Bachelors in Integrative Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Michigan State University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology at Michigan State University gives students a broad, integrated foundation in biology supported by chemistry, mathematics, and physics, making it well suited to students interested in understanding biological systems from cells and organisms through populations and ecosystems. The program combines core scientific study with laboratory and field experiences and prepares students for research careers, graduate study, professional schools, and employment across biology-related fields.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin by establishing their scientific foundation through subjects such as BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology, BS 162 Organismal and Population Biology, and laboratory courses including BS 171 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory and BS 172 Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory. Chemistry and mathematics are also introduced, with options including CEM 141 General Chemistry and MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I or MTH 132 Calculus I.

Year 2: The curriculum progresses into more advanced biological and chemical concepts, including CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I, CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II, and IBIO 341 Fundamental Genetics. Students begin developing a stronger understanding of heredity, molecular processes, and the chemical foundations of biological systems.

Year 3: Students expand their understanding from individual organisms to broader biological systems through courses such as IBIO 355 Ecology, IBIO 355L Ecology Laboratory, and IBIO 445 Evolution. Physics and additional mathematics or statistics also strengthen students' ability to understand biological processes quantitatively and investigate ecological and evolutionary questions.

Year 4: The final stage allows students to deepen their interests through upper-level Integrative Biology coursework and experiential study, with options including IBIO 425 Cells and Development, IBIO 483 Environmental Physiology, IBIO 490, IBIO 494, and IBIO 496. Students must also complete an experiential requirement involving 300-level or above laboratory bench work or field experience, helping connect classroom knowledge with practical biological research.

Focus areas

Animal biology, cell and developmental biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, microbiology, organismal biology, environmental physiology, comparative anatomy, and biological research.

Learning outcomes

Problem solving, critical thinking, scientific research, biological data interpretation, laboratory and field skills, scientific communication, and the ability to integrate knowledge across biological disciplines and related fields such as chemistry, mathematics, and physics.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Institutional accreditation: Michigan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; MSU states that individual programs may have additional professional accreditation where applicable. No separate professional accreditation is stated for the Integrative Biology BS in the official program description.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Graduate employability: MSU reports that it ranked No. 9 among U.S. public universities and No. 34 overall in the United States in the Global Employability University Ranking 2026 published by Times Higher Education; MSU also reports a 93% placement rate for bachelor's degree graduates within six months of graduation. These are university-wide figures, not specific to the Integrative Biology BS.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Integrative Biology at Michigan State University gives students practical experience across biochemistry, cellular biology, morphology, physiology, microbiology, ecology, and evolution, with laboratory experiences built into the curriculum. Students can extend this classroom learning through internships, independent research, field courses, and study abroad, developing scientific problem-solving, critical-thinking, communication, and research skills.

Students can build this practical experience through several program-specific opportunities:

Undergraduate research: Students can join MSU research laboratories, earn academic credit through independent study, develop their own research projects with faculty mentors, and present their work at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) or Mid-Michigan Symposium for Undergraduate Research Experiences (MID-SURE). Students can also publish research through ReCUR Magazine or collaborate on scientific journal manuscripts.
Research programs: The department connects students with the VENTURE Undergraduate Research Database, Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP), Charles Drew Science Scholars, REPID, and the Undergraduate Research Ambassadors Program.
Internships: The department reports that more than 30 students participate in internships each summer, with placements in zoos, public aquariums, environmental education centers, and research laboratories. Past internship locations have included the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Johns Hopkins University Genetics Laboratory, and Mayo Clinic.
Field-based learning: The W.K. Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) offers MSU undergraduates field-based courses, research opportunities, and paid internships, combining classroom instruction with hands-on field experience.
Field research funding: The Jeffrey Boettcher Fund for Field Study in Biology provides awards of $300–$1,000 to support undergraduate field study, independent study, or original research, including projects conducted at KBS.
Scientific instrumentation: The MSU Light Stable Isotope Core Facility provides access to stable-isotope analysis using isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), gas chromatography, elemental analysis, gas-bench systems, dual-inlet systems, and laser-ablation sample introduction, with applications including ecology, microbial ecology, environmental science, and soil science.
Research facilities: Integrative Biology research and teaching activities extend across the Natural Science Building, Giltner Hall, Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building, Environmental Toxicology Building, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, campus containment facility, and Inland Lakes Research Facility.
Hands-on opportunity database: Students can use the department's Hands On Opportunities Database to identify current internships, field courses, research experiences, and other experiential opportunities, including field programs in ecology, conservation biology, freshwater ecosystems, forest ecosystems, and climate-change observation and modeling.
Career and research platform: Handshake provides access to employment and internship opportunities, while the department also directs students toward research opportunities through its faculty, graduate students, and departmental resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Integrative Biology gives students a broad foundation across biochemistry, cellular biology, morphology, physiology, microbiology, ecology, and evolution, while building practical skills through laboratory work, internships, independent research, field courses, and study abroad. Graduates can enter research, conservation, environmental, wildlife, biotechnology, education, and related biological fields or use the degree as preparation for graduate and professional study.

Typical job roles: Research Scientist, Laboratory Technician, Wildlife Biologist, Environmental Consultant.

Career progression and opportunities:

Career advising: Integrative Biology advisors meet with students at least annually to discuss course selection, degree progress, academic success, career preparation, and related opportunities. The department also provides Handshake, MSU College of Natural Science job resources, professional organization listings, and internship resources.
Hands-on experience: Students are encouraged to build career-ready skills through internships, undergraduate research, education abroad, and field courses at biological field stations.
Employment opportunities: MSU identifies graduate employment across research laboratories, biotech companies, environmental consulting firms, universities, government research agencies, conservation agencies, museums, wildlife-management organizations, zoos, and aquariums.
Internship network: The department reports that its internship program has involved more than 700 students since 1998, with students gaining professional experience in zoos, public aquariums, environmental education centers, and research laboratories.
University–industry connections: Students can access internship opportunities with organizations including San Diego Zoo, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, The Nature Conservancy, Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab, DLZ environmental consulting, and the Jackson Laboratory.
Employment statistics and salary: MSU does not publish a program-specific employment rate or graduate salary figure for the B.S. in Integrative Biology on its official program pages, so no unsupported salary or employment figure is provided.
Accreditation value: Michigan State University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This provides an established institutional quality framework supporting the long-term recognition of the university's degree.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates have pursued careers as biology assistants, cytogenetic technicians, animal caretakers, park naturalists, museum collections managers, and teachers, as well as broader research, conservation, biotechnology, and environmental roles.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the M.S. in Integrative Biology or Ph.D. in Integrative Biology, with graduate research spanning areas such as ecology, evolution, conservation genomics, developmental biology, behavior, physiology, and systematics. MSU also offers a B.S./M.S. dual-degree pathway for eligible College of Natural Science students, while related graduate options include Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Genetics and Genome Sciences, Plant Biology, Environmental Science and Policy, and Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences.