Bachelor of Arts in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Emory University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology at Emory University combines a liberal arts education with strong training in biology, making it well suited to students who want broad academic flexibility alongside a foundation in the life sciences. Students build knowledge across cell and molecular biology, physiology, ecology, evolutionary biology, and other biological disciplines, with opportunities for laboratory work, research, seminars, directed study, and field experiences.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their biological foundation through Biology 141: Foundations of Modern Biology I (Cell Biology and Genetics) and Biology 142: Foundations of Modern Biology II (Molecular Biology and Developmental Genetics), together with their laboratory components. These courses introduce cell structure and function, genetics, molecular biology, development, metabolism, evolution, and scientific reasoning.

Year 2: Students move into broader organismal and evolutionary concepts through courses such as Biology 240: Organismal Form and Function and Biology 241: Evolutionary Biology, while beginning to explore research through Biology 200: Introduction to Biological Research. The coursework develops understanding of physiology, ecology, adaptation, population genetics, and the research process.

Year 3: Students can deepen their interests through upper-level subjects such as Biology 250: Cell Biology, Biology 264: Human Genetics, or Biology 370: Introduction to Microbiology. These courses allow students to explore molecular and cellular processes, human genomics, microbial physiology, genetics, and evolution while building more specialized biological knowledge.

Year 4: Advanced study can include courses such as Biology 402W: Neuroscience Live, Biology 430: Human Genome Project and Disease, or Biology 465: RNA and Biotechnology, depending on the student's interests and approved degree plan. Students can use this stage to integrate advanced biological concepts, research literature, biotechnology, genomics, and specialized topics with their broader liberal arts education.

Focus areas: Integrative Biology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

Learning outcomes: Biological concept application, interdisciplinary scientific understanding, problem-solving, critical thinking, quantitative skills, career preparation, post-baccalaureate preparation.

Professional alignment (accreditation): SACSCOC-accredited institution, with accreditation reaffirmed through 2034; Emory is accredited to award baccalaureate and other degrees.

Reputation (employability rankings): Not stated on the official Emory Biology BA or Department of Biology pages; no university-published program-specific employability ranking is provided.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA in Biology at Emory University gives students practical experience through laboratory courses, field-based study, independent research, and faculty-mentored projects. Students can build hands-on skills in experimental design, scientific analysis, and biological research, with opportunities to work in laboratories across Emory, including the Medical School, CDC, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, and Winship Cancer Institute. The program also offers field experiences such as Coastal Biology and the Ecology of the Tropics field course in Peru, allowing students to apply biology beyond the classroom.

These opportunities include:

Independent research: BIOL 499R Undergraduate Research allows students to work with a faculty research mentor for at least two semesters, applying classroom knowledge to active biological research.
Research presentation: Students completing BIOL 499R participate in the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, where they present a poster describing their research project.
Research laboratories: Biology students can conduct research in departmental laboratories as well as facilities connected to the Medical School, CDC, Yerkes, and Winship Cancer Institute, often working as part of research teams with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, specialists, and graduate students.
Laboratory courses: The BA requires an upper-level laboratory course, while students can choose practical courses such as Ecology Laboratory, Experimental Evolution Lab, Microbial Ecology Lab, and Coastal Biology with Laboratory.
Field trips: BIOL 329 Coastal Biology includes a mandatory laboratory/field trip to St. Simons Island, while the Ecology of the Tropics program takes a select group of students to Peru for field-based study of tropical biodiversity and ecosystems.
Field research: The Tropical Marine Ecosystems component includes field excursions to local sites where students learn from researchers and managers while studying mangroves, coral reefs, and other coastal ecosystems.
Honors research: Eligible senior Biology majors can complete BIOL 495A/495BW, conducting independent laboratory research and presenting a research thesis to a committee.
Summer research: The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) provides a 10-week full-time research experience with a faculty mentor, with course credit or federal work-study compensation available.
Research facilities and technology: Emory provides access to advanced research infrastructure supporting areas including imaging, genomics, glycomics, computational biology, and proteomics, giving students a pathway into modern biological research environments.
Experiential learning: Emory's Pathways Center helps students find and apply for internships, research opportunities, job shadowing, and applied learning experiences, complementing the Biology department's laboratory and field opportunities.
Facilities: Students benefit from Emory's broader biological research environment, including laboratories and research facilities across the university's biology, medical, public-health, and biomedical research communities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA in Biology at Emory University gives students a broad foundation in the biological sciences while providing opportunities to apply theory through laboratory, field, and research experiences. Graduates can build careers in research, healthcare, biotechnology, environmental science, education, and related fields, while the degree also provides strong preparation for graduate and professional study.

Typical job roles: Biological Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Environmental Scientist, Science Educator.

Career and progression opportunities:

Research opportunities: Emory’s Undergraduate Research Programs connect students with faculty mentors, research projects, conference opportunities, workshops, and independent research funding; more than 60% of Emory students participate in faculty-guided research.
Career preparation: Research experiences help students build professional resumes, identify internships, prepare for graduate or professional school, and apply for competitive fellowships.
Research programs: Students can gain hands-on experience through the SIRE Program, designed for first-time undergraduate researchers, and the SURE Program, a 10-week intensive research experience with faculty mentorship.
Employment statistics and salary: Emory does not state a BA Biology-specific employment rate or salary figure on its official Biology program pages, so no program-specific figure is provided.
Industry and research connections: Emory’s biological sciences ecosystem connects students with research across medicine, public health, cancer, brain health, infectious disease, and other life-science areas, while its research programs provide opportunities to work directly with faculty.
Professional development: Biology students can receive conference and travel grants of up to $1,000 for undergraduate research presentations, while BioMe provides mentorship, events, and professional-development programming for Biology majors.
Accreditation value: Emory University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), providing long-term institutional recognition of its degrees.
Graduation outcomes: Biology graduates develop laboratory, research, analytical, scientific communication, and problem-solving skills, supporting progression into research careers, professional schools, graduate programs, biotechnology, healthcare, and related fields.

Further Academic Progression: After the BA, students can pursue Emory graduate and professional programs in areas such as Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Biology, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution, and Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology. Emory also offers a 4+1 BS/MS pathway in Cancer Biology and Translational Oncology for qualified undergraduate students, while the university’s medical, public health, and other professional programs provide additional routes for advanced study.