Bachelor's in Biological Sciences : Biology of Animals

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Cincinnati

Program Overview

The University of Cincinnati’s Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences: Biology of Animals is designed for students who want to explore animal life in depth, with focused study of animal behavior, phylogeny, anatomy, physiology, and environmental interactions. Students build a broad foundation in biology before specializing through upper-level animal-focused courses, laboratory experiences, research, and a biology capstone, making the program particularly suited to students interested in animal science, ecology, wildlife, research, or veterinary study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through Biology Lecture and Lab (BIOL 101/111, 102/112, 103/113), First Year Chemistry Lecture and Lab (CHEM 101/111, 102/112, 103/113), and Applied Calculus I & II (MATH 226, 227). English Composition and Introduction to Statistics may also form part of the first-year curriculum, developing the communication and quantitative skills needed for later biological study.

Year 2: The second year moves into more advanced biological and chemical concepts through Sophomore Biology (BIOL 302, 301, 303), alongside Organic Chemistry Lecture and Lab (CHEM 201/211, 202/212, 203/213). Students also complete Intermediate Composition (ENGL 289) and general education courses, strengthening their ability to interpret and communicate scientific information.

Year 3: Students begin concentrating more strongly on animal biology through upper-level Biology of Animals electives, while completing College Physics (PHYS 101/111, 102/112, 103/113). Depending on their interests, the concentration offers subjects such as Invertebrate Zoology (BIOL 520), Neurobiology (BIOL 540), Animal Behavior (BIOL 550), Animal Physiology (BIOL 571), and Evolutionary Biology (BIOL 577).

Year 4: The final year deepens specialization through additional upper-level biology electives, including options such as Vertebrate Zoology (BIOL 647), Conservation Biology (BIOL 610), Tropical Ecology (BIOL 669), Comparative Endocrinology (BIOL 679), and Human and Comparative Anatomy (BIOL 694). Students also complete the Biology Capstone (BIOL 686), which can involve synthesis across biological fields and may include a research project, fieldwork, written work, and presentation.

Focus Areas: Animal behavior, phylogeny, anatomy, physiology, environmental interactions, zoology, ecology, evolution, conservation, comparative biology, and animal research.

Learning Outcomes: Critical observation, biological data analysis, scientific reasoning, laboratory skills, research experience, scientific communication, and the ability to apply biological knowledge to questions involving animals, ecosystems, health, and the environment.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, providing institutional accreditation for the university. The Biology of Animals program is particularly relevant to students preparing for careers or further study in animal biology, wildlife, ecology, research, and veterinary fields.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The University of Cincinnati identifies itself as a Carnegie R1 research university and reports that it is among the top public research universities in the United States; its official fact sheet also reports 1,700+ global co-op employer partners and recognition for its cooperative education model. Program-specific QS or Guardian employability rankings are not stated on the official Biology of Animals program page.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor's in Biological Sciences : Biology of Animals program at the University of Cincinnati gives students practical experience studying animal behavior, anatomy, physiology, evolution, ecology, and environmental interactions. Students build hands-on skills through biology laboratory courses, upper-level laboratory electives, and undergraduate research, with opportunities to conduct research within Biological Sciences and in related facilities across UC and the Cincinnati region. The department also provides well-equipped teaching laboratories and access to research environments such as the UC Center for Field Studies and UC Herbarium.

Students can further develop practical and research skills through these program-specific opportunities:

Laboratory courses: Students complete introductory biology courses with laboratory components and later take upper-level biology electives that must include laboratory experience. Undergraduate research can be used to satisfy one of the laboratory requirements.
Animal-focused field learning: The concentration specifically emphasizes learning about animals in laboratory and natural environments, with coursework focused on animal behavior, phylogeny, anatomy, physiology, and environmental interactions.
Undergraduate research: Students can participate in faculty research and earn academic credit that applies toward upper-level biology requirements. Research opportunities are available within the department as well as at nearby laboratories including the UC Medical School, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, and Environmental Protection Agency.
Field Studies: The department identifies the UC Center for Field Studies as a facility supporting biological sciences research and teaching, providing a particularly relevant environment for students interested in ecology, organisms, and environmental biology.
Research areas: Students can connect with faculty research spanning Sensory Biology and Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, and Molecular Biology, Genetics and Physiology, allowing animal-biology students to explore research from organismal behavior through evolutionary and physiological processes.
Cincinnati Zoo research: Biology undergraduates can pursue research opportunities at the Cincinnati Zoo's Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW), which is specifically listed by the department among locations where biology students have worked for credit, as volunteers, and sometimes as paid assistants.
Specialized research facilities: UC's research directory includes facilities such as the Animal Behavioral Core, which uses video tracking and photocell technology for behavioral studies involving mice and rats. Access is subject to the facility's research and training requirements.
Greenhouse and biological collections: The Department of Biological Sciences' Greenhouse houses plant collections used in classes and provides space for undergraduate, graduate, and faculty research, giving students an additional environment for studying biological systems.
Collaborative research environment: The department encourages collaboration within and among laboratories and research groups, while its facilities support both teaching and research across biological sciences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor's in Biological Sciences : Biology of Animals concentration prepares students to build specialized knowledge of animal behavior, phylogeny, anatomy, physiology, and environmental interactions, supporting careers across animal science, environmental work, research, and conservation. The University of Cincinnati specifically identifies pathways such as zoologist, wildlife biologist, ecologist, animal behaviorist, and veterinarian, with several of these careers requiring additional postgraduate training.

Career and Employment Opportunities: Typical career directions include zoologist, wildlife biologist, ecologist, and animal behaviorist; students can also pursue roles in museums, natural-resource management, environmental/organismal research, fisheries, and wildlife management.

Career services: University of Cincinnati career resources allow students to explore career responsibilities, education requirements, salary expectations, and job outlooks, while career coaches and the LinkedIn Alumni Tool help students connect their major with potential careers and alumni.
Employment outcomes: Across the University of Cincinnati, 92.5% of graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation, based on the university's reported outcomes data. The university also reports 1,700+ employer partners worldwide and a 96.48% response rate for the Class of 2024 outcomes survey. These figures are university-wide rather than specific to Biology of Animals.
Salary information: The university's Biology pages provide access to Career Coach labor-market information sourced from Lightcast and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, including compensation and projected growth by occupation; a Biology of Animals-specific graduate salary figure is not stated on the official program page.
University–industry and community connections: Biological Sciences has collaborations with organizations including the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, while UC's biology graduate outcomes also identify the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, EPA, and Cincinnati Museum Center as destinations for graduates.
Research and graduation experience: Students can use undergraduate research to satisfy one of the required upper-level laboratory experiences, and Biology of Animals students can complete capstone experiences through summer fieldwork, research in a biology laboratory, or work as an assistant teaching assistant in undergraduate laboratories.
Accreditation value: The University of Cincinnati and its regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, providing institutional accreditation for the university and its academic programs.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Bachelor's in Biological Sciences: Biology of Animals, students can continue into UC's M.S. or Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, which can lead toward teaching and research careers. The concentration is also particularly appropriate for students planning to apply to veterinary school, while other possible postgraduate directions include animal science, ecology, wildlife biology, conservation, environmental science, and related professional programs.