BS in Integrative Biology

For the BS in Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, experiential learning is built around active laboratory and field-based study, research, and interdisciplinary biological investigation. Students develop practical skills through laboratory and/or field components, while the curriculum exposes them to areas ranging from ecology and evolution to physiology, genetics, and modern genome-editing techniques. The School of Integrative Biology also gives undergraduates opportunities to work directly with faculty researchers and contribute to ongoing or independent research projects.

Research & Practical Experience: Students can move from introductory research into supervised and independent projects, gaining experience with experimental methods, scientific literature, data collection, analysis, and communicating research findings:

• IB 290 – Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Integrative Biology: Students work in small groups within a research laboratory, learn research skills from faculty, participate in seminars, and engage with primary research literature.
• IB 390 – Undergraduate Research Experience: Students participate in laboratory and/or field research under faculty supervision and contribute to ongoing research projects.
• IB 490 – Independent Study: Students design and complete an independent research project under faculty supervision, producing a research report, poster, or presentation.
• Faculty Research Laboratories: Undergraduates can work in laboratories across the School's Entomology, Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, and Plant Biology departments, as well as with researchers in other Illinois departments.
• Laboratory & Field Components: The BS requires advanced coursework that includes at least one course with a laboratory and/or field component, giving students direct practical experience beyond classroom study.
• Modern Biological Techniques: The program develops laboratory skills ranging from tallgrass prairie restoration to modern genome-editing techniques, connecting biological concepts with contemporary research methods.
• Field Research: IB 390 can specifically involve field research, while IB's broader experiential-learning opportunities allow students to collect biological data in the field as part of faculty research.
• Tropical Forest Ecology in Panama: IB 496 Tropical Forest Ecology in Panama provides an international field-based learning option, allowing students to earn Illinois credit while studying biology outside the United States.
• Study Abroad: IB students can participate in programs such as IB in Vienna and IB 496 Tropical Forest Ecology in Panama, with Illinois credit that can count toward the major.
• Research Presentation: Students pursuing research distinction can present their work through a written thesis and oral or poster presentation, giving them experience communicating scientific findings.
• Research Facilities: Life Sciences research and teaching operations 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.
• Biological Research Institutes: Students can encounter research connected to the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, including work involving genomics, microbial systems, evolution, and biological integration.
• Research Funding & Summer Experience: SIB supports undergraduate research through opportunities such as the Spyros Kavouras Summer Research Award, Mulroy Summer Internship, and other research awards that support full-time summer research experiences.
• Digital/Computational Skills: Students can pursue the Computational Science and Engineering Certificate, where IB 490 research may be used when the project contains sufficient computational work and applies computational skills to real problems. 

The BS in Integrative Biology gives students interdisciplinary training across biological systems, from molecules to global ecosystems, while developing laboratory, quantitative, research, and scientific communication skills. It suits students interested in healthcare, biotechnology, conservation, environmental science, wildlife management, genetic counseling, or biological research, with coursework spanning genomics, evolution, anatomy, physiology, ecology, behavior, molecular biology, and mathematical modeling.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their biological and scientific foundations through IB 150 – Organismal & Evolutionary Biol and MCB 150 – Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life, alongside general chemistry, chemistry laboratory work, calculus or composition, and language study. This year introduces students to organismal biology, evolution, molecular and cellular processes, and the quantitative skills needed for more advanced biological study.

Second Year: Students move into more specialized biological concepts through IB 203 – Ecology, IB 204 – Genetics, and IB 202 – Physiology, while also studying IB 302 – Evolution, organic chemistry, and STAT 212 – Biostatistics. The combination develops understanding of ecosystems, heredity, organismal function, evolutionary processes, and biological data analysis.

Third Year: Students begin concentrating more heavily on advanced Integrative Biology coursework while completing physics through PHYS 101 – College Physics: Mech & Heat and PHYS 102 – College Physics: E&M & Modern, or the corresponding University Physics sequence. Advanced IB electives allow students to explore areas such as Evolution and Human Health, Marine Biology, Animal Behavior, Genomics and Human Health, Methods in Molecular Genetics and Genomics, and Conservation Biology.

Fourth Year: Students complete advanced IB courses and electives, allowing them to tailor their studies toward areas such as organismal and evolutionary biology, behavior and ecology, environmental science, anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, and genomics. Options include courses such as IB 442 – Evolution of Infectious Disease, IB 451 – Conservation Biology, IB 465 – Methods in Molecular Genetics and Genomics, and MCB 300 – Microbiology, providing opportunities to connect biological theory with research and real-world applications.

Focus Areas: Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, Behavior Ecology and the Environment, Integrative Anatomy Physiology and Molecular Biology, Genomics, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Evolution, Human Health, Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Biological Modeling.

Learning Outcomes: Scientific inquiry, biological knowledge, predictive modeling, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, scientific communication, data analysis, collaboration, interdisciplinary problem-solving, ethical scientific practice.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Not stated for the BS in Integrative Biology on the official University of Illinois program page. The program instead provides preparation for health professions, graduate study, research, biotechnology, environmental science, conservation, and other biology-related careers.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Not stated on the official University of Illinois Integrative Biology pages. The university does highlight career preparation through career mentoring, alumni connections, research opportunities, pre-health preparation, and career-development resources for Integrative Biology students.