Biology (BS)

Georgia Tech’s B.S. in Biology gives students plenty of opportunities to move beyond classroom learning and develop practical skills through laboratory work, research, internships, teaching, and interdisciplinary projects. Students can work alongside faculty on real biological research and gain experience using specialized facilities and research technologies in areas such as molecular biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, ecology, proteomics, and microscopy. These experiences help students build laboratory, research, teamwork, analytical, and problem-solving skills that are useful for careers in biotechnology, healthcare, research, and graduate study.

Students can gain hands-on experience through:

• Research Project Lab – BIOS 4590: Students complete a biology research project in a small-class environment, with the research topic depending on the faculty member teaching the course.

• Independent Research Project – BIOS 4690: Students carry out independent research under the guidance of a Biology faculty member in an active research laboratory.

• Undergraduate Research – BIOS 4699: Students can join faculty-led research teams and contribute to ongoing biological research while earning academic credit. Paid research opportunities are also available through BIOS 4698 Research Assistantship.

• Research Option: Students can complete nine credit hours of supervised research across multiple semesters, develop an original research project, write a thesis, and present their research findings.

• Biology Internships: Students can gain professional experience through supervised biology-related internships in areas such as government, healthcare, academia, environmental science, and biotechnology. Opportunities can include organizations such as the CDC, Piedmont Hospital, Georgia Tech Research Institute, and biotechnology companies.

• Internship courses: BIOS 4695 Biology Internship allows students to receive academic credit for practical biology-related work, while BIOS 4694 Biology Intern Assistantship provides a way to document paid or unpaid biology internships without academic credit.

• Research facilities: Students can gain experience in research environments located in the Engineered Biosystems Building, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Ford Environmental Science and Technology Building, and Cherry Emerson Building.

• Specialized research equipment: Georgia Tech provides access to facilities supporting areas such as proteomics, lipidomics, bioinformatics, and microscopy, including mass spectrometry, confocal microscopy, and Bio-Omics facilities.

• Marine and field research: Students interested in ecology and marine biology can participate in research and field-based activities connected with facilities such as the Priest Landing Marine Facility, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, and UGA Marine Institute at Sapelo Island.

• Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP): Students can join multidisciplinary, faculty-led projects and work as part of a research team over multiple semesters. This provides valuable experience in collaboration, research, and solving real scientific problems.

• Teaching experience: Biology students can work with faculty in introductory Biology laboratories and courses, helping them develop communication, teaching, and practical laboratory skills.

• International opportunities: Students can gain international academic and research experience through Biology-related programs in locations including the Pacific, Lyon, and Barcelona, as well as through partner universities abroad.

• Computational and digital learning: Students can develop quantitative and computational skills through courses such as Genomics and Applied Bioinformatics, Mathematical Models in Biology, and Experimental Design and Statistical Methods in Biological Sciences.

Georgia Tech’s B.S. in Biology gives graduates a wide range of options across healthcare, biotechnology, research, government, education, and other life-science fields. The degree also provides a strong foundation for students who want to continue into medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, or graduate programs.

Typical career roles include:

• Microbiologist

• Clinical Research Coordinator

• Product Researcher

• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Career development and employment opportunities:

• Georgia Tech Career Center: Students receive career guidance and can access internship and co-op opportunities that help them gain relevant work experience, build professional connections, and prepare for the job market.

• Biology internships: The School of Biological Sciences provides opportunities with organizations such as the CDC, Piedmont Hospital, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Birds Georgia, and biotechnology companies, allowing students to gain practical experience in different areas of biology.

• Industry and government opportunities: Georgia Tech Biology graduates have gone on to work with organizations such as the CDC, FDA, GBI, National Human Genome Research Institute at NIH, LabCorp, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Zoo Atlanta, and Yerkes Primate Center.

• Salary potential: Georgia Tech highlights average U.S. salaries of approximately $69,960 for Microbiologists, $67,720 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists, and $59,170 for High School Teachers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

• Co-op opportunities: Students can take part in Georgia Tech’s undergraduate Co-op Program, where they alternate academic study with full-time paid employment. Students who complete the requirements can have a cooperative education designation recorded on their diploma.

• Research experience: Students can work with Biology faculty on research projects and develop hands-on research skills. This experience can be particularly valuable for students planning careers in research or further study.

• International experience: Biology students can also participate in Georgia Tech-led international programs in destinations such as Australia and New Zealand, Lyon in France, and Valencia in Spain, giving them broader academic and professional exposure.

• Graduation outcomes: Biology graduates can progress into medical and other professional schools, graduate programs, clinical research, product research, healthcare, biotechnology, forensics, ecology, zoology, genetics, laboratory science, teaching, and positions with state and federal agencies.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biology, students can continue their education through master’s and Ph.D. programs in areas such as bioinformatics, molecular biology, physiology, microbiology, conservation biology, public health, marine biology, engineering, business, and education. Students interested in professional careers can also pursue medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, and other professional degrees, while Georgia Tech offers related pathways such as the B.S./M.S. in Biology and B.S./M.S. in Biology and Bioinformatics.