Learning Outcomes

Students learn to integrate fundamental biological and physical science concepts with laboratory skills, apply scientific principles when designing and carrying out research, communicate scientific findings through written and oral presentations, connect scientific and humanistic perspectives to ethical practice, and relate their scientific education to career awareness and readiness.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Dominican University of California is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Dominican's official accreditation page states that, on June 26, 2026, WSCUC issued the university a Warning; the university remains accredited during the warning period and states that students' status is not affected. The university's accreditation page does not list a specialized accreditation specifically for the Biological Sciences BA/BS.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Dominican reports that 99% of first-year undergraduate students receive financial aid, and its official rankings page states that the university is ranked #31 Best Regional Universities (West) and #16 Best Value Schools – Regional Universities (West) in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Dominican also reports that it was recognized by Money's Best Colleges in America 2026 with a 4.5-star rating, while university-wide alumni data identifies employers including Genentech, Kaiser Permanente, Labcorp, Johns Hopkins Hospital, MarinHealth Medical Center, and the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Dominican makes research a central part of the Biological Sciences experience rather than treating it as an optional add-on. Every Biological Sciences major completes seven units of undergraduate research courses, beginning in the first year, with opportunities for laboratory or field-based research, scientific writing, faculty mentoring and presentation of findings; internships are also incorporated into the curriculum for academic credit.

Students can build practical experience through:

Research Methodology Course Series: Biology students participate in Dominican's signature research methodology sequence, gaining hands-on laboratory or field-based research experience and developing scientific writing and research skills.
Research laboratories: Students work in modern research laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment and technology under the guidance of experienced faculty mentors.
Marine ecology research: Current undergraduate research includes a coral-bleaching prevention project through the university's marine ecology lab.
Research presentation: Students can present their research at national or regional meetings and at Dominican's Scholarly Research and Creative Works Conference.
Internship: Biology (BIO 4996): The 2026–27 curriculum includes a dedicated Biology internship course, allowing students to connect academic study with professional experience.
Directed research: Students can complete Directed Research: Biology (BIO 4998) for 1–6 units, giving them the opportunity to undertake substantial independent research.
Field-based learning: The curriculum includes Field Biology (BIO 3500) and International Field Biology (BIO 3505) among its upper-division options.
Geographic Information Systems: Students interested in ecology and environmental science can take Geographic Information Systems (ENSC 4500) and GIS Lab (ENSC 4505).
Study abroad: Short-term courses and long-term study-abroad programs are integrated into the Biological Sciences curriculum.
Kaiser Permanente mentoring: Students pursuing health-related fields can participate in Dominican's exclusive Kaiser Permanente mentoring program.
Internship support: Dominican's Internship Program provides faculty-advisor guidance, academic credit and placements across medical, public, education, nonprofit and business organizations.
Digital career tools: Career Development provides access to Handshake, along with 1:1 coaching, resume and LinkedIn workshops, mock interviews and graduate-school planning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Biological Sciences degree from Dominican can lead directly into entry-level environmental, biotechnology, laboratory and teaching careers while also providing the scientific preparation needed for graduate and professional education. The university specifically identifies pathways into medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, nursing and physician assistant programs, with research and internship experience strengthening students' preparation for these next steps.

Typical job roles: Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Environmental Technician, Secondary School Teacher

Career Development: Dominican provides 1:1 career coaching, career exploration, resume and cover-letter reviews, LinkedIn workshops, mock interviews, job-search guidance, graduate-school planning and personal-statement feedback.
Internship and employer connections: The university uses Handshake to connect students with jobs and internships, while its internship program provides faculty supervision, academic credit and professional experience.
Health-sector connections: Biological Sciences students interested in health careers can access the exclusive Kaiser Permanente mentoring program.
Graduate and professional outcomes: Dominican identifies Biological Sciences as preparation for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, nursing, physician assistant and graduate programs.
Employment examples: Dominican's university-wide alumni data identifies organizations including Genentech, Kaiser Permanente, Labcorp, Johns Hopkins Hospital, MarinHealth Medical Center and the San Francisco Department of Public Health among employers of recent alumni.
Graduate outcomes: A Dominican survey of the Class of 2023 found that 85% of respondents were working or interning in paid full-time positions or attending graduate/professional school, and 96% said their current job aligned with their career interest.
Research-to-career preparation: The seven-unit research requirement gives students experience in research methodology, problem solving, scientific communication and presentation—skills relevant to laboratory and graduate-level work.
Institutional reputation: Dominican's official 2026 rankings include #31 Best Regional Universities (West) and #16 Best Value Schools (West) according to U.S. News & World Report.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into Dominican's M.S. in Biological Sciences, a research-intensive program focused on areas including genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell and developmental biology, neurobiology, environmental sciences, biotechnology, genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. Students can also use the Biological Sciences foundation for medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, nursing, physician assistant and other graduate or professional programs; Dominican additionally offers a Pre-Medicine Track open to students of any major.