BS Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Program Overview

The BS Biology pathway at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign gives students a broad foundation in the life sciences before allowing them to develop their interests through Integrative Biology or Molecular & Cellular Biology. It suits students interested in understanding life from molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems, with study spanning biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, genetics, physiology, evolution, microbiology, and laboratory-based scientific investigation.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin with foundational biological and scientific study while exploring both branches of Illinois Biology. Typical coursework includes MCB 150 – Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life, which introduces cellular structure and molecular processes, and IB 150 – Organismal & Evolutionary Biology, alongside chemistry, mathematics, and general education requirements. Students interested in Molecular & Cellular Biology generally declare that major before their second year.

Second Year: Students develop stronger scientific and analytical foundations through subjects such as MCB 250 – Molecular Genetics, MCB 251 – Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology, MCB 252 – Cells, Tissues & Development, and STAT 212 – Biostatistics if following the Molecular & Cellular Biology route. Those choosing Integrative Biology progress into areas such as organismal biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, anatomy, and physiology.

Third Year: Coursework becomes increasingly advanced and specialized, allowing students to connect biological concepts with chemistry, physics, statistics, and research methods. In the MCB pathway, students take MCB 354 – Biochemical & Physiological Basis of Life and begin advanced MCB coursework, while Integrative Biology students can develop deeper expertise across biological scales and contemporary areas such as global change, human health, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration.

Fourth Year: Students complete upper-level coursework and can tailor their studies toward their academic and professional interests through advanced courses, laboratory experiences, research, electives, and related opportunities. The MCB curriculum offers advanced areas including microbiology, infection and immunity, genetics, neurobiology, physiology, cells and tissues, and developmental biology, while Integrative Biology emphasizes advanced interdisciplinary study and laboratory skills.

Focus Areas

Integrative Biology, Molecular & Cellular Biology, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, cellular biology, biochemistry, physiology, evolution, ecology, organismal biology, developmental biology, infection and immunity, neurobiology, biodiversity, and global change.

Learning Outcomes

Scientific knowledge, experimental design, critical thinking, quantitative analysis, laboratory skills, biological data interpretation, problem solving, written and oral communication, application of biological concepts, and the ability to examine biological systems across different levels of organization.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Professional accreditation: The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's official professional-licensure disclosures specifically identify Integrative Biology, BSLAS + Teaching Licensure and Molecular & Cellular Biology, BSLAS + Teaching Licensure among programs with licensure considerations; no separate professional accreditation is stated for the standard Biology/Integrative Biology or Molecular & Cellular Biology bachelor's pathway.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Biological Sciences: The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports its Biological Sciences graduate program ranked #12 nationally in its current university rankings information, providing an indication of the institution's strength in biological sciences.

Career relevance: Illinois identifies Biology graduates as prepared for pathways in healthcare, pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, environmental consulting, agricultural research, biodiversity research, medical products, and scientific research, depending on the chosen area of study and subsequent training.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign gives students opportunities to develop practical biological skills beyond lectures through undergraduate research, laboratory work, internships, field experiences, study abroad, and faculty-mentored projects. Students can work in research laboratories on topics ranging from cancer, infectious diseases, and climate change to organismal and evolutionary biology, while gaining experience with experimental work, field data collection, scientific communication, and research methods.

These opportunities allow students to turn classroom biology into hands-on experience:

Undergraduate Research: Biology students can join faculty-led research laboratories and contribute to projects involving cancer, climate change, infectious diseases, and other areas. Research may include collecting field data, conducting laboratory experiments, and assisting faculty, postdoctoral researchers, or graduate students.
Summer Research Internships: The School of Integrative Biology offers 10-week, 40-hour-per-week mentored summer research experiences in faculty laboratories through programs such as the SIB/iBio Summer Internship and Camp Family Undergraduate Research + iBio Summer Internship.
Research Training: Students can build professional research skills through opportunities covering research ethics, data management, scientific literacy, scientific communication, presentation, and research practices.
Internships & Experiential Learning: Illinois provides biology students with access to internship opportunities, career workshops, professional mentoring, and experiential-learning activities connected to their academic and career interests.
Field & Global Experiences: Integrative Biology students can receive support for fieldwork, scientific meetings, international biology courses, study abroad, and field expeditions, including travel funding of up to $500 or more depending on the program.
Laboratory Facilities: Life Sciences research and teaching activities are supported across facilities including Burrill Hall, Morrill Hall, Chemical & Life Sciences Laboratory Buildings B and C, Natural History Building, Shelford Vivarium, Roger Adams Laboratory, and Davenport Hall.
Course-Based Practical Learning: The biology curriculum begins with hands-on biological and scientific training, with students progressing through biology, chemistry, mathematics/statistics, and more advanced biological coursework.
Research & Academic Distinction: Students interested in deeper research can pursue Integrative Biology Honors, IB Merit, and Distinction in Research, providing structured opportunities to strengthen their undergraduate research profile.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS Biology program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign gives students a broad foundation for careers in research, healthcare, biotechnology, conservation, education, and government. Illinois reports that 91% of Integrative Biology graduates are employed or continuing their education, with graduates moving into employers and graduate schools including Northwestern Medicine, Carle Health, Medline Industries, Caltech, Harvard, and the University of Chicago.

Typical Job Roles: Research Assistant, Biologist, Laboratory Technician, Environmental Scientist.

Career Services & Employment Support:

Career Advising: Illinois Career Services provides students with career exploration, advising, employer connections, internships, job-search resources, and professional-development support.
Experiential Opportunities: Integrative Biology emphasizes experiential training and offers opportunities to develop research and practical skills through coursework and laboratory experiences.
Employer Connections: Illinois connects students with employers through its career programs and Illini Success network, supporting transitions into employment and further education.

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

Employment or Continuing Education: 91% of Integrative Biology graduates are employed or continuing education.
Employment: 34% are employed after graduation.
Graduate School: 56% continue into graduate education.
Average Starting Income: $46,496 annually. Illinois notes that these major-level figures are aggregated from the past three years and primarily rely on self-reported Illini Success data.
University-Wide Context: Among Illinois bachelor's graduates in 2023–24, 90% secured a first destination, with a $75,373 average salary and $75,000 median salary; these figures cover all bachelor's programs rather than Biology specifically.

University–Industry Connections: Biology graduates have moved into organizations including Northwestern Medicine, Carle Health, Medline Industries, Grassi Retina, Duly Health and Care, and American Conservation Experience, demonstrating pathways into healthcare, life sciences, research, and conservation.

Long-Term Accreditation Value: The University of Illinois does not state a separate professional accreditation for the BS Biology/Integrative Biology program on its official major page, so no specific program-level accreditation is claimed here.

Graduation Outcomes: Illinois reports 76% graduated within four years and 87% within six years for the relevant interest-area graduation data, while 95% returned for their second year.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS Biology, students can continue into graduate and professional education in areas such as biology, molecular and cellular biology, ecology and evolution, medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, and related life-science fields. Illinois offers an MS in Molecular & Cellular Biology and an MS in Integrative Biology, while its Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology graduate programs also accept students with bachelor's degrees in biology or closely related disciplines.