BA in Biology : Biodiversity, Conservation & Global Change Biology Specialization

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Boston University

Program Overview

The BA in Biology—Biodiversity, Conservation & Global Change Biology Specialization at Boston University gives students a strong foundation in biology while focusing on biodiversity, evolution, ecology, conservation, and the biological impacts of global change. It is well suited to students interested in environmental and biological research, conservation, policy, education, and careers or graduate study related to ecosystems and biodiversity.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with foundational science through CAS BI 107 – Biology 1 and CAS BI 108 – Biology 2, supported by required coursework in chemistry, mathematics or computer science, and physics. BU recommends taking general chemistry alongside the introductory biology sequence, giving students the scientific foundation needed for more advanced ecological and evolutionary study.

Year 2: Students progress into foundation subjects such as CAS BI 303 – Ecology, CAS BI 309 – Evolution, and CAS BI 448 – Biodiversity and Conservation Biology. These courses develop understanding of ecological systems, evolutionary processes, biodiversity, and scientifically based approaches to protecting endangered species and ecosystems.

Year 3: Students deepen their knowledge through advanced biology and breadth courses, with options such as CAS BI 306 – Biology of Global Change, CAS BI 407 – Animal Behavior, CAS BI 443 – Terrestrial Biogeochemistry, and other BCG electives. The specialization encourages students to select taxonomically focused, quantitative or computational, and experiential research-based electives, allowing them to develop a more individualized area of expertise.

Year 4: Students consolidate their specialization through upper-level BCG electives and advanced laboratory, quantitative, or research experiences, with options including CAS BI 411 – Microbiome, CAS BI 423 – Marine Biogeochemistry, CAS BI 500 – Shark Biology & Conservation, and CAS BI 530 – Forest Ecology. Students can also gain practical experience through undergraduate research with Biology faculty or outside laboratories, while the Marine Semester and selected global programs can provide additional field-oriented opportunities.

Focus Areas: Biodiversity and conservation, ecology, evolution, global change biology, organismal biology, marine biology, animal behavior, genomics, computational and quantitative biology, and population genetics.

Learning Outcomes: Students develop broad biological knowledge with in-depth understanding of ecological and evolutionary factors affecting biodiversity, apply the scientific method, evaluate scientific literature, analyze data, use statistical modeling, and develop technical and analytical skills for biology-related employment or postgraduate education.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Accreditation: Boston University’s official program information does not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the BA in Biology—Biodiversity, Conservation & Global Change Biology Specialization. Professional preparation: The specialization is designed to prepare students for graduate study and careers as researchers, educators, policymakers, and analysts in academia, government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Employability: Boston University states that its graduates are ranked #13 for employability in the US by Times Higher Education, reflecting the university's broader graduate-employability reputation rather than a ranking specifically for this Biology specialization. Global standing: BU was ranked 88th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, placing it in the top 6% of evaluated institutions.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in Boston University’s Biodiversity, Conservation & Global Change Biology (BCG) specialization develop practical laboratory, field, research, quantitative, and scientific-communication skills through coursework and optional research experiences. The specialization requires at least three upper-level biology courses with a laboratory component, while students can also pursue faculty research, field courses, the Marine Semester, and BU’s international biodiversity opportunities to apply conservation and global-change concepts in real environments.

Students can build this hands-on experience through several program-specific opportunities:

Marine Research Teaching Lab: The BU Marine Semester provides intensive laboratory and field experience, with coursework based at BU’s Marine Research Teaching Lab and field sites throughout New England and Belize. BCG students can use approved Marine Semester courses as specialization electives.
Field Research: Students can study coastal and marine ecosystems at locations including Plum Island, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, the Boston waterfront, and Cape Cod, with activities examining shoreline evolution, marine ecology, and human impacts on coastal systems.
Belize Fieldwork: Selected Marine Semester courses provide field experience in Belize, including Tropical Marine Invertebrates, Tropical Seagrass Ecology, Coral Reef Fishes, and Corals Across the Seascape.
Research Projects: Students are encouraged to undertake independent research with Biology faculty during the academic year or summer, with opportunities to volunteer, receive funding, or earn academic credit through undergraduate research courses. Approximately 100 Biology students each year conduct research in BU faculty or external laboratories.
Ecology & Conservation Research: The department’s Ecology, Behavior & Evolution research environment supports work using microscopy, molecular genetics, stable isotope analysis, and mass spectrometry, with research and training opportunities connected to the Center for Ecology & Conservation Biology and other research programs.
Tiputini Biodiversity Station: Students have access to field research and training opportunities at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazonian rainforest of eastern Ecuador, providing an international setting for biodiversity and ecological research.
Global Field Experience: The specialization allows relevant study abroad coursework, including BU’s Australia Sydney Program, which offers ecology, conservation, and wildlife-management courses, and the Quito/Universidad San Francisco de Quito Exchange Program, which includes fieldwork on the Galápagos.
Marine GIS & Digital Tools: Marine Semester offerings include Marine Geographic Information Systems, giving students an opportunity to apply geographic and quantitative approaches to marine and environmental research.
Team-Based Research: The Marine Semester emphasizes concentrated research projects, while students earn BU Hub credit in Teamwork, Scientific Inquiry II, Oral/Signed Communication, and Creativity and Innovation through the program.
Specialized Facilities: Biology research facilities include an Aquarium Room, Stable Isotope Laboratory, DNA Sequencing and Molecular Biology Facility, environmental rooms, instrument rooms, and other shared research spaces supporting ecological and biological investigation.
No Department-Run Internship: BU Biology states that the department does not run specific internships for its students, but it directs students toward recommended internship resources and other experiential opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA in Biology with a Biodiversity, Conservation & Global Change Biology (BCG) Specialization is designed for students who want to understand biodiversity, ecosystems, evolution, and the biological impacts of climate change and other forms of global change. The specialization prepares graduates for research, education, policy, and analytical roles across academia, government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector, while also providing a strong foundation for graduate study.

Typical Job Roles: Conservation Biologist, Environmental Analyst, Ecologist, Researcher.

Career Support & Employment Preparation:

Career Development: BU’s Center for Career Development provides career-readiness programming, employer connections, and resources designed to help students and alumni make professional decisions and build connections with employers.
Career Events: BU hosts a Healthcare and Life Sciences Career Fair where students can connect with organizations and explore internships, research opportunities, jobs, and graduate-school pathways.
Research Experience: Biology students can undertake paid research, volunteer research, or research-for-units with Biology faculty and outside laboratories, with funding opportunities available through UROP and Work-Study.
Professional Development: Biology students can receive travel grants supporting research conferences and professional-development activities, helping them build experience and professional networks.

Employment & Salary Figures:

Biology Salary: BU College of Arts & Sciences reports a $42,859 mean starting salary for bachelor’s graduates in Biology, based on NACE First Destinations data for the Class of 2022.
Career Range: The BCG specialization identifies potential careers as researchers, educators, policymakers, and analysts in academia, government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.
Program-Specific Employment Rate: BU does not publish a current employment rate specifically for the BCG specialization on its official program page, so no specialization-specific percentage is stated here.

University–Industry & Professional Connections:

Life Sciences Network: BU’s life-sciences career ecosystem includes connections with organizations and employers through career fairs, internships, research opportunities, and professional events.
Industry Partnerships: BU’s broader scientific training ecosystem works with Propel Careers and MassBioEd, connecting trainees with life-sciences career development, networking, mentoring, workforce training, and industry engagement.
Research Community: Biology faculty conduct research across biological organization from molecular and organismal biology through population ecology and entire ecosystems, providing a strong environment for students interested in conservation and global-change research.

Accreditation Value: Boston University states that it is institutionally accredited through NECHE, and its accreditation framework covers the quality and integrity of the university’s academic programs and degrees. BU does not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the BA in Biology—Biodiversity, Conservation & Global Change Biology Specialization.

Graduation Outcomes: The BCG specialization explicitly prepares students for graduate school and identifies progression into research, education, policymaking, and analytical careers across academia, government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Students can also pursue BU’s BA/MS in Biology, while the university identifies the Biogeoscience and URBAN graduate programs as further opportunities.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can continue into graduate study in biology, biogeoscience, conservation, ecology, environmental science, or related fields, including Boston University’s Biology graduate pathways. The BCG specialization specifically notes the dual BA/MS in Biology and opportunities to apply to BU’s Biogeoscience and URBAN Graduate Programs, while research experience gained during the undergraduate degree can strengthen preparation for advanced academic or professional study.