Bachelor of Science in Biology and Mathematics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Northeastern University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biology and Mathematics at Northeastern University is a combined major designed for students who want to connect the life sciences with rigorous mathematical reasoning, quantitative analysis and computational approaches. Students study biology from molecules and cells through ecosystems and evolution while developing skills in calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, probability, statistics, bioinformatics, advanced genomics and biological imaging.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific and mathematical foundations through courses such as BIOL 1107/1108 Foundations of Biology and Lab and MATH 1341 Calculus 1 for Science and Engineering, alongside chemistry, physics and first-year writing requirements. The curriculum also introduces students to Northeastern through BIOL 1000 Biology at Northeastern and begins the preparation for experiential learning through EESC 2000 Professional Development for Co-op.

Year 2: Students move into more advanced quantitative and biological concepts, including BIOL 2299 Inquiries in Biological Sciences, BIOL 2301/2302 Genetics and Molecular Biology and Lab, and MATH 1342 Calculus 2 for Science and Engineering. They also progress into MATH 2321 Calculus 3 for Science and Engineering, MATH 1365 Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning, and chemistry courses that strengthen their scientific foundation.

Year 3: The program increasingly connects biology with mathematics through courses such as BIOL 2309 Biology Project Lab or BIOL 2407 Computational Project Lab, BIOL 3611/3612 Biochemistry and Lab, and MATH 2341 Differential Equations and Linear Algebra for Engineering. Students also develop quantitative skills through MATH 3081 Probability and Statistics and select organismal or evolutionary biology coursework such as Ecology, Microbial Evolution, Conservation Biology or Animal Behavior.

Year 4: Students bring the two disciplines together through advanced integrative options such as BINF 6310 Introduction to Bioinformatics, BIOL 5581 Biological Imaging, BIOL 5591 Advanced Genomics, EEMB 5130 Population Dynamics or MATH 4581 Statistics and Stochastic Processes. The degree concludes with an integrative capstone option such as BIOL 4701 Biology Capstone, BIOL 4900 Biology Research Capstone, MATH 4020 Research Capstone or MATH 4025 Applied Mathematics Capstone.

Focus areas: Bioinformatics, applied statistics, advanced genomics, biological imaging, genetics and molecular biology, biochemistry, ecology, evolution, mathematical reasoning, differential equations, linear algebra, probability and statistics.

Learning outcomes: Students develop biological knowledge across molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological levels while building mathematical reasoning, quantitative analysis, data interpretation and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills. The curriculum specifically satisfies NUpath outcomes including analyzing and using data, formal and quantitative reasoning, natural and designed-world engagement, advanced writing and capstone-based learning.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Biology and Mathematics BS is listed within Northeastern University's College of Science, but Northeastern's 2026–27 accreditation listing does not identify a separate professional accreditation for this program; the university itself is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Reputation (employability rankings): Northeastern's official program information emphasizes its strong connection to experiential learning and co-op opportunities, including opportunities associated with biotechnology companies, hospitals and research institutions in Boston, across the United States and internationally. The official program sources reviewed here do not state a specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for the Biology and Mathematics BS, so no ranking figure is provided.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biology and Mathematics at Northeastern University combines hands-on biological laboratory work with quantitative and computational training, allowing students to apply mathematics to biological questions. The curriculum includes Biology Project Lab or Computational Project Lab, laboratory components in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and physics, and integrative options such as Bioinformatics, Biological Imaging, Advanced Genomics, and Statistics. Northeastern’s signature co-op model also gives students opportunities to connect classroom learning with professional experience.

Students can build practical experience through:

Biology Project Lab: Students can complete BIOL 2309 Biology Project Lab, providing project-based laboratory experience in biological science.
Computational Project Lab: Students may choose BIOL 2407 Computational Project Lab, combining biological investigation with computational approaches.
Research Experience: The program offers research-focused capstone options including BIOL 4900 Biology Research Capstone, BIOL 4971 Junior/Senior Honors Project, and MATH 4020 Research Capstone.
Bioinformatics: Students can take BINF 6200 Bioinformatics Programming or BINF 6310 Introduction to Bioinformatics, applying computational methods to biological data.
Genomics & Imaging: BIOL 5591 Advanced Genomics and BIOL 5581 Biological Imaging provide opportunities to explore advanced biological research methods and data-driven biological analysis.
Programming & Data: Students can integrate CS 2000/CS 2001 Introduction to Program Design and Implementation or CS 2100/CS 2101 Program Design and Implementation 1, alongside probability and statistics coursework.
Laboratory Training: The curriculum includes dedicated labs for Foundations of Biology, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics, giving students repeated hands-on laboratory experience.
Co-op Preparation: EESC 2000 Professional Development for Co-op and MATH 3000 Co-op and Experiential Learning Reflection Seminar are built into the program's experiential-learning requirements.
Co-op Opportunities: Northeastern’s College of Science provides experiential opportunities through cooperative education work assignments, internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, and service learning; the Biology department also highlights co-op opportunities in Boston-area biotechnology companies, hospitals, and research institutions.
Mathematical Computing: Northeastern's mathematics courses use computers for visualization, modeling, and numerical approximation, supporting the computational side of the combined degree.
Capstone Projects: Students can complete either a biology, biology research, honors, research mathematics, or applied mathematics capstone, allowing them to apply their combined scientific and quantitative training to a substantial final project.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biology and Mathematics combines biological sciences with mathematical reasoning, statistics, differential equations, linear algebra, bioinformatics, genomics, and biological imaging. This interdisciplinary preparation can support careers in biological research, bioinformatics, biotechnology, data-focused life-science work, and further study in graduate or professional programs.

Career roles: Bioinformatics Analyst, Biological Research Assistant, Biostatistics/Data Analyst, Biotechnology Research Associate.
Career services: Northeastern’s cooperative education model connects students with academic advisors and co-op coordinators who support the process of exploring fields, preparing for opportunities, and transitioning into professional work. Northeastern reports more than 4,000 co-op employer partners across its network.
Employment outcomes: Northeastern reports that 97% of undergraduates are employed or in graduate school within nine months of graduation, while 58% receive job offers from previous co-op employers. These figures are university-wide undergraduate outcomes rather than outcomes specifically for Biology and Mathematics graduates.
Salary information: Northeastern's official co-op page states that its graduates have a 33% higher starting salary than the national average, but it does not publish a program-specific starting salary for the Biology and Mathematics BS.
Industry connections: Biology students can access co-op opportunities in the Boston-area biotechnology industry, hospitals, and research institutions, as well as opportunities elsewhere in the United States and internationally.
Program integration: The curriculum connects biology and mathematics through subjects such as Bioinformatics Programming, Introduction to Bioinformatics, Biological Imaging, and Advanced Genomics, supporting progression toward quantitative life-science careers.
Accreditation value: Not stated: The official Northeastern program and catalog pages do not identify a program-specific professional accreditation for the Biology and Mathematics BS, so no specific accreditation benefit is stated.
Graduation outcomes: Northeastern states that its biology programs prepare graduates to enter the job market directly or continue to graduate, medical, veterinary, dental, law, or business school, with career paths including industrial and clinical research, teaching, government agencies, and healthcare-related professions.
Research preparation: Students can complete a Biology Research Capstone, Junior/Senior Honors Project, Research Capstone, or Applied Mathematics Capstone, giving the degree a strong pathway into research-oriented careers or further study.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into Northeastern graduate programs such as the M.S. in Bioinformatics, M.S. in Biotechnology, M.S. in Cell and Gene Therapies, or the PhD in Biology. The mathematics side can also lead toward graduate study in mathematics, applied mathematics, or statistics, while the interdisciplinary biology preparation can support medical, dental, veterinary, or other professional-school pathways.