Concentration Areas
Concentration Areas
Biology is a broad field. Choose a pathway that aligns your coursework with your interests, career goals, and plans for graduate or professional study.
Find the Biology Path That Fits You
The Biology BS offers multiple concentration areas that allow students to build a strong foundation in biological science while focusing their studies toward health professions, molecular science, environmental biology, chemistry, education, or a broad preparation across the discipline.
Explore Your Options
Start with the area that most closely matches your interests. You can learn more about each pathway below.
Basic Biology
The Basic Biology concentration provides broad preparation across the biological sciences and can support a wide range of career and graduate-study goals.
Students develop knowledge of concepts and terminology in molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological biology while building an understanding of living organisms and biological systems.
Biomedical Sciences
The Biomedical Sciences concentration is designed for students interested in health-related careers and professional programs. Students should work closely with faculty mentors because professional-school requirements vary by field and institution.
Pre-Professional Pathways
Plan Early
Students interested in a professional health program should connect with a specialized advisor or faculty mentor early so coursework can be planned around future admission requirements.
Cellular & Molecular Biosciences
The Cellular & Molecular Biosciences concentration provides preparation for students interested in areas such as cellular and molecular biology, bioinformatics, medical laboratory science, forensics, pharmaceutical research, and related fields.
Students completing this pathway can prepare for graduate school, professional school, or scientific careers while gaining experience with Biology facilities and laboratory-based learning.
Customize Your Preparation
Students interested in forensics may consider additional chemistry and sociology coursework. Students interested in bioinformatics may benefit from computer programming, statistics, or probability coursework. Faculty mentors can help students select appropriate supporting courses.
Environmental Biosciences
The Environmental Biosciences concentration prepares students for careers and advanced study related to ecology, environmental protection, environmental health and technology, environmental conservation, and conservation biology.
The program combines biological science with environmentally focused coursework so students can develop a strong understanding of biological and ecological systems.
Learn Beyond the Classroom
Students interested in environmental biology can strengthen their preparation through field experiences, research, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Biology & Chemistry Double Major
The Biology & Chemistry Double Major combines advanced preparation in biology with chemistry coursework, giving students an interdisciplinary scientific foundation.
This pathway can support students preparing for graduate study, professional school, medical pathways, research, and other bioscience-related fields.
Biology: 7–12 Teacher Preparation
The teacher preparation concentration is designed for students seeking a secondary teaching license in Biology. Students combine a strong Biology education with professional preparation through the Teacher Education Program.
Preparation includes education coursework and field experiences in school settings. Students work closely with the Teacher Education Program as they develop the knowledge and classroom skills needed to teach science at the secondary level.
Teacher Education Requirements
Students apply for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program during ED 301, Frameworks in Education. Students must also meet applicable teacher-education and licensure requirements, including the required content examination before student teaching.
Not Sure Which Concentration Is Right for You?
Your concentration should support both your academic interests and what you hope to do after graduation. Biology faculty can help you compare pathways, understand course requirements, and build an academic plan around your goals.
