Biology B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Syracuse University

Program Overview

The Biology B.S. at Syracuse University provides a rigorous foundation in biological sciences, exploring life from molecular and cellular processes through organisms, communities, and ecosystems, while allowing students to specialize through one of five tracks. It is particularly suited to students planning graduate study or health professions such as medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine, with opportunities to gain research and internship experience alongside their coursework.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their foundation through BIO 121 General Biology I and BIO 122 General Biology I Laboratory, studying life chemistry, cell structure and function, photosynthesis, respiration, genetics, and evolution while applying concepts through inquiry-based laboratory work. They continue with introductory science and mathematics coursework that builds the foundation required for later biology, chemistry, and quantitative study.

Year 2: Students complete BIO 123 General Biology II and BIO 124 General Biology II Laboratory, expanding their understanding to biodiversity, plant structure and function, comparative animal anatomy, ecology, and evolution. BIO 224 Integrative Biology Laboratory then develops practical biological research skills, while BIO 322 Cell and Molecular Biology introduces more advanced study of cellular and molecular processes.

Year 3: Students move into upper-division biology and begin developing deeper expertise within their selected B.S. track: Biological Sciences; Ecology and Environmental Science; Genetics, Genomics, and Evolution; Integrative and Biomedical Sciences; or Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Coursework becomes increasingly specialized, with students combining track requirements, biology electives, and laboratory courses to build advanced knowledge and research skills.

Year 4: Students complete the remaining upper-division requirements and laboratory coursework within their chosen track, using electives to develop a more focused area of biological expertise. Opportunities for independent research and/or internships can complement the final stage of the degree, with Syracuse reporting that more than 60% of its undergraduate biology students participate in research or internships.

Focus areas

Biological Sciences; Ecology and Environmental Science; Genetics, Genomics, and Evolution; Integrative and Biomedical Sciences; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.

Learning outcomes

Students learn to recognize and distinguish biological theories, concepts, and principles; analyze and synthesize advanced biological concepts; apply biological research methods and the nature and practice of science; communicate and collaborate effectively; apply quantitative reasoning to biological problems; and understand relationships between science and society.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Syracuse University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); the university does not state a separate specialized professional accreditation for the Biology B.S. on the official program page.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Syracuse University identifies itself as an R1 research university, but an official Syracuse source does not publish a specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for the Biology B.S.; therefore, no program-specific ranking is stated here.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Biology B.S. at Syracuse University gain practical experience through laboratory courses, independent research, internships, fieldwork, and specialized biological facilities. The program’s five tracks include Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; Genetics, Genomics, and Evolution; Integrative and Biomedical Sciences; Ecology and Environmental Science; and Biological Sciences, allowing students to build hands-on experience around their interests. More than 60% of biology majors participate in research or internships during the academic year and/or summer.

Students can develop their practical and research skills through these program-specific opportunities:

Laboratory coursework: The B.S. requires BIO 224 Integrative Biology Laboratory and six additional upper-division laboratory credits. Depending on the selected track, students can pursue courses such as Molecular Biology Laboratory, which covers DNA isolation, restriction-enzyme cleavage, DNA cloning, DNA-library screening, and in-vitro mutagenesis.
Undergraduate research: Students can work directly with Biology faculty in research laboratories, with research areas including cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology, developmental biology, genetics, genomics and epigenetics, microbiology, neuroscience, ecology and plant biology. Research can begin as early as the sophomore year and may be taken for academic credit through BIO 460: Research in Biology.
Research distinction: Students pursuing intensive laboratory research can complete the Distinction in Biology program, which includes BIO 460 research, a senior thesis, four semesters of Junior & Senior Thesis Seminar, and a poster or oral presentation of their research.
Biological imaging: The Blatt BioImaging Center provides access to advanced microscopy facilities, including confocal microscopes and high-resolution bright-field imaging systems for research involving cells, organoids, and whole organisms.
Greenhouses and growth chambers: The Life Sciences Complex includes controlled greenhouse facilities with independently controlled rooms, including spaces for studying insects and plants, along with growth chambers offering controlled temperature, humidity, lighting, and other environmental conditions.
Fieldwork: Biology students have opportunities to conduct fieldwork in Central New York and other locations, giving students practical exposure to ecological and organismal research beyond the classroom.
GIS and digital tools: The Syracuse University Libraries GIS laboratory provides ESRI ArcView and ArcGIS software, along with spatial-analysis and imaging software, digitizers, scanners, and large-format plotters. ESRI software is also available to Biology faculty and students on PC.
Study-abroad field experience: The Marine Ecology Seminar in Madrid gives biology students a research-focused experience involving Spain’s coastal and marine ecosystems, including travel along the Spanish coast and comparison of coastal-management practices in Europe and North Africa.
External research facilities: Students can extend their research experience beyond campus through opportunities at SUNY Upstate Medical University and other nearby research facilities.
Research library resources: Syracuse University Libraries maintain dedicated resources for biology and the life sciences, supporting students and faculty conducting biological research.
Undergraduate research conference: Students conducting research can present their work through Syracuse University’s annual Undergraduate Research Conference, providing an opportunity to communicate scientific findings to a wider academic audience.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biology B.S. at Syracuse University is designed particularly for students planning graduate study in biological sciences or professional health programs such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. Graduates can also move directly into industry, government, medical, environmental, and research settings, with the university highlighting opportunities across academia, industry, governmental agencies, and other professional environments.

Career opportunities: Biology graduates may pursue roles such as biological research assistant, laboratory technician, environmental scientist, or biological/biotechnology industry professional, depending on their specialization and experience.

Career Services: Syracuse provides career advising and field-specific career resources through its College of Arts and Sciences, while Handshake connects students with jobs, internships, employers, recruiting events, and workshops.
Research and internships: More than 60% of undergraduate students in the Department of Biology participate in research or internships. Students can undertake faculty research, receive academic credit through BIO 460: Research in Biology, and pursue research opportunities at nearby Upstate Medical University and other research facilities.
Employment statistics and salary: Syracuse University publishes university-wide career-outcome information, including outcomes for the Classes of 2021–2025 and reported starting-salary information for the Class of 2025; a Biology B.S.-specific employment rate or salary figure is not stated on the official Biology program pages.
University–research partnerships: Biology students can benefit from Syracuse's collaborative research environment with SUNY Upstate Medical University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Biology research groups also collaborate with researchers at neighboring institutions through networks such as the SU Microbial Biology Network.
Industry connections: Syracuse researchers collaborate with biotech scientists, and university research has included a partnership involving Capra Biosciences, ATCC, and other institutions on yeast engineering and biomanufacturing research.
Accreditation value: Syracuse University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor. This provides institutional quality assurance for the university and its degrees; the Biology B.S. is not identified as having a separate specialized professional accreditation on the official program pages.
Graduation outcomes: The university reports that Biology graduates progress into careers in academia, industry, governmental agencies, medical settings, and environmental education, while the B.S. specifically prepares students for specialized graduate programs and professional schools.
Research distinction: Students interested in research can pursue the Distinction in Biology program, while undergraduate research can culminate in presentations at Syracuse's annual Undergraduate Research Conference.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Biology B.S., students can progress to graduate programs in biological sciences and related life-science fields, or apply to professional programs such as medical, dental, and veterinary school. Syracuse also offers an internal pathway toward advanced biotechnology study, including the M.S. in Biotechnology/MBA dual degree, which combines biotechnology and business and prepares students for areas such as R&D, new-product development, business development, biotech sales, and entrepreneurship.