BIOL:BS - Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida International University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biological Sciences at Florida International University gives students a broad foundation in ecology, genetics, molecular and cell biology, evolution, organismal diversity, and physiology/biochemistry, making it a strong choice for students interested in research, healthcare, conservation, forensics, or graduate study. Students can build their degree around their interests through areas such as Biotechnology, Forensic Biomolecular Biology, Quantifying Biology in the Classroom, Biology Education, Pre-Health preparation, or Honors study.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through BSC 2010 General Biology I and Lab, BSC 2011 General Biology II and Lab, and CHM 1045/1045L General Chemistry I and Lab. They also begin the mathematics and physical-science preparation required for advanced biological study, including MAC 2311 Calculus I and the first physics sequence.

Second Year: Students progress into more advanced chemistry and quantitative preparation through CHM 2210/2210L Organic Chemistry I and Lab, CHM 2211/2211L Organic Chemistry II and Lab, and MAC 2312 Calculus II or the approved Statistics I and II pathway. Depending on their academic plan, students can also begin incorporating data-science preparation through CAP 2752 Fundamentals of Data Science.

Third Year: The curriculum shifts strongly toward upper-division biological sciences, beginning with BSC 3848 Science and Career Literacy, PCB 3043 Ecology, and PCB 3063 Genetics. Students then develop deeper cellular and evolutionary understanding through courses such as PCB 4023 Cell Biology and PCB 4674 Evolution, while choosing upper-division coursework across ecology, organismal diversity, physiology/biochemistry, and structure/development.

Fourth Year: Students complete their advanced biology electives and laboratory requirements while tailoring the degree toward their intended career or graduate pathway. Options can include BSC 4434 Bioinformatics for Biologists, BSC 4450L Computational Biology Lab of Emerging Infectious Disease, OCB 4104C Field Methods in Marine Ecology, or other specialized upper-division courses, giving students opportunities to develop focused laboratory, computational, ecological, or organismal expertise.

Focus areas

Ecology, Genetics, Molecular and Cell Biology, Evolution, Organismal Diversity, Physiology and Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Forensic Biomolecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Marine and Tropical Biology, Pre-Health Sciences

Learning outcomes

Students develop biological knowledge, scientific and quantitative reasoning, laboratory skills, research and data-analysis abilities, scientific communication skills, and the ability to apply biological concepts across ecological, molecular, cellular, organismal, biomedical, and environmental contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

FIU's official program information identifies the degree as a 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences within the College of Arts, Sciences & Education. The official program pages do not identify a separate program-specific professional accreditation for the B.S. in Biological Sciences; therefore, no specialized accreditation should be recorded unless FIU provides one separately.

Reputation (official statistics)

FIU's Department of Biological Sciences is a research-intensive academic unit whose faculty, staff, and students publish more than 100 scientific papers annually and conduct research supported by more than $10 million per year in grants and contracts. The department also reports that its undergraduate majors successfully enter life-science careers in public, private, and nonprofit organizations and continue into graduate and professional schools.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

FIU's B.S. in Biological Sciences combines classroom study with substantial laboratory, research, and field-based opportunities. Students must complete upper-division biology laboratories and can gain professional experience through the BSC 3941 Biological Sciences Research Internship, which provides supervised practical experience in professional laboratory or field settings. The department and related FIU institutes also provide access to research opportunities spanning molecular biology, genomics, ecology, conservation, marine science, forensics, and computational biology:

Upper-division laboratory training: Students complete four upper-division Biology laboratories as part of the degree, allowing them to apply biological concepts through practical investigation.
Research internship: BSC 3941 Biological Sciences Research Internship provides supervised experience in a professional laboratory or field setting where biologists work.
Computational biology: Students can take BSC 3456L Python for Biologists Lab, BSC 4434 Bioinformatics for Biologists, and BSC 4450L Computational Biology Lab of Emerging Infectious Disease, providing opportunities to develop programming and computational biology skills.
Scientific diving and fieldwork: BSC 4473C Introduction to Scientific Diving provides a specialized field-based option requiring open-water diving certification, a standardized swim test, instructor permission, and FIU diving medical clearance.
Ecology and environmental field experience: Upper-division options include OCB 4104C Field Methods in Marine Ecology, OCB 4004 Biological Oceanography at Sea I, PCB 4462C Introduction to Landscape Ecology with GIS, and PCB 4403C Urban Vector Biology.
Research facilities: FIU's College of Arts, Sciences & Education lists facilities such as the DNA Core Facility, Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility, Microscopy Imaging Facility, Animal Care Facility, Center for Imaging Science, and other specialized research laboratories.
Biomolecular research: The FIU Biomolecular Sciences Institute provides access to facilities including the DNA Core Facility, Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility, Bioinorganic and Environmental Analytical Facility, Florida Center for Analytical Electron Microscopy, and Microscopy Imaging Facility.
Environmental and tropical research: Through the FIU Institute of Environment, students can connect with research internships, fellowships, scholarships, coastal ecosystem research, and faculty research groups in areas connected to biological sciences.
Research communication: Students participating in FIU research opportunities can develop professional skills through journal clubs, presentations, research symposia, and opportunities to present research findings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biological Sciences gives graduates flexibility to enter life-science careers or continue into advanced professional and graduate education. FIU specifically identifies pathways toward areas such as botany, zoology, ecology, molecular and cellular biology, biomedical research, healthcare, natural-resource management, nonprofits, and forensic science.

Typical career roles include Biologist, Botanist, Microbiologist, Conservation Biologist:

Pre-Health support: FIU's Pre-Health Advising team helps students preparing for medical, dental, optometry, and veterinary programs by providing guidance on professional-school requirements, admission tests, and the application process.
Research preparation: Students can gain research experience through faculty-led projects, internships, honors research, and specialized research programs, helping them build practical skills and professional connections.
Professional experience: The curriculum includes the Biological Sciences Research Internship, which provides supervised laboratory or field experience relevant to professional biological work.
Career-oriented curriculum: BSC 3848 Science and Career Literacy is specifically designed for biology majors and prepares students for research, advanced coursework, and post-graduation pathways.
Research strength: FIU's Department of Biological Sciences reports more than 100 scientific papers published annually and more than $10 million in annual research funding, providing students with a research-intensive academic environment.
Professional-school preparation: FIU states that students completing the B.S. in Biological Sciences satisfy the course requirements for admission to medical, dental, optometry, and veterinary schools, although individual professional schools may have additional requirements.
Specialized career directions: Students can tailor upper-division coursework toward biotechnology, forensic biomolecular biology, ecology, organismal diversity, physiology/biochemistry, bioinformatics, marine biology, or other areas depending on their career goals.
Further opportunities: FIU also offers an accelerated 7-Year BS in Biology and MD pathway for qualified students, combining the undergraduate Biology degree with medical education through the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue into FIU's M.S. in Biology, Ph.D. in Biology, or the combined M.S. in Forensic Science/Ph.D. in Biology pathway. Students pursuing healthcare can continue toward medical, dental, optometry, or veterinary education, while research-focused graduates can progress toward master's and doctoral study in biological and related life-science disciplines.