BA in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Iowa State University

Program Overview

The B.A. in Biology at Iowa State University provides a broad education across modern biology, giving students the opportunity to explore biological science while learning from faculty involved in research and teaching. It suits students interested in areas such as molecular biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, microbiology, human biology and other life-science fields.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their foundation through courses such as BIOL 211 Principles of Biology I, BIOL 211L Principles of Biology Laboratory I, and BIOL 212 Principles of Biology II. Chemistry, mathematics and general education coursework complement the introductory biology sequence.

Year 2: Students progress into BIOL 312 Ecology, BIOL 313 Principles of Genetics, and BIOL 313L Genetics Laboratory, developing their understanding of biological diversity, heredity and laboratory methods. Additional chemistry or biochemistry and advanced biology coursework strengthen the scientific foundation.

Year 3: Students advance into BIOL 314 Principles of Molecular Cell Biology and BIOL 315 Biological Evolution, exploring cellular processes and evolutionary relationships. Advanced biology coursework allows students to begin developing a more focused academic pathway.

Year 4: Students complete additional advanced biology coursework and electives, allowing them to tailor their studies toward their academic and career interests. The broad biology curriculum can support progression toward graduate study, research and other life-science pathways.

Focus areas: Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Human Biology, Plant Biology, Animal Biology and Biomedical Sciences.

Learning outcomes: Students develop broad knowledge of modern biology, laboratory skills, scientific reasoning and the ability to apply biological concepts across different areas of the life sciences.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Not stated: The official Iowa State Biology program information does not identify a specific professional accreditation for the B.A. in Biology.

Reputation (employability rankings): Not stated: The official program information does not publish a program-specific QS, Guardian or other employability ranking. Iowa State describes its biology program as providing broad education in modern biology and notes access to more than 200 biology faculty members.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the B.A. in Biology at Iowa State University can build practical skills through laboratory and field-based research, internships, independent study, and hands-on field trips. The Biology Program connects students with research opportunities across the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) and Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology (GDCB), with more than 50 Biology faculty members and numerous research laboratories. Biology-related research can count toward degree requirements through BIOL 2990/4990, allowing students to work on laboratory or field research projects and present their findings through written, oral, or poster presentations.

Key experiential opportunities include:

Research laboratories: Students can join faculty research laboratories in areas such as ecology, evolution, organismal biology, genetics, development, and cell biology, with research opportunities available across Iowa State's biological sciences community.
BIOL 2990/4990: Students can receive academic credit for supervised or more independent biological research, working on an actual laboratory or field research project rather than routine laboratory tasks.
Research presentations: Undergraduate researchers can present their work through written reports, oral presentations, posters, and professional conferences, developing scientific communication and presentation skills.
Internships: Biology students can complete biology-focused internships through BIOL 4940 Biology Internship, with opportunities potentially available through government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, laboratories, museums, zoos, and other organizations.
Digital research output: The BIOL 4940 internship experience can include creating an electronic poster, while two-credit internships additionally involve preparing a research paper related to the experience.
Field trips: BIOL 3930 North American Field Trips in Biology and BIOL 3940 International Field Trips in Biology provide hands-on biological learning outside the classroom and can count toward advanced Biology coursework. Recent opportunities have included marine biology, the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, Honduras, and Spain.
Summer field stations: Students can take courses through summer biological field stations and transfer approved coursework to Iowa State as BIOL 4810 Summer Field Studies, gaining experience studying organisms and ecosystems in different environments.
Cooperative education: The Biology curriculum includes BIOL 4980 Cooperative Education for students participating in approved cooperative education work periods.
Career and internship resources: Students can use CyHire, career fairs, and Iowa State Career Services through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to identify employment and internship opportunities.
Biological Sciences Club: Students can participate in the Biological Sciences Club for networking with other Biology majors and developing connections beyond coursework.
Research infrastructure: Iowa State's biological sciences community includes more than 200 faculty members across the life sciences, giving Biology students access to a broad research environment and opportunities to participate in faculty-led projects.
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory: Students can access Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, a biological field station on West Lake Okoboji where students can conduct summer research or take courses.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.A. in Biology at Iowa State University gives graduates a broad biological-sciences foundation that can lead directly to laboratory, research, environmental and public-facing roles, while also providing preparation for graduate and professional schools. Students can tailor their studies through areas such as Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biodiversity and Evolution, Ecology and Conservation, Human Medicine/Pre-Med, and Veterinary Medicine/Pre-Vet.

Career roles: Laboratory Technician, Research Assistant, Environmental Biologist, Conservation Biologist.

Career support and opportunities: Iowa State provides dedicated services and experiential opportunities to help biology graduates move toward employment or further study:

Career Services: LAS Career Services supports students with résumé/CV and cover-letter preparation, job and internship searches, interview preparation, and evaluation and negotiation of job offers.
Career platforms: CyHire provides full-time and internship opportunities, résumé submission, interviews, career-fair information and employer information sessions.
Career fairs: Biology students can participate in the People to People Career Fair, Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Day, and Business, Industry and Technology Career Fair.
Research experience: More than 50 faculty members across the two departments involved in the Biology Program have research labs, giving undergraduates opportunities to join faculty research and earn biology credit through BIOL 2990 or BIOL 4990.
Internships: Biology-related internships with government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses can count toward advanced biology credit through BIOL 4940.
Employment outcomes: Among CALS Biology bachelor's graduates in summer 2023–spring 2024, 42 were employed and 32 continued their education; 38 of the employed graduates were in major-related employment.
Graduate destinations: The same cohort continued to institutions including Iowa State University, University of Iowa, Purdue University, University of Minnesota, University of Louisville and others.
Salary information: Iowa State's 2023–24 salary survey for biological sciences reports an average major salary of $44,126, with reported salaries ranging from $12,000 to $90,000 across the 145 reported graduates; individual biology-related roles included an average of $52,010 for Biologists and $44,070 for Lab/Research Technicians.
Industry connections: Recent CALS Biology graduates have entered organizations including Corteva Agriscience, Cargill, Elanco Animal Health, USDA, USDA-ARS, National Park Service, Pace Analytical Services, UL Solutions and University of Chicago Medicine.
Accreditation value: Iowa State University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with accreditation reaffirmed through the 2035–2036 academic year. The official specialized-accreditation list does not identify a separate specialized accreditation for the Biology major, so no program-specific professional accreditation should be assumed.
Graduation outcomes: Biology graduates can enter laboratory and research employment or use the bachelor's degree as preparation for professional programs such as medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy and veterinary medicine.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.A. in Biology, students can progress to graduate programs and professional schools. Iowa State's official career-outcomes database records Biology graduates continuing into Biomedical Sciences (M.S.), Biology (M.S.), Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Dental Surgery (DDS), Medical (MD/DO), Pharmacy (PharmD), Optometry (OD) and Teaching (MAT) programs.