Biological Sciences (BA or BS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Connecticut

Program Overview

UConn's Biological Sciences program gives students broad, flexible training across all core areas of biology — ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology, and cells and molecules — making it a great fit whether you're headed toward medical school, biotech, research, or science education. With both a B.S. (recommended for a scientific career track, requiring chemistry, physics, and calculus) and a more flexible B.A. option, you can tailor the major to your exact interests while building the foundation for graduate or professional study.

Curriculum Structure

Year One starts with BIOL 1107: Principles of Biology I and BIOL 1108: Principles of Biology II (or BIOL 1110: Introduction to Botany), completed by the end of sophomore year, giving you the broad biological foundation the rest of the major builds on.

Year Two introduces coursework from the five required "core groups" — ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology, and cells/molecules — through classes like MCB 2410: Genetics (or MCB 2400: Human Genetics) and EEB 2245: Evolutionary Biology, giving you exposure across the full breadth of biological science before you specialize.

Year Three deepens your specialization with courses like EEB 2244E: General Ecology, MCB 2210: Cell Biology, or MCB 2610: Fundamentals of Microbiology — drawn from any of the three biology departments (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, or Physiology and Neurobiology) — while working toward the 36 required credits at the 2000-level or higher.

Year Four lets you finish your 3000-level-and-above coursework (at least 6 credits required) and complete a required "W" (writing-intensive) course from EEB, MCB, or PNB, with the option to substitute up to 3 independent study credits through research courses like MCB 4896: Undergraduate Research or EEB 3899: Independent Study.

Focus Areas: Students can tailor the major toward any area of biology — with the flexibility to emphasize ecology and evolutionary biology, molecular and cell biology, or physiology and neurobiology, depending on career goals.

Learning Outcomes: Graduates build broad training across all core areas of biological science, with a required class in each of the five core groups (ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology, cells and molecules), and — for B.S. students — a strong quantitative and lab science foundation through required chemistry, physics, and calculus coursework.

Professional Alignment: The B.S. degree is specifically recommended for students planning a scientific career or graduate study in science, biotechnology, or health professions (M.D., D.D.S., P.A.), while the B.A. degree provides a richer liberal arts foundation that still supports graduate study and diverse career paths.

Reputation: UConn is ranked among the top 20 public national universities by U.S. News & World Report, and its Biological Sciences program is supported by faculty research labs spanning three dedicated biology departments (EEB, MCB, and PNB).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Biological Sciences majors at UConn are "uniquely positioned" — as the department itself puts it — to get involved in faculty research labs across all three biology departments simultaneously, rather than being limited to one narrow specialty. Combined with study abroad, student organizations, and structured internship support, the program is built to get students real, hands-on experience well before graduation:

Core lab coursework: Students are encouraged to complete at least four lab-based courses across the biology departments, building direct hands-on technical skills
Cross-departmental research access: Ability to join faculty research labs in any of the three biology departments — Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, or Physiology and Neurobiology — rather than being restricted to a single track
Independent & structured research programs: Options for becoming a research assistant or leading an independent project (EEB 3899, MCB 3899, MCB 4896, PNB 3299), plus on-campus research programs offering structure, mentorship, and financial support
Internships: Biological Sciences and related biology majors have interned at organizations like the Student Conservation Association/Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Jackson Laboratory, and Yale University — found through Handshake and career.uconn.edu/experiential-learning
Study abroad: Listed as a core hands-on opportunity for biological sciences majors to apply their education in a global context
Student organizations: Groups like Alpha Beta Epsilon (biology honor society), the Wildlife Society, STEMTalk Magazine, and learning communities like EcoHouse and Women in Math, Science, and Engineering (WiMSE)
Academic advising: Dedicated support through the Biology Advising Center, which connects students to career development, research programs, and graduate/professional school planning
Career support: UConn's Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills provides career coaching, access to 12twenty (UConn's online recruiting platform), and industry-focused Career Communities for exploring biology-related job paths

Progression & Future Opportunities

Biological Sciences graduates from UConn pursue careers across healthcare, government, education, and research — the degree's flexibility is its biggest strength. Typical paths include Laboratory Technician, Healthcare Administrator, Research Assistant, Technical Writer, and Public Health roles: here's how UConn sets that up.

Career services support: UConn's Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills and the Biology Advising Center's Jobs and Careers resources offer career coaching, industry-focused Career Communities, networking events, and access to 12twenty and Handshake job postings
Employment & outcomes stats: UConn publishes annual undergraduate outcomes data (2025 Undergraduate Outcomes At-A-Glance) tracking employment and continuing education rates across majors, with dedicated alumni job outcomes data available specifically for the Biological Sciences Program
University–industry & research partnerships: Biology majors have completed research and internships at institutions like Jackson Laboratory, Yale University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology
Long-term value: The B.S. track is specifically designed as preparation for graduate and professional programs in science, biotechnology, or health (M.D., D.D.S., P.A.), while the B.A. track supports diverse non-clinical career paths with a broader liberal arts foundation
Graduation outcomes: Graduates pursue careers spanning allied health, bioinformatics, biomedical sciences, biotechnology, education, healthcare administration, laboratory sciences, patient care, pharmacy, policy and law, public health, research, and technical writing

Further Academic Progression: Because Biological Sciences majors have access to labs and coursework across all three biology departments, the degree naturally feeds into more specialized majors and graduate programs offered by each — Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Physiology and Neurobiology, and Structural Biology and Biophysics — all of which offer their own graduate degree programs at UConn. Common graduate and professional paths for Biological Sciences alumni include allied health degrees (occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant), biochemistry/biophysics, biology, dentistry, education, public health, and medicine.