Program Description
In the BS program in biological sciences, students discover the basic organization and processes of life, from molecules to ecosystems. They investigate how hereditary information is transferred, how organisms evolve and the interplay of organisms and their environment.
Students can opt for the Bachelor of Science in biological sciences with no concentration, or they can choose one of five:
- biology and society
- biomedical sciences
- conservation biology and ecology
- genetics, cell and developmental biology
- neurobiology, physiology and behavior
The general degree allows students to take core courses in multiple disciplines and have flexibility to focus their study on their areas of interest.
This program is available as an accelerated degree program.
In addition to the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit The College's website for more information and requirements.
Admission Requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
Freshman Transfer International Readmission
Transfer Options
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use the Transfer Map search to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.
ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and help students save time and money in their college journey. Students may learn more about these programs by visiting the admission site: https://admission.asu.edu/transfer/pathway-programs.
Change of Major Requirements
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should refer to https://changingmajors.asu.edu for information about how to change a major to this program.
Flexible Degree Options
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:
Global Management (Global Development and Innovation)
This concentration empowers students to integrate economic, cultural and political variables in solving critical societal development issues, such as raising standards of living. Graduates have opportunities around the world to tackle some of humanity's most difficult and urgent challenges.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Computational Life Sciences
Join in the transformation that new types and amounts of data are bringing to the life sciences. You can learn computational methods that complement traditional bench-based approaches, allowing you to arrive at novel insights, and you'll gain the knowledge and skills you'll need when applying computational techniques in life sciences research.
Website | Locations: TEMPE,ONLNE
Global Management (Creative Industries and Design Thinking)
Are you seeking a leadership role in a global organization? This concentration offers applied learning opportunities and internships in settings around the world. You'll gain hands-on experience and learn from the diverse perspectives of a global cohort of classmates.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Digital Audience Strategy)
A new class of hybrid careers has recently emerged that combines digital media skills with marketing and design expertise. Become a global leader with both management and multimedia skill sets.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Sustainable Tourism)
As ecotourism grows and the tourism industry adopts sustainability practices, managers and executives need new capabilities to transform global enterprises. This program prepares you for leadership roles in the global tourism arena.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Sustainability Solutions)
As sustainability gains importance worldwide, global organizations need expert leaders and managers who can transform sustainability practices. Tailor your experience with powerful new strategies and tactics for making sustainability a driver of organizational engagement, cost savings and innovation.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management
Gain hands-on experience and learn from the diverse perspectives of a global cohort of classmates. This program offers applied learning opportunities, 17 concentration options, and internships in real-world global settings.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Public Administration)
Help meet the cross-sectoral need for professionals with public administration mastery and cutting-edge global management skills and experience. As a future executive or manager, you'll be equipped with these sought-after skill sets.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Entrepreneurship)
This concentration provides the expertise needed to conceive and execute innovative global ventures. Through rigorous coursework and in-depth exposure to current multicultural business practices, students master the principles of management for global entrepreneurial enterprises.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Health Care Delivery)
Are you seeking a leadership role in the rapidly growing health care industry? Through this concentration, you'll gain a repertoire of global management skills and experience tailored specifically to health care.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Affairs)
Are you looking to become a leader in a nonprofit, governmental or international business role? With specialized cross-training in international affairs and the fundamentals of global management, you'll be ready to make a great impact on a worldwide scale.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Business)
Become a leader through mastery of global business management principles and practices, as well as an understanding of the economic, political and social factors driving change and how decisions affect global markets. Attain the perfect balance of practical and people skills to inspire, influence and drive global success.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Do you want to understand the fundamental molecular events at the core of all life? Choose from a diverse range of research and training opportunities, gain skills in contemporary techniques and enjoy the opportunity to tailor the program around your research and career interests.
Website | Locations: TEMPE
Global Management (Global Digital Transformation)
Thrive in global markets and respond to the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Customize your degree and acquire digital skills in marketing, design, product development, automation and data analytics.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Biology
Deepen your knowledge about the life sciences and build strong conceptual foundations in frontier areas of modern biology.
Website | Locations: TEMPE,ONLNE
Microbiology
When you become an expert in microbes, you will be able to contribute to the greater good. Join us to learn how microbes impact human health and the environment, and receive theoretical and practical training in your chosen area of interest.
Website | Locations: TEMPE
Global Management (Nonprofit Leadership and Management )
Are you a globally minded person who demands a purpose-driven career? Prepare for impactful roles in nonprofit organizations around the world as you gain the knowledge necessary to produce meaningful, rewarding work that enhances communities.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Public Policy)
This concentration prepares students for careers as policy analysts and leaders in public service. Graduates around the world are involved in the formulation, approval, implementation and evaluation of public policy.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Legal Studies)
Engage in experiential learning and build your skills in global management and legal analysis --- all in demand among multinational corporations, international nonprofit organizations, governments and nongovernmental organizations around the world.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Biology (Biology and Society)
Do you need more than a foundation in biology? Do you want to take your training into society and bring about change? Within this multidisciplinary program, you can develop knowledge and skills for tangible action and prepare for employment, a PhD or other professional studies.
Website | Locations: TEMPE
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.
Career Outlook
The biological science major provides an excellent foundation for advanced research and graduate study in biological sciences, health sciences, law and other graduate-level and professional programs, including dentistry, medicine, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.
The Bachelor of Science degree program also prepares graduates with the strong foundation they need for direct entry into their choice of career in many field options, including biotechnology, education, government and industry.
Example Careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 8.6%
- Median Salary*: 81650
Biologists
- Growth: 3.9%
- Median Salary*: 87300
Clinical Research Coordinators
- Growth: 4.8%
- Median Salary*: 144440
Dentists, General
- Growth: 4.4%
- Median Salary*: 155040
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Growth: 6.1%
- Median Salary*: 76480
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Growth: 1%
- Median Salary*: 62360
Medical and Health Services Managers
- Growth: 28.4%
- Median Salary*: 104830
Pharmacists
- Growth: 2.6%
- Median Salary*: 132750
Veterinarians
- Growth: 19.7%
- Median Salary*: 103260
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Global Opportunities
Global Experience
Professional health education is competitive. Less than 50% of students who apply to medical schools are admitted; the numbers vary for other health-related fields. Medical and professional school admission officers increasingly focus on students with dedication to community service, so engaging in community activities and research abroad will help any student who intends to pursue a health career to create a diverse, accomplished portfolio that can give them an advantage over the competition.
Study abroad students experience distinct biological environments and gain an understanding of worldwide differences in the human condition. Global Education programs provide an opportunity for students to develop a valuable skill set by exposing them to different health environments and expanding their knowledge of culturally specific health approaches.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends these programs for students majoring in biological sciences.
Attend Online
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly.
For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.
Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.