Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Mississippi State University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biological Sciences at Mississippi State University gives students a broad foundation in the life sciences while allowing them to build deeper knowledge in areas aligned with their interests and professional goals. It is a strong choice for students considering careers or further study in areas such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, nursing, research and other biological science fields.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with foundational science and university coursework, including BIO 1111 Welcome to Biological Sciences, BIO 1134 Biology I and CH 1213/CH 1211 Chemistry I and Investigations in Chemistry I. They also develop quantitative and communication skills through courses such as Calculus I, English Composition and other general education requirements.

Year 2: Students build a stronger understanding of living systems through BIO 1144 Biology II, BIO 2103 Cell Biology and BIO 2113 Plant Biology. Chemistry, physics, mathematics and communication coursework continue alongside biology, giving students a broad scientific foundation before moving into upper-level study.

Year 3: The program moves into more specialized biological topics, including BIO 2513 Animal Diversity, BIO 3104 Ecology and BIO 3304 General Microbiology. Students also complete Organic Chemistry and its laboratory components while beginning to select additional science coursework that can support their preferred biological or pre-professional direction.

Year 4: Students develop advanced knowledge through courses such as BIO 4133 Human Genetics and BIO 4113 Evolution, together with upper-level biology or biochemistry electives. These choices allow students to tailor the final stage of the degree toward areas relevant to research, professional programs or biological science careers.

Focus Areas

Cell biology, plant biology, animal diversity, ecology, microbiology, human genetics, evolution, biochemistry, pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-veterinary medicine and other biological science pathways.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of biology and gain supporting knowledge in chemistry, mathematics and physics. The program also develops scientific reasoning, laboratory-based learning, analytical skills and preparation for professional or graduate study.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The official Mississippi State University program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the B.S. in Biological Sciences. The degree instead provides broad biological science preparation and is designed to support professional pathways such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and nursing, as well as biological science careers.

Reputation (Employability & Official Statistics)

Mississippi State University's Department of Biological Sciences reports that the B.S. prepares students for a wide range of professional programs and biological science careers. The university's Career Center specifically identifies employment directions including animal technician, aquatic biologist, biochemist, biophysicist, biotechnologist, botanist, environmental technician, field research biologist, fisheries biologist, forensic scientist, laboratory technician, marine scientist and microbiologist.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program combines classroom science with laboratory-based learning and opportunities for hands-on research. Biology courses such as BIO 1134 Biology I and BIO 1144 Biology II include laboratory components, while the department provides dedicated teaching and research spaces in Harned Hall, a greenhouse, an animal facility and an Academic Computing Lab used for digital laboratory activities. The department also connects students with research faculty and wider university centers and institutes, creating opportunities to work with current biological research methods and data.

Students can develop practical skills through:

Laboratory-based biology: BIO 1134 Biology I and BIO 1144 Biology II include laboratory work covering areas such as cell structure, genetics, evolution, ecology, organismal biology and physiology.
Digital laboratory activities: The department's Academic Computing Lab is used extensively in Biology courses for digital lab activities.
Research facilities: Harned Hall contains modern research laboratories, communal laboratory spaces and teaching facilities specifically supporting the Department of Biological Sciences.
Greenhouse experience: A dedicated greenhouse behind Harned Hall provides an environment for plant-related teaching and research; the department highlights hands-on botany research involving seedlings.
Animal research facilities: The Harned Hall Annex includes an animal facility alongside additional research and teaching laboratories.
Research collaboration: Biology faculty maintain connections with centers, institutes and other departments across Mississippi, allowing students and researchers to access broader collaborations, technologies and data sources.
Scientific specialization: Upper-level coursework allows students to explore areas such as human genetics, evolution, ecology, microbiology, plant biology and biochemistry through advanced science electives.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biological Sciences provides a flexible foundation for students who want to enter biological science-related employment or continue into professional and graduate programs. Mississippi State specifically highlights pathways including pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-veterinary and nursing preparation, while its Career Center identifies a broad range of laboratory, environmental, biological and research-oriented job opportunities.

Typical career directions include Biologist, Laboratory Technician, Biotechnologist, Environmental Technician:

Career preparation: Mississippi State's Career Center provides major-specific career information and identifies possible job titles for Biological Sciences graduates, including aquatic biologist, biochemist, biophysicist, botanist, field research biologist, fisheries biologist, forensic scientist, marine scientist and microbiologist.
Professional-school preparation: The department specifically prepares students for professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and nursing.
Research preparation: Students have access to departmental research facilities and faculty research connections, supporting preparation for research-oriented careers and postgraduate study.
Practical facilities: Harned Hall provides modern research and teaching laboratories, while the greenhouse, animal facility and Academic Computing Lab support practical and digital learning.
Graduation outcomes: The university does not publish a program-specific employment percentage or average salary on the official Biological Sciences program page, so an employment rate or salary should not be added as an official program statistic.
Long-term value: The broad scientific foundation can support progression into specialized graduate or professional education, particularly because the curriculum includes biology alongside chemistry, physics, mathematics and upper-level science electives.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into Mississippi State University's M.S. in Biological Sciences or Ph.D. in Biological Sciences. The department also offers an accelerated Master's program for outstanding undergraduate students engaged in undergraduate research, providing a direct route toward advanced biological sciences study. Students pursuing medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, nursing and other professional fields can use the B.S. as their undergraduate scientific foundation before entering the relevant professional program.