Bachelor in Biology, Health, and Society (Major)

The Biology, Health, and Society major at the University of Michigan gives students opportunities to take their learning beyond lectures through laboratory classes, independent research, and field-based study. Students can work with modern biological equipment and explore research areas ranging from microbiology and biochemistry to animal physiology and plant biology. The program also provides opportunities to work with faculty researchers and gain practical experience that can support future careers or postgraduate study:

• Laboratory experience: Students can take laboratory-based courses such as BIOLOGY 207 Introductory Microbiology, BIOLOGY 226 Animal Physiology Laboratory, BIOLOGY 252 Chordate Anatomy/Phylogeny, BIOLOGY 255 Plant Diversity, and BIOLOGY 288 Animal Diversity.

• Independent research: Students can complete approved EEB 300/400 or MCDB 300/400 Independent Research under faculty supervision, giving them the chance to contribute to real biological research.

• Undergraduate research opportunities: The University of Michigan's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) supports first- and second-year students in finding research opportunities and working with faculty.

• Research areas: Students can explore research in areas including animal physiology, neurobiology, biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, microbiology, and plant molecular biology.

• Modern laboratory facilities: Biology teaching and research facilities include electron microscopes, controlled-environment rooms, analytical and preparative centrifuges, spectrophotometers, and other equipment used for biological research.

• Field-based learning: Students can take courses with field components, including EEB 381 General Ecology at the University of Michigan Biological Station, where they can study biological systems in a field environment.

• Interdisciplinary learning: The major combines biological science with health and social perspectives, allowing students to explore areas such as public health, nutrition, environmental health, health systems, and the social dimensions of health.

The Biology, Health, and Society major at the University of Michigan gives students the flexibility to build careers in healthcare, public health, research, education, and other science-related fields. It is especially useful for students planning to enter professional or graduate school, while also preparing them for roles such as Health Program Coordinator, Research Assistant, Public Health Assistant, and Healthcare Services Coordinator:

• Career support: Students can use the LSA Opportunity Hub for career coaching, internship and job opportunities, employer events, networking, mentoring, résumé guidance, interview preparation, and support with graduate-school planning.

• Employment outcomes: Across LSA, 96% of graduates are employed or continue to graduate or professional school, while 77% of LSA students have internship experience. These are LSA-wide figures rather than outcomes specific to the Biology, Health, and Society major.

• Recent graduate outcomes: More than 78% of the 2025 LSA graduating class accepted a job offer or continued into graduate school within six months. Medicine, law, social work, business, computer science, dentistry, and public health were among the areas represented in graduates' further education and career pathways.

• Employer connections: Students can connect with employers through the LSA Opportunity Hub's internships, recruitment events, networking activities, and career programs. Recent LSA employers include Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Amazon, Epic, Ford Motor Company, Trinity Health, Microsoft, Google, Deloitte, and the National Institutes of Health. These are LSA-wide employers and are not guaranteed employers for BHS graduates.

• Internship opportunities: LSA internships allow students to apply their academic knowledge in professional environments, develop workplace skills, explore potential careers, build professional networks, and connect with mentors.

• Salary information: The University of Michigan's official sources reviewed do not provide a salary figure specifically for Biology, Health, and Society graduates. Therefore, a program-specific salary figure should not be presented as an official outcome.

• Long-term value: The major provides a broad foundation in biology, health, and society rather than preparing students for one specific profession. This flexibility is valuable for students considering professional school, public health, healthcare, research, education, law, or other fields where scientific knowledge is important.

• Academic and career advising: Biology students can receive guidance from undergraduate advisors and faculty on course planning, research opportunities, Honors, graduate school, and career preparation. This support helps students shape their undergraduate experience around their longer-term academic and professional goals.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Biology, Health, and Society major, students can continue into graduate or professional education based on their career interests. The major is particularly suitable for students preparing for health-related professional schools, while other pathways can include postgraduate study in public health, biological sciences, education, law, research, and other health-related disciplines. Students who gain undergraduate research experience can also use that background when progressing toward advanced study and research-focused careers.