Bachelor of Science in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Emory University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biology at Emory University is designed for students seeking strong preparation for scientific careers in biology, health professions, or advanced study in the life sciences, with deeper training in chemistry, physics, quantitative methods, and calculus than the BA. Students build a broad foundation in modern biology before progressing into cell and molecular biology, organismal biology, ecology and evolution, supported by laboratory work, research, seminars, and directed study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIOL 141 Foundations of Modern Biology I (Cell Biology and Genetics) and BIOL 142 Foundations of Modern Biology II (Molecular Biology and Developmental Genetics), alongside their laboratory components. Chemistry and mathematics are integrated from the beginning through CHEM 150 + 150L, CHEM 202 + 202L, and MATH 111/116, giving students the biological, chemical, and quantitative preparation needed for advanced coursework.

Year 2: Students move into upper-level biological study and begin selecting courses across different areas of the discipline. Options include BIOL 241 Evolutionary Biology, BIOL 247 Ecology, BIOL 250 Cell Biology, and BIOL 264 Human Genetics, while QTM 100 develops quantitative skills and additional chemistry can support students following pre-health pathways.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes increasingly specialized, allowing students to explore areas such as biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, ecology, or other biological fields. Courses such as BIOL 301 Introductory Biochemistry and BIOL 336 Human Physiology connect molecular mechanisms with biological systems and human health, while students can also begin or deepen undergraduate research experiences.

Year 4: Students complete their advanced biology electives and can use the flexibility of the BS curriculum to develop a pathway suited to their academic or career interests. Research-focused students can pursue BIOL 499R Undergraduate Research or BIOL 495 Honors Research, while advanced options such as BIOL 415 Cancer Biology and Oncogenes and BIOL 430 Human Genome Project and Disease allow students to engage with contemporary biological research.

Focus areas: Cell and molecular biology, organismal biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, physiology, genetics, developmental biology, biochemistry, quantitative biology, microbiology and molecular genetics.

Learning outcomes: Apply major biological concepts, connect biological and physical sciences, develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, use quantitative approaches to address biological questions, and prepare for careers or post-baccalaureate education.

Professional alignment (accreditation): SACSCOC accreditation — Emory University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate and other degrees, with its current reaffirmation extending through 2034. The Biology BS itself is not identified by Emory as having a separate professional accreditation.

Reputation (employability rankings): QS USA ranking recognition — Emory reported being ranked 22nd in the United States and 1st in Georgia in the 2021 QS USA University Rankings, which assessed areas including employability, learning experience, research, and diversity; this is a university-level ranking rather than a Biology BS-specific ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in Emory University’s Bachelor of Science in Biology gain practical experience through laboratory courses, field-based study, supervised research, and advanced independent investigation. The curriculum gives students opportunities to move beyond classroom theory into cutting-edge biological research, with access to research laboratories across Emory and affiliated research environments including the Medical School, CDC, Yerkes, and Winship Cancer Center. Emory also offers dedicated research pathways such as BIOL 499R, SURE, and the Biology Honors Program, while its three biology tracks—Integrative Biology, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology—allow students to develop experience aligned with their interests.

Practical research and laboratory experience:

BIOL 499R Undergraduate Research: Students work under the direction of a faculty research mentor for at least two semesters, applying classroom knowledge to an independent biological research experience.
SURE research experience: The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) provides a structured 10-week research experience with campus housing and a stipend, giving students intensive exposure to scientific research.
Biology Honors research: Senior Biology majors can complete BIOL 495A and BIOL 495BW, conduct independent laboratory research, and present a research thesis to a faculty committee.
Research teams: Undergraduate researchers can work as part of teams involving a faculty principal investigator, postdoctoral fellows, research specialists, and graduate students, providing experience with the collaborative structure of professional biological research.
Laboratory facilities: Students can access research environments beyond the Biology Department, including laboratories in the Emory School of Medicine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Yerkes National Primate Research Center, and Winship Cancer Institute.
Field learning: Emory Biology provides dedicated field programs that allow students to gain biological experience outside the classroom, with the Biology Department offering field-course scholarship funding of up to $2,500 over an undergraduate career.
Research-focused introductory course: BIOL 200: Introduction to Biological Research prepares first- and second-year students for future laboratory and field research through programs such as SURE, SIRE, and BIOL 499R.
Laboratory and field courses: Emory’s curriculum includes supervised laboratory experiences and advanced courses spanning cell and molecular biology, physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, allowing students to develop practical skills across different areas of biology.
Collaborative field investigation: Biology field coursework can include hands-on investigation of organisms and ecosystems; for example, Emory’s Field Botany course studies plants in their natural habitats, while Freshwater Ecology involves collaborative teams designing, conducting, and analyzing experiments using laboratory instrumentation and techniques.
Research infrastructure: Emory’s broader biological research environment includes advanced core facilities supporting imaging, genomics, glycomics, computational biology, and proteomics, giving students involved in research access to a highly developed scientific ecosystem.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Biology at Emory University prepares students for scientific careers in biology as well as health professions, with opportunities to build experience through laboratory work, directed study, and undergraduate research. The degree also supports pathways into industry, government, nonprofits, medicine, and graduate or professional education.

Typical job roles: Biomedical Scientist, Environmental Scientist, Forensic Scientist, Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Career and employment support:

Career services: Emory’s Pathways Center helps students find and apply for internships, research opportunities, job shadowing, and other applied experiences, while also providing career exploration and preparation.
Research experience: Biology students can complete BIOL 499R Independent Research for Credit, working with a faculty research mentor for at least two semesters. The SURE Program additionally provides a 10-week full-time research experience with a housing award, stipend, mentorship, networking, and graduate-school preparation.
Employment outcomes: Emory reports that 97% of Emory College graduates were employed or pursuing graduate school within six months of graduation for the Class of 2024, while 100% participated in an internship, research, study-abroad, or arts experience during their time at Emory.
Salary figures: A Biology-specific graduate salary figure is not stated on Emory’s official Biology or undergraduate outcomes pages, so no program-specific salary figure is provided.
University–industry connections: Biology students benefit from Emory’s extensive biomedical research ecosystem, including connections across the School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory Vaccine Center, Winship Cancer Institute, and CDC-related research collaborations.
Professional preparation: Biology advising includes dedicated pre-medical, pre-veterinary, pre-physician-assistant, and pre-physical-therapy advisors, who provide career guidance and support for students pursuing health professions.
Long-term accreditation value: Emory University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate and other degrees. Its accreditation was formally reaffirmed in December 2024 and extends through 2034, providing continuing institutional quality assurance and recognition.
Graduation outcomes: Biology graduates develop preparation for scientific careers, health professions, graduate study, and professional programs, with the curriculum covering areas including cell and molecular biology, physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology.

Further Academic Progression: After the BS, students can progress into graduate or professional education, including Emory’s Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, where programs span areas such as Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, and Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution. Students pursuing healthcare careers can also use Emory’s pre-health advising pathways to prepare for medical, veterinary, physician-assistant, or physical-therapy programs.