Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Washington

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Washington provides broad, hands-on training across molecular and cellular biology, organismal physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, with opportunities to personalize upper-division study through electives, research, laboratory work, and field experiences. It suits students interested in medicine, biotechnology, research, health sciences, environmental science, conservation, education, or other life-science careers, while building a strong scientific foundation for graduate or professional study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the foundational BIOL 180, BIOL 200, and BIOL 220 introductory sequence, developing knowledge of biology, cellular and molecular processes, and animal and plant physiology. Alongside biology, students build their scientific foundation through required chemistry and calculus/statistics coursework.

Year 2: Students progress into supporting sciences and begin developing deeper biological understanding through genetics, chemistry, physics, and quantitative coursework. Depending on their interests, they can begin exploring areas such as BIOL 350 Foundations in Physiology, BIOL 355 Foundations in Molecular Cell Biology, or BIOL 356 Foundations in Ecology.

Year 3: Upper-division study expands across the three core areas of Molecular/Cellular/Developmental Biology, Organismal Physiology, and Ecology/Evolutionary Biology, with at least 6 credits required from each area. Students can take courses such as BIOL 302 Laboratory Techniques in Cell and Molecular Biology, BIOL 402 Functional Genomics, or BIOL 455 Human Immunology and Pathology of Infectious Diseases, giving them opportunities to develop advanced laboratory and analytical skills.

Year 4: Students use their remaining upper-division credits to build an individualized area of interest while completing advanced laboratory requirements. Options include BIOL 419 Data Science for Biologists, BIOL 460 Systems Biology I, BIOL 499 Undergraduate Research, and specialized microbiology courses such as MICROM 411 Bacterial Genetics, MICROM 431 Prokaryotic Recombinant DNA Techniques, and MICROM 442 Medical Bacteriology.

Focus Areas

Molecular/Cellular/Developmental Biology, Organismal Physiology, Ecology/Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, quantitative biology, microbiology, genomics, immunology, biotechnology, environmental biology, and biomedical sciences.

Learning Outcomes

Scientific reasoning, hypothesis development, data interpretation, systems thinking, laboratory skills, quantitative analysis, collaboration, ethical scientific thinking, and the ability to integrate biological concepts across molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological scales.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Accreditation: The University of Washington's official specialized-accreditation listing does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the B.S. in Biology; therefore, no program-specific accreditation should be stated as an accreditation advantage.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Graduate employability: UW reports that 92% of recent graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months, while 94% agree that their UW experience prepared them to achieve their career goals.

Biology research reputation: The Department of Biology describes itself as one of UW's largest departments, with more than one-third of Biology students participating in original research with UW faculty and more than 500 Biology graduates each year.

Career relevance: Official UW Biology information identifies career pathways including clinical and laboratory roles, microbiology, biochemistry, environmental consulting, health communications, science writing, education, biotechnology, conservation, and research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biology at the University of Washington gives students substantial hands-on experience through laboratory courses, fieldwork, internships, and undergraduate research. Students can work directly with UW faculty in active research laboratories, developing practical skills in experimental design, laboratory techniques, scientific literature review, data analysis, and scientific communication. More than one-third of UW Biology students participate in original research with UW faculty, while the department also provides opportunities to study biological systems across the Pacific Northwest, including alpine, forest, coastal, and urban environments.

Practical opportunities include:

Undergraduate Research: Students can undertake BIOL 499 research with a Biology faculty member, working on an ongoing project or developing an individual research project. Activities can include experiments, data analysis, scientific-literature evaluation, and preparation of a research report or manuscript.
Laboratory Training: The B.S. requires 300- or 400-level laboratory courses, giving students advanced practical exposure alongside their biological coursework.
Research Symposium: Students can present their research through the Biology Undergraduate Research Fest, where undergraduate researchers give talks or present posters and interact with the wider Biology research community.
Field Learning: UW Biology provides opportunities to study alpine, forest, coastal, and urban ecosystems, including field experiences around Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and Friday Harbor Laboratories.
Friday Harbor Laboratories: Students can access UW's marine research station in the San Juan Islands, where research and teaching use research vessels, field sites, laboratories, and specialized scientific equipment. FHL research includes areas such as cell and molecular biology, conservation biology, ecology, evolution, and animal behavior.
Research Equipment: Friday Harbor Laboratories provides access to advanced equipment including CT scanners, nucleotide sequencers, scanning laser confocal microscopes, HPLC, TEM, SEM, and centrifuges for relevant research projects and internships.
Research Internships: FHL offers Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) opportunities in which students conduct supervised research, prepare a scientific paper, and present their findings in a short presentation.
Study Abroad & External Research: Biology students can combine their degree with study-abroad programs, while departmental opportunities also connect students with research experiences at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, UW Health Sciences BRIDGES, Washington NASA Space Grant, and other programs.
Research Funding: Biology undergraduates can apply for support such as the Mary Gates Research Scholarship, while departmental awards can help cover fieldwork, research supplies, research-related travel, and conference travel.
Facilities & Academic Resources: Biology students have access to facilities and resources including the UW Biology Greenhouse, Biology study areas, and affiliated facilities such as Friday Harbor Laboratories, the Burke Museum, and the Herbarium.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biology at the University of Washington gives students a broad scientific foundation with opportunities to build practical experience through research, internships, laboratory work, and field experiences. Graduates can move into healthcare, biotechnology, research, environmental science, education, and government, while the degree also provides a strong foundation for professional and graduate study.

Typical Job Roles: Research Assistant, Microbiologist, Environmental Scientist, Laboratory Researcher.

Career Support & Employment Opportunities:

Career & Internship Center: Students receive support with career planning, aptitude testing, resume development, job searches, and experiential-learning opportunities.
Handshake: Students can access thousands of jobs and internships, message recruiters, connect with employers and alumni, and register for career events and fairs.
Internships: UW reports that internships can help students build professional networks, strengthen resumes, gain practical experience, and improve their transition into employment.
Research Experience: More than one-third of Biology students participate in original research with UW faculty, giving students valuable experience for research and science-related careers.

Employment Stats & Salary Information:

Positive Outcomes: Across UW Seattle undergraduate programs, the 2024 positive outcome rate was 85%, combining full-time employment, part-time employment, volunteer service, and continuing education; the survey had a 57% knowledge rate.
Internship Pay: UW reports that more than 95% of internships posted on Handshake are paid, with internship pay ranging from $19.50 to $35+ per hour and an average national hourly wage of $23.04.
Career Salary Data: UW's Physical & Life Sciences career resources provide annual-earnings data, employment trends, top employers, education requirements, and job-market information using Lightcast and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

University–Industry & Research Partnerships: UW Biology states that its partnerships provide students with internship opportunities at medical facilities, biotechnology companies, environmental organizations, and local, state, and federal government agencies. The department also has connections with major regional research organizations, while Biology is affiliated with the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, which brings together UW, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Seattle Children's researchers.

Long-Term Accreditation Value: The University of Washington is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), with accreditation applying to the university as a whole. UW states that accreditation recognizes institutional quality and supports students' access to federal financial aid and research-related funding; the university's accreditation was reaffirmed in July 2021.

Graduation Outcomes: UW Biology reports that graduates move into clinical and laboratory careers, environmental and field-based positions, science communication and education, as well as medical, dental, veterinary, naturopathic, osteopathic, and graduate programs. The department graduates more than 500 Biology majors annually, while its hands-on research, internships, and coursework help students prepare for careers across multiple sectors.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biology, students can pursue master's degrees or Ph.D. programs in biology and related life-science fields. The degree also supports progression into medical, dental, veterinary, naturopathic, osteopathic, optometry, physical therapy, and other health-professional programs, with UW Pre-Health and academic advisers providing planning and preparation support.