Bachelor of Science in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Oklahoma

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Oklahoma provides a broad foundation in biological science while allowing students to explore areas including evolution and organismal biology, integrative biological systems, microbiology, and molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. It is suited to students interested in science, medicine, health, environmental science, research, and related careers, while also providing preparation for graduate and professional study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with foundational biology, mathematics, chemistry, writing, history, and social science. Core biology study includes BIOL 1124 – Introductory Biology: Molecules, Cells, & Physiology and BIOL 1134 – Introductory Biology: Evolution, Ecology, & Diversity, alongside CHEM 1315 – General Chemistry and calculus/precalculus coursework.

Year 2: The curriculum develops stronger scientific foundations through continued chemistry and physics together with intermediate biology. Students take CHEM 1415 – General Chemistry, CHEM 3053 – Organic Chemistry, and BIOL 2013 – Evolution, while also completing PHYS 2414/2514 – General Physics and a statistics requirement.

Year 3: Students move into upper-division biological sciences and begin developing greater specialization through major-group requirements. Key coursework includes BIOL 3333 – Genetics, CHEM 3153 – Organic Chemistry or CHEM 3653 – Biochemistry, CHEM 3152 – Organic Chemistry Lab, and upper-division Biology courses with laboratory components.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced Biology coursework, upper-division laboratory study, electives, and integration of knowledge through the capstone. Students complete upper-division Biology major-group requirements and BIOL 4983 – Senior Seminar (Capstone), providing an opportunity to synthesize biological knowledge and prepare for further academic or professional pathways.

Focus areas: Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology; Integrative Biological Systems; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; Microbiology.

Learning outcomes: Students develop scientific reasoning, quantitative and analytical skills, information and technology literacy, communication skills, and the ability to apply scientific methods, evaluate evidence, compare explanations, and solve complex problems.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The University of Oklahoma is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which evaluates the university as a whole. OU's official programmatic-accreditation listing does not identify Biology as a separately programmatically accredited program, so a specific professional accreditation for the Biology B.S. is not stated.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): An official OU source specifically reporting a QS, Guardian, or other employability ranking for the Biology B.S. is not stated. OU does document that Biology faculty provide undergraduate research opportunities and that students can participate in research projects, including work that may lead to publications or conference presentations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the University of Oklahoma’s Bachelor of Science in Biology can build practical skills through laboratory-based coursework, undergraduate research, and field-oriented experiences that connect biological concepts with real scientific investigation. The program gives students access to research opportunities across biological sciences, with facilities and scientific resources supporting work in areas such as ecology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, and organismal biology. Students can strengthen their hands-on preparation through these program-related opportunities:

Undergraduate Research: Students can participate in faculty-led research and gain experience with scientific methods, laboratory techniques, data collection, analysis, and research communication.
Research Facilities: Biology students can engage with research facilities and laboratories associated with the OU Department of Biology, supporting work across areas including ecology and evolutionary biology, molecular and cellular biology, and organismal biology.
Field Experience: Biology coursework and research can provide opportunities to study organisms and biological systems in natural environments, developing practical skills in observation, sampling, field data collection, and ecological analysis.
Laboratory Experience: Biology students complete laboratory-based coursework that develops practical skills in experimental design, biological measurement, microscopy, data interpretation, and scientific reporting.
Faculty Research: Students can work with OU biology faculty whose research spans diverse biological disciplines, allowing them to connect classroom learning with active scientific research.
Scientific Resources: Students have access to university library resources and scientific literature that support biological research, coursework, and independent study.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Microbiology degree at the University of Iowa can prepare graduates for careers across government, hospitals, public health laboratories, research laboratories, and industrial laboratories, including food, dairy, chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology organizations. The program also provides a strong foundation for advanced study, with the Scholar Track specifically recommended for students interested in graduate training or careers as microbiologists.

Career roles: Environmental Microbiologist, Agricultural Microbiologist, Medical Microbiologist/Virologist, Research Laboratory Professional.

Career services: The Pomerantz Career Center provides resources to help students find internships and jobs, while Iowa also offers career-outcome and employer information through its undergraduate outcomes resources.
Employment outcomes: The University of Iowa reports a 96% placement rate for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates—employed, continuing education, or not seeking work—within six months of graduation. University-wide data report a $55,000 median salary within six months and $80,210 median income 10 years after graduation; these figures are for Iowa graduates overall, not specifically microbiology graduates.
Industry connections: Iowa's career-outcomes data identify employers hiring Iowa graduates, including University of Iowa Health Care, Integrated DNA Technologies, UnityPoint Health, Medtronic, and Procter & Gamble. The university's Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing also explicitly supports university-industry partnerships and the translation of research into industrial and clinical applications.
Research experience: Students can undertake Undergraduate Research in Microbiology (MICR:4161), while the Scholar Track includes advanced microbiology, laboratory, computational biology, and research opportunities.
Accreditation value: The University of Iowa has successfully completed its 2023 Assurance Review with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), providing institutional accreditation that supports the long-term academic recognition of an Iowa degree.
Graduation outcomes: Across the university, 59% of graduates reported having received job offers at graduation, while 71% completed an internship, practicum, research, or co-op experience; within six months, 96% were employed, continuing education, or not seeking employment.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can progress into advanced study in microbiology and related biomedical or life-science fields. The University of Iowa offers a Microbiology MS and PhD, while the BS Health Sciences Track also supports preparation for medical, dental, and pharmacy school; students pursuing the Scholar Track can build toward graduate research training.