Biology
What this major studies in college, the health tracks it can lead to, and careers open with a bachelor’s degree. Every fact below names its source.
Last checked:
What it is
Biology is the study of life from both basic and applied perspectives across a broad range of analytical levels. [1]
UNC-Chapel Hill's B.S. in biology is designed for students who intend to continue graduate study in biological or health sciences. [1]
Typical college courses
Penn State's B.S. in biology also has students take a course in each of four areas of biology (basic concepts and biodiversity, populations and communities, molecules and cells, and the function and development of organisms), plus Chemical Principles I and II, calculus, statistics and physics. [2]
How Cells Function, Biodiversity and Biological Research Skills are the fundamentals core courses of the B.S., and for biology majors How Cells Function is one of the three mandatory fundamentals courses. [1] [3]
The B.S. in biology also requires General Descriptive Chemistry I and II with their labs, and Introduction to Organic Chemistry I. [1]
The B.S. in biology requires Calculus of Functions of One Variable I and one first physics course (PHYS 114 or PHYS 118), plus two more courses chosen from Calculus II, a second physics course, programming and statistics. [1]
The rows below show one named program as an example: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.S. in biology, 2026–2027 catalog. Course descriptions are in our own words. Course names and numbers differ at every college; confirm each college’s own list.
| Course | Status | What it covers (example: UNC-Chapel Hill catalog) | Comes after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principles of Biology, with lab | Required in this example programThe B.S. in biology starts with Principles of Biology and its lab as the gateway course. [1] | Principles of Biology (BIOL 101) introduces the basic ideas of biology: how cells are built and work, their chemistry, genetics, evolution, adaptation and ecology. [3] | It is open to all undergraduates and is the prerequisite to most higher biology courses. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: The molecules of life · Cell structure: prokaryotes and eukaryotes · The cell membrane and transport · Cellular respiration · From DNA to protein · Meiosis, mutations and genetic variation | |||
| How Cells Function | Required in this example program[1] [3] | How Cells Function (BIOL 103), for first- or second-year students, builds a foundation in genetics, molecular biology and cell biology. [3] | It comes after Principles of Biology (BIOL 101). [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Cell structure: prokaryotes and eukaryotes · The cell membrane and transport · The molecules of life · DNA structure and replication · From DNA to protein · The cell cycle, mitosis and differentiation | |||
| Biodiversity | Required in this example program[1] [3] | Biodiversity (BIOL 104) asks how we identify and measure the variety of life on Earth, how it changes over time, and why it matters as the planet changes. [3] | It comes after Principles of Biology (BIOL 101) and an introductory biology lab. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Classification and cladograms · Natural selection · Speciation and extinction · Biodiversity and ecosystem factors · Human impact and solutions for biodiversity | |||
| Molecular Genetics (one of five core options) | One of the choices in this example programStudents then choose two of five intermediate core options: Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Introduction to Ecology, or an organismal structure and diversity course. [1] | Molecular Genetics (BIOL 220) covers how traits are passed on, how DNA is copied, repaired and mutated, how genes are read and controlled, and how genetics affects development and disease. [3] | It comes after How Cells Function (BIOL 103). [3] |
Get ready with these topics: DNA structure and replication · From DNA to protein · Gene regulation and expression · Chromosomes and the role of DNA in inheritance · Meiosis, mutations and genetic variation · Probability in inheritance | |||
| General Descriptive Chemistry I and II, with labs | Required in this example program[1] | The first course (CHEM 101) covers atoms and molecules, the forces between molecules, stoichiometry and gases, and the second (CHEM 102) covers solutions, energy changes and thermodynamics, reaction rates, equilibrium including acids and bases, and electrochemistry. [4] | CHEM 101 comes after MATH 110, and CHEM 102 comes after CHEM 101 and its lab, with a C- or better in CHEM 101. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Atoms and electron arrangement · Periodic table patterns · Ionic and covalent bonding · The mole and molar mass · Stoichiometry and conservation of mass · Acids and bases · Quantities, units and rates · Literal equations and formulas | |||
| Introduction to Organic Chemistry I | Required in this example program[1] | Introduction to Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 261) studies how the structure of a molecule is found and how structure relates to reactivity, using molecules that matter in biology as examples. [4] | It comes after General Descriptive Chemistry II (CHEM 102), with a C- or better. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Ionic and covalent bonding · Lewis structures and molecular shape · Forces between particles and bulk properties · Organic chemistry basics · Acids and bases · Reaction rates and collision theory | |||
| Calculus of Functions of One Variable I | Required in this example program[1] | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I (MATH 231) covers limits, derivatives and integrals of functions of one variable. [5] | It comes after MATH 110 and MATH 130 (C- or better in MATH 130), or placement by the department. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Functions: domain, range and composition · Exponential and logarithmic models · Identities and trig equations · Limits from graphs and tables · Limits algebraically and continuity · The tangent line problem | |||
| General Physics I for the life sciences (Physics II is one of the choices) | Required in this example program[1] | General Physics I (PHYS 114) covers forces, energy, oscillations, sound, diffusion and heat transfer, and General Physics II (PHYS 115) covers fluids, electricity, magnetism, optics, and quantum and nuclear physics, both applied to biological systems. [6] | PHYS 114 comes after MATH 129P, MATH 130 or MATH 231, and PHYS 115 comes after PHYS 114 or PHYS 118. [6] |
Get ready with these topics: Physics skills: units, vectors and graphs · Describing motion: position, velocity and acceleration · Newton's second law: net force, mass and acceleration · Conservation of energy: modeling energy in a system · Electric current, voltage and resistance · Waves: frequency, wavelength and speed · Radians and the unit circle | |||
Typical high school preparation
We did not find an official source that gives high school course advice for this major, so none is listed. For the high school courses colleges ask for in general, see the College Preparation page.
Pre-Health Foundations: coming soon
Health tracks this can lead to
Each card opens that track’s page. A reason is shown only where a cited source gives one. Every program sets its own prerequisites, so confirm them with each school.
Pre-Med (MD / DO)
More than half of all medical school applicants reported undergraduate biological science majors over the past five years. [7]
Pre-Dental (DDS / DMD)
The majority of dental students majored in biology and chemistry, although a specific major is not required. [8]
Pre-Pharmacy (PharmD)
Biology was the most common major among accepted PharmCAS applicants last year, followed by chemistry. [9]
Pre-PA (Physician Assistant)
Pre-PT (Physical Therapy)
Pre-Veterinary (DVM)
Pre-Optometry (OD)
Where this degree can lead with a bachelor’s
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, setting and experience. This is not a promise of pay or a job.
Examples from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Other careers may need more study after the bachelor’s degree.
Biological technicians
Biological technicians assist biological and medical scientists with tasks such as laboratory setup, data collection and observation. [10]
The median annual wage for biological technicians was $57,510 in May 2025. [10]
Employment of biological technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [10]
Biological technicians typically need a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field, such as physical science or natural resources. [10]
Microbiologists
Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, algae and fungi. [11]
The median annual wage for microbiologists was $87,990 in May 2025. [11]
Employment of microbiologists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. [11]
Microbiologists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in microbiology or a related field, such as biology. [11]
Questions people search
Chosen from our search-question research. Every answer is cited.
What can you do with a biology degree?
Biological technicians typically need a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field, such as physical science or natural resources. [10]
Microbiologists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in microbiology or a related field, such as biology. [11]
More than half of all medical school applicants reported undergraduate biological science majors over the past five years. [7]
Is biology a good major for pre-med?
There are no required or even preferred majors that medical schools are looking for; students should make sure they fulfill the prerequisite coursework for the schools they want to apply to. [12]
More than half of all medical school applicants reported undergraduate biological science majors over the past five years. [7]
Your next step
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Sources
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Biology Major, B.S.. https://catalog.unc.edu/undergraduate/programs-study/biology-major-bs/. 2026–2027 Academic Catalog. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Biology, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/biology-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Biology (BIOL) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/biol/. 2026–2027 Academic Catalog. Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chemistry (CHEM) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/chem/. current Academic Catalog (the BIOL course page and the program pages show 2026–2027). Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mathematics (MATH) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/math/. current Academic Catalog (the BIOL course page and the program pages show 2026–2027). Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Physics (PHYS) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/phys/. current Academic Catalog (the BIOL course page and the program pages show 2026–2027). Checked .
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Applying to Medical School as a Nonscience Major. https://students-residents.aamc.org/getting-organized/applying-medical-school-nonscience-major. no edition stated (page footer © 2026). Checked .
- American Dental Education Association (ADEA), GoDental. College Major. https://www.adea.org/godental/Apply/tips-for-preparing-to-enter-dental-school/preparing-for-dental-school/college-major. no edition stated (footer © 2026). Checked .
- PharmCAS, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). Pre-Pharmacy Prep. https://www.pharmcas.org/helpful-resources/pre-pharmacy-prep. no edition stated (footer © 2026 PharmCAS). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Biological Technicians. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biological-technicians.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Microbiologists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/microbiologists.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). How to Choose the Best Premed Major. https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/how-choose-best-premed-major. no edition stated (page footer © 2026). Checked .
Format: Publisher. Page title. URL. Edition or catalog year. Checked date.