Bachelor of Science in Biological Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Nebraska Lincoln

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln provides a broad, research-focused foundation spanning biological organization from molecules and cells through organisms, ecosystems, genetics, ecology, and evolution, with options to specialize through the Standard or Human Health and Disease pathway. It suits students interested in research, medicine, allied health, biotechnology, environmental science, or other life-science careers, combining core biology with chemistry, mathematics, physics, laboratory work, and advanced biological sciences.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with BIOS 100: Pathways to Success in the Biological Sciences Major, alongside LIFE 120/LIFE 120L: Fundamentals of Biology I and Laboratory and CHEM 109A/CHEM 109L: General Chemistry I and Laboratory. MATH 106: Calculus I establishes the quantitative foundation required for further scientific study.

Year 2: Students develop deeper biological and chemical knowledge through LIFE 121/LIFE 121L: Fundamentals of Biology II and Laboratory, CHEM 251/CHEM 253: Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory, and BIOS 201: General Genetics. BIOS 202: Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory adds direct laboratory experience with genetics and molecular/cellular biology.

Year 3: The curriculum progresses into higher-level scientific study with BIOS 207: Ecology and Evolution, PHYS 141: Physics for Life Sciences I, and PHYS 142: Physics for Life Sciences II, supported by biochemistry and upper-level biological sciences coursework. Students following the Human Health and Disease option can begin focusing on areas such as Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or Applications of Bioinformatics.

Year 4: Students complete advanced 300- and 400-level Biological Sciences courses, allowing them to tailor their studies toward areas such as cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, or human health and disease. The program also concludes with BIOS 99: Assessment of the Major, while research-focused students can pursue opportunities such as BIOS 498, BIOS 499: Undergraduate Thesis, or BIOS 499H: Honors Undergraduate Thesis.

Focus areas: Cell biology, molecular biology, organismal biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, human health and disease.

Learning outcomes: Students develop mastery across major biological subdisciplines, interpret and analyze scientific data, apply scientific methods to challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, infectious disease, cancer, human genetics, and biotechnology, and communicate knowledge gained through research, field experiences, or practicums.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is institutionally accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as part of the University of Nebraska’s unified accreditation status, supporting the recognized academic standing of the degree. The university states that specialized accreditation applies to programs where relevant; no separate specialized accreditation is stated for the Biological Sciences B.S. on the official program page.

Reputation (employability rankings): The university’s official Biological Sciences information highlights graduates progressing into employers and organizations including Labcorp, Celerion, Catalent, Neogen Geneseek, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, and Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, as well as graduate and professional programs at institutions including Princeton University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. UNL’s official Class of 2025 first-destination data reports that more than 71% of graduates secured employment or enrolled in continuing education within six months, with a $60,000 median starting salary across undergraduate graduates; these figures are university-wide and are not specific to Biological Sciences.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is designed to give students practical experience alongside strong biological foundations. Students complete dedicated laboratory courses in genetics, molecular and cellular biology, and can build additional hands-on experience through research, field study, and specialized biological facilities. The program also offers a Human Health and Disease option with laboratory-based courses such as human physiology and microbiology, while the School of Biological Sciences connects students with faculty research laboratories and experiential learning opportunities.

These program-specific opportunities include:

Laboratory training: Students complete Fundamentals of Biology I and II laboratories and Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory (BIOS 202) as core requirements, developing practical skills in biological experimentation and laboratory methods.
Advanced laboratory options: The Human Health and Disease option includes Human Physiology Laboratory and Microbiology Laboratory, while students can also study Molecular Biology or Applications of Bioinformatics.
Undergraduate research: The School of Biological Sciences provides access to faculty research laboratories, allowing students to become involved with active biological research areas.
Cedar Point Biological Station: This off-campus field research facility near Lake McConaughy and Ogallala, Nebraska, functions as an experiential classroom and offers hands-on summer courses, giving students direct field-research experience.
Beadle Center: The George W. Beadle Center for Genetics Research provides teaching and research space and houses the School of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology, Center for Plant Science Innovation, and other life-science research programs.
Biotechnology research tools: The Nebraska Center for Biotechnology provides core facilities in bioinformatics, cryo-electron microscopy, flow cytometry, microscopy, proteomics and metabolomics, and single-cell genomics.
Bioinformatics and computational tools: The Bioinformatics Core supports computational biology through Python, Perl, and R, as well as bioinformatics software, databases, and support for analyses using the Holland Computing Cluster.
Microscopy facilities: The Microscopy Core includes light and fluorescence microscopes, confocal laser-scanning microscopes, and electron microscopes, providing exposure to advanced biological imaging technologies.
Greenhouse research: The Beadle Center Greenhouses provide four main greenhouses, growth chambers, tissue-culture space, and controlled plant-growth environments used for teaching and research.
Experiential learning requirement: College of Arts and Sciences students must complete an Experiential Learning-designated course, with academic advisors and career coaches helping students identify opportunities relevant to their interests and goals.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln prepares graduates for careers across research, healthcare, biotechnology, environmental science, government, and industry, while also providing a foundation for graduate and professional education. Students can build career-ready experience through research, internships, field courses, and career coaching, with documented graduate roles including clinical research assistant, associate scientist, patient care technician, and zookeeper.

Career and Employment Opportunities:

Typical job roles: Clinical research assistant, associate scientist, biological laboratory professional, patient care technician.
Career services: Arts and Sciences career coaches provide one-to-one guidance on career exploration, internships, resumes, applications, interviews, and graduate-school preparation. Students also receive access to Handshake for searching and applying for internships, co-ops, jobs, and campus employment.
Employment statistics and salary: UNL reports that more than 71% of its Class of 2025 graduates were employed or enrolled in continuing education six months after graduation, with a $60,000 median starting salary across undergraduate graduates. For the broader Arts and Sciences category, UNL reported an average salary of $58,204 for graduates working 30 or more hours per week in 2023–24; a biology-specific salary figure is not stated.
University–industry connections: Biological Sciences students have completed internships with organizations including LI-COR Biosciences and the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, while reported graduate employment includes Catalent, Noah Medical, and Celerion.
Research and professional experience: Students can work with faculty on research projects, participate in the UCARE undergraduate research program, complete internships, study abroad, or undertake field experiences at Cedar Point Biological Station. The program specifically encourages students to gain research or internship experience alongside their academic studies.
Accreditation value: The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), providing institutional accreditation for the university; the Biological Sciences BS is not separately identified as holding a specialized professional accreditation on the official program information.
Graduation outcomes: Recent Biological Sciences graduates have progressed to a Master’s in Anatomy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at Princeton University, a Doctor of Medicine at UNMC, and a Doctor of Dentistry at the UNMC College of Dentistry.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Biological Sciences, students can continue into master's and doctoral programs in areas such as molecular biology, anatomy, and other biological sciences. The degree also supports progression into professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, physician assistant studies, and other health-related fields, as demonstrated by the graduate pathways reported by the School of Biological Sciences.