Bachelor of Arts in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Oregon

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology at the University of Oregon provides a broad, flexible foundation in the biological sciences, combining core study in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and advanced biological disciplines with opportunities to explore areas such as ecology and evolution, human biology, marine biology, molecular and cellular biology, and neuroscience and behavior. It suits students interested in understanding life from molecules to ecosystems while preparing for careers in research, biotechnology, healthcare, environmental fields, education, or further graduate and professional study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin by building their scientific and academic foundation through CH 150Z Preparatory Chemistry, MATH 111Z Precalculus I: Functions, CH 221Z General Chemistry I, and CH 227Z General Chemistry I Laboratory. They progress to CH 222Z General Chemistry II, CH 228Z General Chemistry II Laboratory, and MATH 246 Calculus for the Biological Sciences I, alongside composition and University Core Education courses.

Year 2: The second year moves into the biological sciences with BI 221Z Principles of Biology: Cells, BI 222Z Principles of Biology: Organisms, and BI 223Z Principles of Biology: Ecology and Evolution, giving students a progressive understanding of cellular, organismal, ecological, and evolutionary biology. Students also complete CH 223Z General Chemistry III, CH 229Z General Chemistry III Laboratory, and MATH 247 Calculus for the Biological Sciences II, while continuing Core Education and cultural-literacy coursework.

Year 3: Students transition into more advanced scientific study through BI 214 General Biology IV: Biochemistry and Genetics, CH 331 Organic Chemistry I, and CH 335 Organic Chemistry II, while beginning substantial upper-division Biology and Modeling, Analysis, Programming, and Statistics (MAPS) coursework. This stage allows students to begin shaping their studies around interests such as molecular genetics, cell biology, ecology, evolution, physiology, or data-driven biology.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes upper-division Biology, with students completing advanced courses alongside PHYS 201, PHYS 202, and PHYS 203 General Physics and additional electives or research-oriented options. Students can use courses such as BI 401 Research, BI 402 Supervised College Teaching, or BI 406 Practicum to complement their academic and career goals, while advanced choices may include BI 320 Molecular Genetics, BI 322 Cell Biology, BI 370 General Ecology, or BI 380 Evolution.

Focus Areas

Ecology and Evolution, Human Biology, Marine Biology, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Neuroscience and Behavior — students may use upper-division coursework to pursue one of these optional emphasis areas and receive written departmental recognition upon completing the relevant requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Scientific inquiry, experimental design, mathematical and statistical analysis, biological interpretation, scientific communication, interdisciplinary thinking, modeling and simulation, and understanding biological systems from molecules through ecosystems.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

NWCCU accreditation: The University of Oregon is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), with its accreditation most recently reaffirmed in March 2025. The university's official accreditation information does not identify a separate specialized accreditation specifically for the Biology BA.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Research reputation: The University of Oregon is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), and the Biology department describes its graduates as nationally and internationally recognized, with graduates progressing to MD, PhD, MD-PhD, and MS programs and internships worldwide. The official University of Oregon Biology sources reviewed do not state a current QS or other specific employability ranking for the Biology BA, so no ranking is listed here.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA in Biology at the University of Oregon is strongly hands-on, giving students opportunities to connect classroom learning with laboratory, field, and independent research experiences. Students can choose from research areas including molecular and cellular biology, ecology and evolution, marine biology, neuroscience, human biology, and bioinformatics, while gaining access to specialized laboratories, research institutes, fieldwork, and advanced scientific equipment. The program also highlights global learning and immersive marine biology study through the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology.

Students can build practical experience through several program-specific opportunities:

Undergraduate research: Biology students can work in more than 100 research topics across UO bioscience laboratories, developing experimental methods, scientific reasoning, communication, teamwork, organization, and other research skills. Students typically spend 8–10 hours per week in a laboratory during the academic year, with opportunities to continue research during the summer.
Research institutes: Students can participate in research connected with the Institute of Molecular Biology, Institute of Neuroscience, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, and Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, providing exposure to different areas of modern biological research.
Specialized research laboratories: Biology research groups cover areas such as molecular genetics, evolutionary genomics, microbial biodiversity, developmental biology, epigenetics, DNA repair, population genetics, host-microbe interactions, marine biology, and neuroscience.
Genomics and cell analysis: The Genomics and Cell Characterization Core Facility (GC3F) provides access to technologies including DNA sequencing, flow cytometry, advanced light microscopy, sample preparation, fragment analysis, and high-throughput DNA sequencing, supporting hands-on life-science research.
Marine field experience: Through the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB), students can spend three immersive terms on the Oregon coast studying marine ecosystems, giving the BA a distinctive field-based component.
Global learning and fieldwork: Biology students can participate in study-abroad experiences focused on biodiversity and conservation, alongside fieldwork opportunities that complement their biology coursework.
Summer research: The Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) provides fellowship opportunities for undergraduates to participate in Life Sciences laboratory research during the summer and develop preparation for life-science research careers.
Zebrafish research resources: The Aquatic Animal Care Services supports research using zebrafish and other aquatic models, while the Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC) provides research strains and resources for zebrafish genetics and developmental biology.
Research greenhouse: The UO Research Greenhouses provide more than 6,000 square feet of greenhouse space and a one-acre field for research and teaching involving plants and biological systems.
Advanced imaging and computing: Students involved in relevant research can work within facilities offering high-resolution microscopy, biological imaging, and research computing resources, including the Research Advanced Computing Services facility for large-scale computing, storage, and data analysis support.
Research mentorship and funding: Undergraduate researchers receive faculty mentorship and can access fellowships, grants, and publication support, helping them turn research experience into preparation for graduate school or scientific careers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology at the University of Oregon provides a flexible foundation for careers across biomedical research, biotechnology, healthcare, environmental science, government, and education. Biology graduates have secured positions with biotechnology companies, clinics and hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, research laboratories, public health departments, government agencies, and conservation organizations.

Typical career roles: Biomedical research assistant, biological or laboratory technician, environmental scientist, science educator.

Career development and progression:

Career services: The University Career Center provides one-to-one career coaching, résumé and cover-letter reviews, interview preparation, job-search strategies, networking opportunities, and employer connections. Students can also use Handshake to find internships, full-time positions, research opportunities, career events, and employers; UO graduates retain Handshake access after graduation.
Employment outcomes: The University of Oregon Department of Biology reports that 85% of graduates secure a job within six months of graduation. The university's official Biology sources do not state a program-specific salary figure, so a salary range or median is not provided here.
Internships and practical experience: UO promotes internships as a route to industry experience, including opportunities in Eugene and Portland and placements such as internships with Portland biotechnology startups. University-wide, 56% of the class of 2025 worked paid or unpaid internships, while UO reports that 85% of employers preferred candidates with undergraduate research experience.
University–industry partnerships: The Biology department's interdisciplinary work connects with the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, which explicitly focuses on stronger ties with industry and entrepreneurs. Biology-related research also includes the Biology and the Built Environment Center, which collaborates with industry partners and allied organizations on microbiome, human-health, and environmental-sustainability research.
Biomedical partnerships: The Knight Campus houses the Center for Translational Biomedical Research, a partnership between the Knight Campus and PeaceHealth focused on biomedical research collaborations in clinical and applied science and translating discoveries into medical technologies.
Research and graduation outcomes: Biology students can participate in faculty research, including an O'Day Fellowship that pairs an undergraduate with a graduate student for a 10-week summer biological-sciences research project and provides a $5,000 fellowship award. The department also reports that its graduates have progressed to MD, PhD, MD-PhD, and MS programs and internships worldwide.
Accreditation value: The official Biology program and catalog sources do not state a separate professional accreditation for the BA in Biology. Therefore, no program-specific accreditation claim is made here.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA in Biology, students can continue into graduate study such as an MS or PhD in Biology, with UO offering graduate programs in Biology. The degree also provides preparation for professional programs including medicine (MD/DO), dentistry (DDS), veterinary medicine (DVM), pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, physician assistant programs, and other allied-health fields, depending on the additional prerequisites required by the chosen institution.