Bachelor's of Science in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Georgia State University

Program Overview

Georgia State University’s Bachelor of Science in Biology provides a broad foundation in life science while allowing students to specialize through concentrations in Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Neurobiology, or Pre-Medical/Pre-Health. The program suits students interested in laboratory research, environmental and biological sciences, healthcare professions, biotechnology, or further graduate and professional study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the scientific foundations needed for advanced biology study, including Principles of Biology and Principles of Chemistry, alongside mathematics and the university’s core curriculum. These courses establish fundamental knowledge of living systems, chemical principles, scientific reasoning, and quantitative skills that students build upon throughout the degree.

Year 2: Students progress into more specialized biological study, building their understanding through courses such as Molecular Cell Biology and associated laboratory work. The curriculum also develops supporting knowledge in areas such as organic chemistry and physics, while students begin connecting biological concepts with experimental and analytical approaches.

Year 3: Students deepen their major knowledge through subjects including Animal Biology, Microbiology, and Genetics, with opportunities to shape their studies around a selected biology concentration. Coursework increasingly focuses on understanding organisms, microorganisms, heredity, cellular processes, and biological research, while the program also includes a Critical Thinking through Writing course associated with the Molecular Cell Biology laboratory.

Year 4: In the final stage, students complete advanced biology and concentration-related coursework while using their accumulated scientific knowledge to prepare for professional or graduate pathways. Students can also take additional approved courses from areas such as Anthropology, Geology, and Computer Science, helping them build an interdisciplinary profile suited to research, industry, healthcare, or further study.

Focus areas: General Biology Studies, Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Pre-Medical/Pre-Health.

Learning outcomes: Scientific literacy, critical reading of peer-reviewed literature, interpretation of data presented in different formats, civic engagement with scientific issues, professional conduct, work ethic, reading and communication skills, and effective learning practices.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Georgia State University states that its undergraduate programs conform to commonly accepted standards and practices and that the university undergoes institutional accreditation through SACSCOC; the official Biology B.S. page does not state a separate specialized professional accreditation for this degree.

Reputation (employability rankings): The official Georgia State Biology B.S. sources do not publish a program-specific QS, Guardian, or other employability ranking, so no ranking is stated here.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Biology at Georgia State University gives students practical experience through research-focused laboratory courses, internships, field-based experiences, and faculty-mentored research. Students can participate in Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), independent research in faculty laboratories, and internships that connect classroom biology with professional settings. The program also provides access to specialized research infrastructure across biology, biotechnology, imaging, and biomedical sciences.

Students can build hands-on experience through these program-specific opportunities:

Course-based research: Biology CUREs place students in small research groups working under Biology faculty. Current offerings include Genotyping Free-Living Amoeba and Molecular Evolution, where students learn methods relevant to molecular biology, molecular evolution, and protein-engineering research.
Independent laboratory research: BIOL 4910 – Undergraduate Research in Biology allows students to conduct an independent laboratory investigation with a Georgia State Biology faculty mentor. Students can work in grant-funded research laboratories and gain experience with field and laboratory techniques.
Group experimental projects: BIOL 4905 – Theme-Based Biology Laboratory has students work in small groups to develop biological hypotheses, design experiments, conduct the experiments, and analyze their results.
Internships: The Biology Internship Program offers Professional, Research, Instructional, and Medical internship tracks. BIOL 4915 provides collaborative internship training, while BIOL 4916 provides hands-on experience involving biology-related knowledge and skills.
Community-based experience: The Bio-Bus is a mobile teaching laboratory through which Biology students can participate in science outreach at primary and secondary schools throughout metro Atlanta.
Specialized biotechnology facilities: The Biology Advanced Biotechnology Core provides Cell, Protein, and DNA core facilities with analytical and quantitative tools for molecular research.
Imaging facilities: The Imaging Core provides advanced biological imaging capabilities, including laser-scanning confocal microscopy, biological light microscopy, and electron microscopy.
Biomedical research facilities: Students pursuing relevant research can benefit from the Institute for Biomedical Sciences’ facilities, including Animal Resources, Germ-Free Animal, Transgenic and Gene Targeting, and Histopathology Core facilities.
Research institutes and centers: Biology students can engage with interdisciplinary areas such as the Molecular Basis of Disease program and Center for Neuromics, which applies informatics and computational approaches to nervous-system research.
Research presentation: Undergraduate research projects can be presented at the Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference (GSURC), giving students an opportunity to showcase their work in an interdisciplinary setting.
Atlanta research environment: Georgia State highlights nearby research institutions including the Centers for Disease Control, Emory, Georgia Tech, and Morehouse School of Medicine, creating a strong life-sciences environment around the university.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Biology at Georgia State University provides a flexible foundation for careers across laboratory science, environmental science, public health, biotechnology, and biomedical research. The university also reports that biology graduates continue into professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, public health, and physician assistant programs, as well as master’s and doctoral study.

Career Opportunities: Graduates can pursue roles such as biological technician, laboratory/research assistant, microbiology technician, environmental scientist, or quality-control professional, depending on their concentration and additional experience or qualifications.

Career Services: Georgia State’s Panther Career PATH provides undergraduate students with career advising, workshops, and tools including Handshake and VMock, while helping students build career readiness from their first year through graduation.
Internships and experience: The Biology Department offers internship opportunities in Atlanta and throughout the country, with internships capable of providing academic credit and practical experience. Students can also undertake undergraduate research through BIOL 4910 and course-based research experiences.
Employment and salary information: Georgia State’s official Biology B.S. page does not publish a program-specific employment rate or graduate salary figure. The university’s Biology Pathway page states that entry-level biology-related positions typically start around $45,000–$70,000+ annually, depending on the position and location.
University–industry partnerships: Georgia State’s Institute for Biomedical Sciences works with biotech and pharmaceutical companies and lists industry partners including Amgen, Beams Biotech, Polygene AG, and TOBICO Co. Ltd. The institute also collaborates with organizations such as the CDC and Emory University on biomedical research.
Industry-focused preparation: Biology students can add the Quality Assurance in Life Science Industries Certificate, developed by the Department of Biology, Neuroscience Institute, and Institute for Biomedical Health with Pathway for Patient Health. It includes industry mentorship and access to a job portal, providing an additional route into life-science industry careers.
Research and graduation outcomes: Biology students can participate in the Program for Undergraduate Research in the Life Sciences, faculty research laboratories, and the Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference. The department identifies opportunities spanning laboratory research, field studies, government organizations, industry, education, and professional schools.
Long-term accreditation value: Georgia State University maintains institutional accreditation oversight through its academic affairs and accreditation processes; the official Biology B.S. materials do not state a separate professional accreditation specific to the Biology degree.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biology, students can progress into Georgia State’s B.S./M.S. in Biology pathway, which allows qualified students to combine undergraduate and graduate study and complete both degrees in as little as five years. Students can also pursue the B.S./M.S. in Health Sciences, including the Nutrition option, or continue to graduate study such as an M.S. or Ph.D. in biological sciences. The university also identifies medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, public health, physician assistant, and other professional schools as progression routes for Biology graduates.