Biology, B.S. in Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Georgia State University

Program Overview

The Biology, B.S. in Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology at Georgia State University is designed for students interested in understanding living organisms, their evolution, biological diversity, and interactions with their environments, while building a broad foundation in the life sciences. The four-year program combines core biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics with advanced study in areas such as animal biology, genetics, ecology and evolution, making it suitable for students preparing for scientific careers, environmental fields, professional schools or graduate study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIOL 2107K Principles of Biology I, which introduces scientific methods, cell chemistry, metabolism, genetics, ecology and evolution, alongside CHEM 1211K Principles of Chemistry I. BIOL 2108K Principles of Biology II then develops understanding of animal and plant biology, structure, physiology, ecology and evolutionary relationships.

Year 2: Students move into more focused biological study, including BIOL 3800 Molecular Cell Biology, while continuing supporting science requirements in chemistry, mathematics and physics. The curriculum also includes BIOL 3840 Animal Biology, which examines animal behavior, physiology, anatomy, phylogeny, evolution and ecology.

Year 3: Students develop deeper expertise in organismal and evolutionary science through courses such as BIOL 3900 Genetics, covering classical and molecular genetics, Mendelian inheritance and gene mapping, and BIOL 3850 Animal Biology Laboratory, where students investigate the comparative structure and function of representative animal groups. Students can also build their concentration through designated biology and allied-area coursework.

Year 4: Advanced study allows students to explore ecology, evolution and organismal biology in greater depth through courses such as BIOL 4045K General Ecology, which examines the distribution and abundance of organisms and their interactions, and BIOL 4076 Evolutionary Developmental Biology, which connects developmental biology with evolutionary processes and organismal diversity. The program also provides opportunities for internships and research-oriented experiences that can support progression into academia, industry, government or professional programs.

Focus areas:

Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology: The concentration focuses on organismal diversity, animal biology, ecology, genetics, evolutionary mechanisms and relationships between organisms and their environments.

Learning outcomes:

Scientific literacy: Students develop the ability to critically read peer-reviewed literature, interpret scientific data, apply scientific approaches and communicate biological concepts, while also developing professionalism and an awareness of scientific issues affecting society.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

Professional preparation: Georgia State states that Biology graduates are prepared for career options in environmental sciences, research science, public health sciences, forensic science, data analytics and bioinformatics, as well as admission to professional schools and graduate programs. A specific professional accreditation for the B.S. in Biology is not stated on the official program page.

Reputation (employability rankings):

Official ranking information: Georgia State University’s official Biology program page does not state a program-specific QS, Guardian or other employability ranking, so no ranking is provided here.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biology, B.S. concentration in Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology at Georgia State University gives students practical experience through laboratory-based biology courses, undergraduate research, internships, and research opportunities focused on organisms, evolution, ecology, and environmental questions. Students can participate in Georgia State’s Program for Undergraduate Research in the Life Sciences, work in faculty research laboratories, and develop research skills through Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), while the university’s Atlanta location also creates opportunities for field-related internships and community science activities.

The program’s experiential opportunities include:

Course-based research: Georgia State’s PURL (Program for Undergraduate Research in the Life Sciences) provides CURE laboratories where students conduct research under faculty guidance. Current and previous research topics have included microbial ecology, urban water quality, vertebrate development, metagenomics and microbes, and fermentation ecology, directly connecting laboratory work with ecological and organismal questions.
Current research experience: Fall 2026 CURE offerings include Genotyping Free-Living Amoeba, where students isolate, culture, identify and genotype free-living amoeba, and Molecular Evolution, which develops methods used in molecular evolution, molecular biology and protein-engineering research.
Faculty research laboratories: Students can earn academic credit by working in grant-funded faculty laboratories, where they learn field and laboratory techniques under the supervision of a principal investigator and graduate or postgraduate researchers.
Undergraduate research course: BIOL 4910: Undergraduate Research in Biology involves an independent laboratory investigation developed around a student’s interests and a Georgia State Biology instructor, providing a structured route into research.
Internships: The Biology department offers an internship program through which students can gain experience in their chosen biological field while receiving academic credit. The department specifically identifies internship opportunities connected with ecology, evolution, sustainability and marine sciences.
Community-based practical work: The Bio-Bus is a mobile teaching laboratory operated by the Biology Department that travels to primary and secondary schools throughout metro Atlanta, giving students an opportunity to participate in biology-focused community outreach.
Ecology and evolution research environment: Georgia State Biology supports research in areas including evolution, organismal biology, development and behavior, providing opportunities for students interested in how organisms evolve, develop and interact with their environments.
Research institutes and centers: Relevant interdisciplinary resources include the Center for Neuromics, which uses informatics and computational approaches to study the nervous system, the Language Research Center, a primate research facility associated with Georgia State, and the Molecular Basis of Disease program spanning Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Neuroscience, and Physics and Astronomy.
Specialized research focus: Georgia State’s Biology research community includes work on evolutionary processes, organismal biology, behavior, microbial ecology and environmental biology, allowing students to connect classroom concepts with active scientific research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can apply their biology training to roles such as environmental scientist, research scientist, laboratory professional, or public-sector biology professional. Georgia State also notes that Biology graduates pursue careers in environmental sciences, research, public health, government agencies, and further professional and graduate education.

Career and Employment Opportunities: The program connects academic preparation with several pathways after graduation:

Career Services: Georgia State’s University Career Services provides career counseling, resume support, interview preparation, professional headshots, career fairs, and access to Handshake for full-time, part-time, internship and co-op opportunities. Students can also use VMock for resume preparation and the university’s “What Can I Do With This Major?” career exploration resource.
Biology internships and research: The Biology Department specifically promotes internships as a way to gain field experience and academic credit. Students can also undertake BIOL 4910: Undergraduate Research in Biology, an independent laboratory investigation conducted with a Biology instructor. The department provides ecology, sustainability and marine-science internship resources for students in the Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology area.
Typical career roles: Environmental scientist, research scientist, laboratory professional, and public health or government science professional are among the pathways supported by the Biology degree. Georgia State specifically identifies environmental sciences, research science, public health sciences, data analytics and bioinformatics among its biology career areas, and notes government opportunities with organizations such as state and county health departments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Employment statistics and salary figures: Program-specific employment rates and salary figures for the Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology concentration are not stated on the official Georgia State Biology program page, so no unsupported salary or employment figures are provided.
University–industry connections: Georgia State provides direct employer access through Handshake, where more than 5,000 employers recruit for full-time, part-time, internship and co-op positions. University Career Services also organizes career and internship fairs where students can connect with employers recruiting across multiple industries.
Long-term accreditation value: Georgia State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), providing institutional accreditation for the university and supporting the recognized academic standing of the degree.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates may enter environmental and biological science careers, pursue government and public-sector positions, or continue their education. Georgia State reports that Biology graduates also gain admission to professional programs including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, law, public health and physician assistant programs, as well as master’s and doctoral programs in biology and related disciplines.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biology, students can continue into master’s or doctoral study in biology and related disciplines. Georgia State also provides pathways into professional education, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, public health and physician assistant programs; students interested in teaching biology at the K–12 level can pursue certification through the College of Education and Human Development.