Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Drexel University

Program Overview

Drexel University’s Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences gives students a broad foundation in the study of living organisms while allowing them to develop deeper expertise through a choice of specialized concentrations. It is well suited to students interested in research, healthcare, biotechnology, bioinformatics, environmental and biological sciences, or professional and graduate study, with coursework spanning molecular biology, genetics, physiology, ecology, evolution, genomics and disease biology.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIO 131 – Cells and Biomolecules, BIO 132 – Genetics and Evolution, and BIO 133 – Physiology and Ecology, alongside chemistry and mathematics. Laboratory components such as Cells and Biomolecules Lab, Genetics and Evolution Lab, and Anatomy and Ecology Lab introduce students to practical biological investigation from the beginning of the degree.

Year 2: Students move into molecular and cellular biology through BIO 209 – Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology I, BIO 211 – Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology II, and BIO 219 – Techniques in Molecular Biology. They also study organic chemistry and physics, while BIO 224 – Form, Function & Evolution of Vertebrates and BIO 225 – Vertebrate Biology and Evolution Laboratory broaden their understanding from cellular processes to whole organisms.

Year 3: Students develop more advanced analytical and scientific skills through ENVS 212 – Evolution, MATH 410 – Scientific Data Analysis I, and MATH 411 – Scientific Data Analysis II, while choosing BIO/ENVS electives connected to their selected concentration. Depending on their interests, electives can include BIO 311 – Biochemistry, BIO 331 – Bioinformatics I, BIO 413 – Genomics, BIO 318 – Biology of Cancer, or BIO 426 – Immunology.

Year 4: Students focus increasingly on their chosen biological sciences area and complete advanced electives and the BIO 471, BIO 472 and BIO 473 – Seminar in Biological Sciences sequence. Students can specialize through areas such as Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry, Organismal Biology/Physiology, Ecology/Evolution/Genomics, Pathobiology, General Biology, or Cell and Gene Therapy, while using free electives to further shape their academic and career interests.

Focus areas: Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry, Organismal Biology/Physiology, Ecology/Evolution/Genomics, Pathobiology, General Biology, Cell and Gene Therapy

Learning outcomes: Understand biological structures and processes from the cellular to organismal level, apply biological laboratory techniques, analyze scientific data and literature, communicate scientific information effectively, conduct biological research, and apply biological knowledge to professional or graduate-level settings.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Biological Sciences BS is a science degree rather than an engineering or professionally licensed program, so it does not carry an ABET-style professional engineering accreditation. Drexel structures the degree to prepare students for technical careers in research and commercial laboratories and for professional schools and graduate study.

Reputation (employability rankings): Drexel states that Biological Sciences graduates pursue careers across medicine, healthcare, research and commercial laboratories, biotechnology, government, bioinformatics, genomics, public health, forensics, genetic counseling, science journalism and law. The program also integrates Drexel Co-op, allowing students to gain professional experience and build employer networks before graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Drexel's Biological Sciences program emphasizes learning by doing, with students gaining practical experience through laboratory courses, faculty research, co-op employment and advanced biological facilities. The Department of Biology is based in the Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building, where teaching and research laboratories provide access to modern microscopy, cell imaging, digital image analysis, cell culture and other scientific equipment. Students can also work with faculty researchers and use Drexel's research infrastructure to develop practical laboratory and analytical skills.

Students can put these opportunities into practice through:

Molecular biology laboratory training: BIO 219 – Techniques in Molecular Biology provides dedicated practical exposure to modern molecular biology techniques.
Research laboratory courses: Students can choose laboratory electives such as BIO 213 – Drosophila Neural Research, BIO 215 – Techniques in Cell Biology, BIO 232 – Discovering Antibiotics, BIO 306 – Biochemistry Laboratory, and BIO 329 – Dictyostelium Research.
Independent research: BIO 497 – Research allows students to undertake research by permission of the Department.
Digital image analysis: Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building teaching laboratories include networked computers and advanced digital image analysis capabilities.
Cell Imaging Center: Students benefit from access to Drexel's Cell Imaging Center and microscopy infrastructure, including light and confocal microscopy facilities.
Laboratory equipment: Biology teaching and research laboratories include ultracentrifuges, spectrophotometers, scintillation and luminescence counters, densitometers and cell-culture facilities.
Drexel Co-op: Students can choose a five-year plan with three six-month co-op periods, a four-year plan with one six-month co-op, or a four-year plan without co-op.
Industry and research placements: Recent Biological Sciences co-op employers include AstraZeneca, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Fox Chase Cancer Institute, GlaxoSmithKline, Spark Therapeutics and ViroPharma.
Faculty research: Students can work alongside faculty researchers in areas including biochemistry and cell biology, disease biology, evolutionary biology and genomics, genetics and molecular biology, and neurobiology.
Study abroad: The Department of Biology also highlights study-abroad opportunities as part of the broader experiential learning available to its students.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Biological Sciences BS from Drexel can lead into technical laboratory and research careers as well as professional and graduate education. Drexel identifies career pathways in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university and medical research laboratories, government laboratories, healthcare, bioinformatics, genomics, public health, genetic counseling, clinical laboratory medicine and other biological science fields.

Typical career roles include Biological Research Scientist, Laboratory Scientist, Biotechnology Specialist and Bioinformatics Specialist. Other pathways include genomics, clinical research, pharmaceutical research, public health, forensic biology and biological education.

Students can strengthen their career progression through:

Drexel Co-op: Biological Sciences students can gain up to 18 months of on-the-job experience through the five-year co-op pathway, helping them explore career options, strengthen their résumé and develop professional networks.
Industry and research employers: Recent employers include AstraZeneca, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Fox Chase Cancer Institute, GlaxoSmithKline, Spark Therapeutics and ViroPharma, while the catalog also lists Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Wistar Institute, Janssen Biotech and Integral Molecular among past employers.
Co-op employment and salary: For the 2024–25 academic year, Drexel reports a $17.00 median hourly co-op rate for Biological Sciences, with a $15.00 25th percentile and $20.00 75th percentile; 70.8% of Biological Sciences co-op positions were paid.
Career development: COOP 101 – Career Management and Professional Development is part of the curriculum for students following a co-op pathway, while Drexel's Steinbright Career Development Center supports students with co-op and career preparation.
Professional preparation: The degree provides a foundation for professional schools including medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, as well as graduate study in biology-related fields and public health.
Further specialization: Students can use concentrations and electives to build expertise in areas such as genetics and molecular biology, disease biology, genomics, neurobiology, cell and gene therapy, and bioinformatics.
Research progression: Students interested in research can pursue independent research during the BS and can continue into Drexel's accelerated Biological Sciences BS/MS pathway or other graduate programs.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue to master's and PhD programs in biology and related biological sciences, or pursue professional education in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and other health-related fields. Drexel also offers an accelerated Biological Sciences BS/MS pathway for qualified students who want to continue directly into graduate-level biological sciences study.