BS in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Boston University

Program Overview

The BS in Biology at Boston University’s Metropolitan College provides broad training in biological and related sciences, covering the unity and diversity of living systems and the fundamental processes that shape life. It is designed for students interested in applied biology, biological research, teaching, or further graduate and professional study, with coursework spanning biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their foundation with MET BI 107 Biology I: Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, which introduces biological principles through evolution, ecology, and behavior, including laboratory work. They can build the related-science foundation through MET CH 101 General Chemistry 1 and MET MA 121 Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences I, developing the scientific and quantitative skills needed for later biology courses.

Year 2: Students progress to MET BI 108 Biology II: Cells, Genetics, Development, and Physiology, examining cellular processes, genetics, development, physiology, and neurobiology through lecture and laboratory study. Supporting courses such as MET CH 102 General Chemistry 2 and MET CH 172 Principles of Organic and Biochemistry strengthen their understanding of chemical systems and biomolecules relevant to biological science.

Year 3: Students move into more specialized biology through courses covering physiology, endocrinology, and neurobiology; cell and molecular biology; and ecology, behavior, and evolution. The curriculum requires at least three biology courses at the 300–500 level and at least three courses with laboratory or field components, giving students opportunities to develop more advanced analytical and practical skills.

Year 4: Students consolidate their knowledge through advanced biology electives and related sciences, with options that can include MET CH 373 Principles of Biochemistry, MET PY 211 General Physics, or MET PY 212 General Physics II, depending on their selected course pathway. Electives are selected with academic-counselor guidance, allowing students to strengthen preparation for biology-related employment or postgraduate education.

Focus Areas: Evolution, ecology and behavior, cell and molecular biology, physiology, endocrinology, neurobiology, biological research, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, and physics.

Learning Outcomes: Scientific method, biological knowledge, scientific literature research, critical evaluation of peer-reviewed research, research and analysis, technical biology skills, and preparation for postgraduate study or biology-related employment.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Accreditation: The official Boston University program information does not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the BS in Biology; the curriculum instead provides preparation for applied biology, biological research, teaching, and graduate or professional study.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Career preparation: Boston University states that the Biology program develops technical and analytical skills for employment and postgraduate education, while BU Biology reports alumni progressing into research positions at Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Tufts Medical Center.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Biology at Boston University gives students practical experience through laboratory, field, and research-based learning across areas ranging from molecular biology to ecology and conservation. Students can work with Biology faculty on laboratory research, use specialized research facilities and equipment, and pursue research for academic credit; approximately 100 Biology undergraduates conduct research each year in BU Biology and external laboratories.

Research & Laboratory Experience:

Undergraduate Research: Students can conduct faculty-supervised laboratory research for academic credit through Biology research courses such as BI 140/141, BI 240/241, BI 340/341, BI 350/351/352, and BI 450–453.
Research Facilities: Biology students have access to facilities including the Aquarium Room, Stable Isotope Laboratory, DNA Sequencing and Molecular Biology Facility, environmental rooms, instrument rooms, and specialized research laboratories.
Advanced Equipment: The department provides specialized equipment for electron, fluorescence, and confocal microscopy, as well as tissue culture and biochemical, physiological, molecular, and genetic applications.
Teaching Laboratories: Biology teaching laboratories are located in the Metcalf Science Center, while departmental research laboratories are located across three buildings along Cummington Mall.
Research Projects: Undergraduate research projects involve laboratory work under a faculty mentor, with students expected to participate in research activities and discuss their progress regularly with their Biology faculty mentor or sponsor.
UROP: The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provides another route into hands-on research, including a 10-week research experience with faculty experts and graduate students; students may also receive funding for research supplies or conference/field travel.
Internships: The Biology Department does not operate a permanent Biology-specific internship program, but students can use the College of Arts & Sciences and Center for Career Development internship resources; many Biology students undertake research instead of or alongside traditional internships.
Career Platform: Handshake is BU's recommended platform for finding internships, jobs, and career events, while the Career Advisory Network provides access to nearly 8,000 alumni volunteers for career advice and networking.
Field Research: Biology faculty and students conduct field research at US and international sites, providing opportunities to develop biological field skills beyond the classroom.
Collaborative Research: Students can participate in interdisciplinary research spanning molecular biology, organismal biology, ecology, populations, and ecosystems, with the department highlighting collaborative research activities.
Marine Facilities: Students interested in marine biology can benefit from BU's aquatic facilities for experimental work with freshwater and saltwater organisms, alongside research connections involving marine biology and conservation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biology degree can prepare students for careers in biological research, applied biology, science education, healthcare, and related life-science fields, while also providing a foundation for graduate and professional study. Boston University Biology graduates have progressed into research positions at Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Tufts Medical Center, and the Broad Institute, as well as medical, dental, and veterinary programs.

Typical Job Roles: Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Biological Researcher, Science Educator.

Career Support & Employment Services:

Career Development: BU’s Center for Career Development provides career exploration, job-search support, résumé and cover-letter reviews, mock interviews, career counseling, workshops, and recruiting events.
Handshake: Students can access jobs, internships, employer events, appointments, and career resources through Handshake, where more than 38,000 employers post opportunities for BU students and alumni.
Alumni Networking: The Career Advisory Network provides access to nearly 8,000 alumni volunteers who can offer career advice and networking connections.
Research Opportunities: Biology students can participate in research as volunteers, for academic credit, or through paid opportunities, including research supported by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.

Employment Statistics & Salary: BU’s 2025 First Destination Survey recorded 61% full-time employment and 25% graduate or professional school among the 3,846 undergraduate degree recipients for whom destination data were collected; 87% reported at least one experiential-learning experience and 72% reported at least one internship. The university reported a $74,956 mean starting salary among the 580 respondents who supplied salary information; BU does not publish a Biology-specific salary figure on the cited official pages.

University–Industry Partnerships: BU maintains formal research connections with industry through its Corporate Research & Contracting activities, while the Biological Design Center connects researchers with biotechnology companies and organizations; BU also identifies a collaboration between its Center for Regenerative Medicine and GSK focused on stem-cell biology, regenerative medicine, and translational science.

Long-Term Accreditation Value: Boston University’s official Biology pages do not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Biology bachelor’s degree. The program instead emphasizes scientific-method expertise, biological knowledge, research skills, and technical or analytical preparation for biology-related employment and postgraduate education.

Graduation Outcomes: Biology graduates have continued into medical, dental, and veterinary degrees at institutions including Boston University, Temple University, Tufts University, and the University of Illinois, while others have entered master’s programs at Boston University, Harvard, Yale, Rutgers, Tufts, and George Washington University. Alumni have also moved into research, fieldwork, and science-education roles.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the undergraduate Biology degree, students can progress into master’s or PhD programs in Biology and related fields, as well as medical, dental, veterinary, and other professional programs. BU also offers a BA/MS in Biology, normally designed for completion in five years, allowing eligible Biology majors to continue directly into graduate-level Biology coursework and research.