BS in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

George Washington University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biology at The George Washington University gives students a strong foundation in modern biology while allowing them to specialize through General Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, or Ecology, Evolution and Environment concentrations. The program suits students interested in health sciences, biotechnology, environmental and evolutionary science, research, or further professional and graduate study, with coursework spanning biology, chemistry, physics, laboratory science, quantitative methods and bioinformatics.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the biological foundations needed for advanced study through BISC 1111 Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules and BISC 1112 Introductory Biology: The Biology of Organisms, alongside foundational science courses such as CHEM 1111 General Chemistry I. These courses establish an understanding of cellular processes, organisms and core scientific principles.

Year 2: Students move into more specialized biological concepts with courses such as BISC 2202 Cell Biology and BISC 2207 Genetics, while continuing chemistry and laboratory preparation. Depending on their concentration and interests, students begin building toward areas such as molecular biology, organismal biology, ecology or biotechnology.

Year 3: Coursework becomes increasingly advanced and concentration-focused, with options such as BISC 3209 Molecular Biology, BISC 3208 Molecular Biology Laboratory, BISC 3215 Genome Editing Laboratory, and BISC 2454 General Ecology. Students can also develop quantitative and computational skills through options such as Introduction to Bioinformatics and Statistics for the Biological Sciences.

Year 4: Students deepen their expertise through upper-level biology electives and advanced concentration coursework, with opportunities for BISC 4171 Undergraduate Research, BISC 4172W Research Internship and Writing in Biology, or field-oriented courses such as BISC 3459 Field Biology. Eligible students may also develop an honors thesis based on their research experience, providing a substantial capstone-style opportunity.

Focus areas: General Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology, Evolution and Environment; supporting areas include genetics, physiology, biotechnology, zoology, anatomy, microbiology, field biology, marine biology, statistics and bioinformatics.

Learning outcomes: Students develop knowledge of modern biological concepts and approaches, laboratory experience, quantitative and bioinformatics skills, research capabilities, and the ability to apply biology across health, biotechnology, environmental and scientific contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The official GW program page identifies the B.S. in Biology as a STEM degree; a separate professional accreditation specific to the biology bachelor's program is not stated on the official program page.

Reputation (employability rankings): A program-specific employability ranking is not stated on the official GW Biology program page; the university instead highlights graduate pathways into medical, dental and veterinary school, graduate biology programs, pharmaceutical and biotechnology careers, and government roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biology at George Washington University gives students substantial hands-on experience through laboratory courses, faculty-led research and research internships. Students can begin participating in research as early as their sophomore year, working alongside faculty in areas ranging from molecular and cellular biology to ecology and evolution. The degree also includes multiple laboratory options, including Molecular Biology Laboratory, Genome Editing Laboratory, Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Microbial Genomics Laboratory and Field Biology, allowing students to build practical laboratory, analytical and field-research skills.

Practical learning opportunities include:

Undergraduate Research: Students can undertake BISC 4171 Undergraduate Research or BISC 4172W Research Internship and Writing in Biology, gaining experience in academic research, laboratory techniques and analytical methods.
Research Internships: BISC 4171 and BISC 4172W require students to secure research opportunities in GW laboratories or research institutions in the Washington, D.C., area, with many students remaining in a laboratory for more than one semester.
Laboratory Facilities: Students can train through specialized courses such as Genetics Laboratory, Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Introductory Microbiology Laboratory, Molecular Biology Laboratory, Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Genome Editing Laboratory and Microbial Genomics Laboratory.
Field Experience: The BS includes Field Biology and ecology-related courses with field components, providing opportunities to apply biological concepts beyond the laboratory.
Harlan Undergraduate Research Fellowship: Biology majors in their first year, sophomore or junior year can apply for the Wilbur V. Harlan Research Fellowship, which provides a stipend for independent research in a Biology Department laboratory and culminates in a final poster presentation.
Research Facilities: The department's research environment includes the Science and Engineering Hall, Wilbur V. Harlan Greenhouse and Bell Hall, supporting research across different areas of biology.
Harlan Greenhouse: The 1,225-square-foot Wilbur V. Harlan Greenhouse supports research involving plants, insects, climate change and genetic diversity, and undergraduates can apply for research funding or volunteer opportunities.
Research Partnerships: Students benefit from GW's location in Washington, D.C., including research collaborations with the National Institutes of Health and the Smithsonian Institution. The Biology Department also has a collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History dating back more than 100 years.
Research Funding: GW provides opportunities for undergraduate research funding through programs such as the Robert Vincent Fellowship Fund, Luther Rice Undergraduate Research Fellowship and GW-SPARC.
Research Presentation: Students undertaking the Harlan fellowship prepare a final poster presentation, while research courses develop scientific writing and presentation of research results.
Digital/Software Tools: The official BS Biology pages specifically identify bioinformatics as part of the quantitative area of the curriculum, but they do not name a specific software package as a required program tool.
Group Projects: The official program information emphasizes faculty-supervised research and laboratory work rather than identifying a specific required group-project component; therefore, a dedicated group project is not stated.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biology at George Washington University prepares graduates for careers across biological research, biotechnology, healthcare, government and related life-science fields. The degree also provides a strong foundation for students planning medical, dental or veterinary school, or graduate study in biology and related disciplines.

Career roles: Research Scientist, Biological Technician, Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Medical Manager.
Career services: GW’s Center for Career Services provides individualized career coaching, resume and cover-letter support, interview preparation, networking assistance and access to Handshake for jobs and internships. Students can also use industry career coaching and GW Career Connect to connect with alumni and professionals.
Employment outcomes: GW reports that 9 out of 10 undergraduates secured post-graduate plans within six months of graduation; this is a university-wide undergraduate outcome rather than a Biology-specific statistic.
Internship participation: GW reports that 74% of students participated in an internship or research opportunity, providing an indication of the university-wide experiential-learning environment rather than a Biology-specific rate.
Salary information: The official GW Biology career materials identify career fields and employers but do not publish a Biology-specific graduate salary figure; therefore, a program-specific salary should not be assumed.
Research opportunities: Biology students can complete required research courses through a research internship at GW or a research institution in the Washington, D.C., area, gaining laboratory skills and experience with analytical methods.
Research partnerships and employers: GW's official Biology career resources identify organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Children's National Medical Center, MedStar Health Research, Smithsonian Institution, Thermo Fisher Scientific, U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service among sample employers for Biology and Life Sciences students.
Industry connections: GW Career Services engages 900+ employers on and off campus and provides employer information sessions, industry panels, career fairs, company site visits and other recruiting opportunities.
Accreditation value: The official B.S. in Biology program page does not state a specific professional accreditation for the degree; therefore, no program-specific accreditation benefit is claimed here.
Graduation outcomes: GW states that Biology graduates pursue medical, dental and veterinary school, graduate programs in biology, private-sector pharmaceutical and biotechnology careers, and government positions.
Further preparation: Students interested in health professions can also use GW's pre-health advising and research resources, including guidance toward laboratory research and opportunities such as NIH's Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biology, students can progress to medical, dental or veterinary school, pursue graduate programs in biology, or continue into related postgraduate fields such as biotechnology, biomedical sciences, public health and other life-science disciplines. GW specifically notes that Biology graduates continue into graduate programs at GW and other institutions as well as professional health programs.