Biological Sciences, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of South Carolina

Program Overview

The Biological Sciences B.S. at the University of South Carolina gives students a broad foundation in the life sciences while allowing them to explore areas such as medicine, biotechnology, environmental conservation, research and education. Students study biology alongside chemistry, genetics, ecology, evolution, cellular and molecular biology and physiology, making the degree a strong choice for students who want to understand living systems and prepare for scientific careers or further professional study.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin with the fundamentals of biological and chemical science through BIOL 101/101L Biological Principles I, CHEM 111/111L General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab, and mathematics such as MATH 141 Calculus I. In the second semester, BIOL 102/102L Biological Principles II, CHEM 112/112L General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab, and MATH 142 Calculus II build a stronger understanding of biological systems, chemistry and quantitative reasoning.

Second Year: Students move into more specialized biological science with courses such as BIOL 301 Ecology and Evolution, BIOL 302 Cell and Molecular Biology, and BIOL 303 Fundamental Genetics, while also developing quantitative and chemical skills through STAT 205 Elementary Statistics for the Biological and Life Sciences and CHEM 333 Organic Chemistry I. The curriculum also introduces CSCE 102 Web Design and Development using AI Tools, giving students an opportunity to develop an additional digital skill alongside their scientific studies.

Third Year: Students deepen their knowledge through physiology and plant biology options, with choices such as BIOL 460 Advanced Human Physiology, BIOL 549 Plant Physiology, BIOL 543 Comparative Physiology, BIOL 420 Survey of the Plant Kingdom and BIOL 426 Plant Ecology. They also begin taking more advanced biological science electives, allowing them to shape the degree around interests such as human biology, plants, ecology, neuroscience or other areas of biological science.

Fourth Year: The final year is strongly customizable, with students completing upper-level Biological Sciences electives and laboratory-based coursework; the degree requires at least 12 credits of major courses at the 400–699 level. Students can use these advanced choices to develop a focused academic profile for areas such as research, medicine, biotechnology, environmental science or graduate study.

Focus areas

Cell and molecular biology, genetics, ecology and evolution, plant biology, physiology, integrative biology, cancer biology, developmental biology, marine biology, neurobiology, biotechnology, environmental and conservation biology.

Learning outcomes

Students develop a strong foundation in biology, learn to analyse qualitative and quantitative data, evaluate experiments and scientific evidence, formulate and test hypotheses, critically assess primary scientific literature, solve biological problems, communicate scientific knowledge and work independently and collaboratively.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The official University of South Carolina program and 2026–2027 Academic Bulletin do not identify a separate professional accreditation for the Biological Sciences B.S. Instead, the degree is structured as a 120-credit Bachelor of Science within the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, with a strong emphasis on scientific knowledge, laboratory experience, research and preparation for professional or graduate study.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of South Carolina does not publish a specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for this individual Biological Sciences B.S. program. However, the Department of Biological Sciences reports 2,200 undergraduate students and 55 faculty members, and the university identifies medicine, public health, biotechnology, conservation and agriculture among the workplace settings connected with its graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

USC gives Biological Sciences students opportunities to learn through laboratory courses, faculty-led research and experiences beyond the classroom. The department specifically emphasizes experiential learning through courses, laboratories and research in faculty laboratories, while its research infrastructure gives students exposure to biological investigation from the molecular level through organisms, ecosystems and environmental systems.

Students can build practical experience through:

Undergraduate research: Biological Sciences students can participate in faculty research, with opportunities spanning cellular stress, cancer biology, ecology, evolution, marine biology, neurobiology, plant biology, and stem cell and developmental biology.
Laboratory-based learning: The B.S. requires at least three courses applied toward the major to have an associated laboratory, ensuring that students gain practical experience alongside their theoretical studies.
Electron Microscopy Center: Students involved in research can access a core facility providing technical support and consultation in light microscopy, electron microscopy and elemental analysis.
Functional Genomics Core: Located in the Coker Life Sciences Building, this facility provides access to genomic research infrastructure within USC's wider life-science research environment.
Microarray Center: The university's Microarray Center, also located in the Coker Life Sciences Building, supports biological research involving gene-expression and genomic analysis.
Mass Spectrometry Center: Students connected with research can benefit from centralized access to high-performance mass spectrometry resources used by USC researchers and external institutions.
A.C. Moore Herbarium: With more than 120,000 dried plant specimens, the herbarium provides a substantial resource for plant research, education and public outreach.
W. Gordon Belser Arboretum: This 10-acre nature preserve contains ten different biomes, a botanical garden, waterfall and educational exhibits, providing a living setting for studying plant communities and biodiversity.
Baruch Institute: Students interested in coastal and marine biology can learn at the institute's 17,500-acre living laboratory on the South Carolina coast, complementing laboratory study with field-based environmental research.
Research and teaching opportunities: The B.S. specifically allows students to take experiential learning courses with opportunities for undergraduate research and teaching, helping them develop investigative, communication and collaborative skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biological Sciences B.S. is designed to keep several pathways open after graduation, from research and biotechnology to medicine, public health, conservation and education. USC identifies potential careers including physician, dentist, veterinarian, educator, forensic scientist and laboratory scientist/medical technologist, while alumni have held roles such as research assistant, teacher, medical assistant, patient care technician and pharmacy technician.

Typical career directions include Research Assistant, Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist, Forensic Scientist, Educator:

Career support and preparation: The degree develops research, problem-solving, communication, analytical reasoning, collaboration and critical-thinking skills that USC identifies as important professional capabilities.
Research opportunities: Students can build research experience through faculty laboratories and USC's broad biological research environment, strengthening preparation for research-focused employment or postgraduate study.
Graduate and professional pathways: The university identifies medicine, allied health, biotechnology, environmental agencies and NGOs, science writing, forensic science, research, law and marine biology among possible directions after the degree.
Relevant employers: USC lists alumni employers including the University of South Carolina, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, Greenville Health System, Medical University of South Carolina, Lexington Medical Center and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Workplace sectors: Graduates can use the degree in medicine, public health, biotechnology, conservation and agriculture, depending on their chosen specialization and additional qualifications.
Department scale and research environment: USC's Department of Biological Sciences reports 2,200 undergraduate students, 80 master's and Ph.D. students and 55 faculty members, providing a substantial academic and research community.
Professional development through research: Faculty research covers eight areas, including cancer biology, ecology, evolution, marine biology, neurobiology, plant biology, cellular stress, and stem cell and developmental biology, allowing students to build experience aligned with different long-term career interests.
Salary and employment statistics: The official program and department pages reviewed do not publish a specific graduate employment rate or salary figure for the Biological Sciences B.S. It would therefore be inappropriate to add an estimated salary or employment percentage as an official program statistic.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral-level study in biological sciences and related areas, or pursue professional education depending on their career goals. USC's Department of Biological Sciences offers M.S./Ph.D. research programs and an Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's pathway, while the university also provides routes into areas such as medicine, public health, pharmacy and law.