Bachelor of Science in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Miami

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biology at the University of Miami provides a rigorous foundation in biological science and is designed for students interested in medical, veterinary or dental school, biological research, conservation, environmental management, or teaching. Students build their knowledge through biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and laboratory study, with the option to specialize through Pre-Health, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB), or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) tracks.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIL 150 General Biology, BIL 151 General Biology Laboratory, BIL 160 Evolution and Biodiversity, and BIL 161 Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory. Alongside biology, they complete CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry, CHM 113 Chemistry Laboratory I, MTH 161 Calculus I, and writing courses, combining laboratory experience with quantitative and communication skills.

Year 2: Students move into more advanced biological and chemical concepts through courses such as BIL 250 Genetics, BIL 255 Cellular and Molecular Biology, BIL 320 Evolutionary Biology, and BIL 330 Ecology. Chemistry continues with CHM 222 Organic Reactions and Synthesis and CHM 206 Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory, while students also complete language, statistics or computer science, cognate and elective requirements.

Year 3: The curriculum develops deeper scientific understanding through BIL 250 Genetics, BIL 255 Cellular and Molecular Biology, or BIL 360 Comparative Physiology, together with BIL 320 Evolutionary Biology or BIL 330 Ecology. Students also undertake PHY 101 College Physics I, PHY 106 Physics Laboratory 1, and biology laboratory or field courses, strengthening their ability to apply biological concepts through experimental and field-based learning.

Year 4: Students complete advanced BIL electives, biology laboratory or field courses, and a biology Seminar in Biology (BIL 374, BIL 375, or BIL 402), while fulfilling remaining cognate and elective requirements. The program also requires at least one biology elective designated as a CAPSTONE, and students can use BIL 495, BIL 496, or BIL 497 Projects in Biology as project-based options.

Focus areas: Pre-Health; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB); Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB).

Learning outcomes: Students develop foundations in biological science alongside laboratory, quantitative, analytical and research-oriented skills, with advanced study available in areas such as genetics, cellular and molecular biology, ecology, evolution and physiology.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Program-specific professional accreditation not stated on the official University of Miami B.S. in Biology program page. The university instead describes the degree as preparation for medical, veterinary and dental schools, graduate programs, biological research, conservation, environmental management and teaching.

Reputation (employability rankings): Program-specific employability ranking not stated on the official B.S. in Biology page; no QS or Guardian program-specific employability figure is presented there.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biology at the University of Miami gives students substantial hands-on experience through required laboratory and field courses, advanced research-oriented laboratory work, and independent biology projects. Students can build practical skills in genetics, cellular and molecular biology, ecology, evolution and physiology, while courses such as Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory introduce current research techniques and applications. The program also offers direct pathways into faculty-supervised research through Projects in Biology, with opportunities to use the Department of Biology’s specialized laboratory facilities:

Biology laboratories: Students complete General Biology Laboratory, Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory, and additional upper-level biology laboratory or field courses as part of the B.S. curriculum.
Research techniques: BIL 256 – Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory provides laboratory experience using current research techniques and applications in cellular and molecular biology.
Core laboratory facilities: BIL 258 – Core Laboratory Techniques exposes students to the Department of Biology’s three principal core laboratory facilities for imaging, molecular biology and elemental analysis.
Independent research: BIL 495, BIL 496 and BIL 497 – Projects in Biology allow students to undertake research projects under the supervision of a Biology faculty member or an alternative faculty member approved by the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Research progression: Students interested in the B.S./M.S. pathway can begin research as early as their sophomore year, work with a faculty research mentor and present their findings at the University’s Research, Creativity and Innovation Forum.
Internship opportunity: BIL 281 – Undergraduate Learning Internship in Biology is an official Biology course option that provides an internship-based learning experience.
Field-based learning: The B.S. requires additional biology laboratory or field courses, allowing students to complement laboratory training with field-oriented biological study.
Research facilities beyond Biology: Biology students can take approved upper-level laboratory and field courses across related University departments, including Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Marine Science, Marine Biology and Ecology, and Neuroscience.
Marine research environment: The University’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science provides modern laboratory facilities, research programs involving undergraduate students, and access to specialized marine research infrastructure.
Marine life-science facilities: The Marine Technology and Life Sciences Seawater Complex supports research involving seawater and marine organisms, including facilities for holding, spawning and rearing marine organisms.
Digital/programming tools: The general B.S. requires students on relevant tracks to select a statistics or computer-language/programming course, including options such as Advanced Biostatistics and Computer Programming I; the official Biology curriculum does not specify a dedicated software package.
Group/project learning: The program includes Projects in Biology and seminar-based capstone experiences, while the official curriculum does not specifically state that these are required group projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biology at the University of Miami prepares students for careers and further professional training across biological research, healthcare, conservation, environmental management and teaching. The program emphasizes laboratory work, scientific research and critical thinking, while optional tracks in Pre-Health, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology allow students to align their studies with their interests.

Career roles: Biological Researcher, Laboratory/Research Technician, Conservation or Environmental Specialist, Biology Teacher. The university specifically identifies biological research, conservation and environmental management, and teaching among the pathways supported by the degree.
Career services: The Toppel Career Center provides career coaching, resume reviews, interview preparation, career and industry research, internship guidance, career fairs and employer networking. Its Handshake platform provides access to thousands of job and internship opportunities, including postings from employers across the country.
Employment statistics & salary: The University of Miami's official B.S. Biology pages do not publish a program-specific employment rate, graduate salary median or salary range; therefore, these figures are not stated rather than estimated.
Industry connections: Biology students can gain exposure to professional applications through BIL 389: Nonacademic Career in Biology, which brings speakers from local biotechnology companies, conservation organizations, science museums, the National Park Service and other organizations to discuss their careers.
Research progression: The department strongly encourages original laboratory and/or field research under faculty mentorship. Biology Honors students can complete a faculty-supervised research project for at least two semesters, write a senior thesis and present their research publicly.
Graduation outcomes: The B.S. is specifically recommended for medical, veterinary and dental school, master's and Ph.D. programs, biological research, conservation and environmental management, and teaching at the high-school or college level.
Accreditation value: The University of Miami is institutionally accredited, and its official policies recognize SACSCOC among the institutional accrediting agencies used for U.S. higher-education accreditation; the Biology B.S. page does not identify a separate program-specific professional accreditation.

Further Academic Progression: Students can progress directly into the University of Miami's 5-year B.S./M.S. in Biology, which combines the undergraduate degree with an additional year of graduate study, independent research and an M.S. thesis. The B.S. also provides preparation for master's and Ph.D. study in biology and for professional programs such as medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry.