BIOL:BA - Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida International University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences at Florida International University gives students a broad foundation in the science of life, covering areas from cells, genetics and evolution to ecology, human biology and marine science, while developing research, data-analysis and scientific-reasoning skills. It is a flexible choice for students who want to connect biology with areas such as allied health, science communication, education, bioentrepreneurship, health and environmental policy, or pre-law, with the option to study in person or fully online.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin by building their scientific foundation through lower-division preparation, including BSC 2010 General Biology I and Lab, BSC 2011 General Biology II and Lab, and CHM 1045 General Chemistry I and Lab. These courses establish the biological and chemical knowledge needed for more advanced study later in the degree.

Second Year: Students continue strengthening their foundation with subjects such as CHM 1046 General Chemistry II and Lab and the required mathematics and physics preparation, while completing the remaining lower-division coursework. This stage gives students the scientific background needed to move into upper-division biology and begin shaping their studies around their chosen track or career direction.

Third Year: The upper-division curriculum moves deeper into biological systems through courses such as BCH 3034 Cellular Chemistry, PCB 3043 Ecology, and PCB 3063 Genetics, helping students connect molecular processes with organisms and ecosystems. Students also begin developing stronger scientific literacy and can select upper-division biology electives that support their intended career or further-study goals.

Fourth Year: Students build on this knowledge through PCB 4674 Evolution, BSC 4931 Senior Seminar, upper-division biology electives and laboratory experiences, while completing the courses associated with their selected track. This final stage is designed to bring together biological knowledge, scientific reasoning and the student's chosen area of interest before graduation or progression to further study.

Focus areas

Cell and molecular biology, genetics and evolution, ecology and environmental science, human biology and physiology, marine and tropical biology, science communication, health policy, environmental policy, pre-law, allied health and bioentrepreneurship.

Learning outcomes

Students develop a broad understanding of biological systems, strengthen research and data-analysis abilities, apply scientific reasoning to real-world biological questions, and build communication and critical-thinking skills that can support employment or graduate and professional study.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The BA in Biological Sciences is offered within FIU's College of Arts, Sciences & Education and benefits from FIU's institutional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which accredits FIU to award baccalaureate and other degrees. FIU's official specialized-accreditation listing does not identify a separate specialized professional accreditation for the BA in Biological Sciences; therefore, no program-specific accreditation should be claimed beyond FIU's institutional accreditation.

Reputation (employability rankings)

FIU's Biological Sciences department offers a strong research environment, with more than 100 professors and researchers and research activity spanning areas including molecular biology, ecology, neuroscience, zoology, botany and marine sciences. FIU's Career and Talent Development also reports that the university consistently surpasses approved benchmarks for median wages among full-time employed bachelor's graduates, although an official program-specific employment rate or salary figure for the BA in Biological Sciences was not identified.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA in Biological Sciences gives students opportunities to move beyond classroom study through research activities, laboratory experiences and practical exposure to biological work. FIU describes its Biological Sciences department as an immersive learning environment connected to the living laboratory of South Florida, with opportunities such as the Biology Research Forum, Summer Research Poster Showcase, Sprouting research-skills program and Research Expo. Students can also pursue supervised research or professional laboratory and field experience, while FIU's extensive biological research infrastructure provides access to facilities working with DNA, marine ecosystems, ecology, molecular biology and other areas.

Students can develop practical skills through:

Biological Sciences Research Internship (BSC 3941): Provides supervised practical experience in a professional laboratory or field setting where biologists work, subject to instructor permission.
Biology Research Forum and Summer Research Poster Showcase: Students have opportunities to engage with and present current biological research.
Sprouting Program: Provides early undergraduate students with literature-review instruction designed to establish foundational research skills.
DNA Core Facility: Provides access to Sanger DNA sequencing, next-generation sequencing, fragment analysis and related data-analysis services for Biological Sciences and related disciplines.
Research centers and programs: Students are connected to a research environment that includes the Center for Aquatic Chemistry and the Environment, Florida Coastal Everglades LTER, Global FinPrint, Institute of Environment, International Center for Tropical Botany at the Kampong, International Forensic Research Institute, Sea Level Solutions and Tropical Conservation Institute.
Field and marine opportunities: Upper-division offerings can include courses such as BSC 4473C Introduction to Scientific Diving, while the department's research environment covers marine biology, ecology, conservation and South Florida ecosystems.
Student research community: Students can connect with organizations such as the Undergraduate Research Society, QBiC Club and Society for Women in Marine Science through Panther Connect.
Career and experiential-learning record: FIU's Co-Curricular and Experiential Learning Transcript can document undergraduate research, internships/co-ops, community-based learning and other career-development experiences alongside the academic transcript.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA in Biological Sciences is designed to keep several pathways open, whether a student wants to enter a life-science-related career or continue into graduate or professional education. FIU specifically highlights allied health, science communication, education, bioentrepreneurship, health and environmental policy, and pre-law as areas that can be built into the degree through its available tracks.

Typical career directions can include allied health professional, science communicator, biological science educator, bioentrepreneur and other biology-related roles depending on the student's selected track and additional qualifications.

Students can strengthen their progression through:

Career support: FIU Career and Talent Development provides career coaches, career-development resources and employer connections, while its Career Milestones framework is designed around networking, applied learning and experiential learning.
Career and earnings information: FIU's MyFloridaFuture tool allows students to explore real data on career outcomes and potential earnings by major across Florida. FIU also reports that its bachelor's graduates have consistently surpassed approved benchmarks for median wages among full-time employed graduates.
Employer connections: FIU's Career and Talent Development works with employer partners to connect students and graduates with career opportunities; the university also provides career fairs, networking and professional-development opportunities.
Research and professional exposure: The Biological Sciences department provides research forums, poster showcases, research-exposure events and supervised research opportunities that can help students develop evidence of practical experience.
Long-term accreditation value: FIU's institutional SACSCOC accreditation covers its baccalaureate degrees and was reaffirmed in 2021, with the next reaffirmation scheduled for 2031. This provides institutional quality assurance for the degree, although the BA itself does not have a separate specialized professional accreditation listed by FIU.
Graduation and next-step preparation: The program is explicitly designed to prepare students for further graduate and professional studies as well as employment requiring university-level life-science training. FIU also provides dedicated Pre-Health Advising for students pursuing professional healthcare programs.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can continue into graduate or professional education depending on their chosen pathway. FIU's Biological Sciences department lists the MS in Biology, PhD in Biology, and a Combined MS in Forensic Science/PhD in Biology Pathway, while students interested in healthcare can use FIU's Pre-Health Advising for preparation toward professional programs.