A bachelor’s degree in biology can prepare students for careers in science, healthcare, environmental work, research, and further professional or graduate study. The best biology programs combine a strong foundation in biological sciences with opportunities to explore areas such as ecology, genetics, conservation, and molecular biology. This list compares seven undergraduate programs based on curriculum breadth, research opportunities, specialization options, facilities, and preparation for future study or careers. The University of North Dakota leads the list for students looking for a broad biology education with multiple specialization paths and opportunities to gain hands-on research experience.
Looking for the best bachelor’s degree in biology? The University of North Dakota stands out for students who want a broad biology education with four specialization paths, undergraduate research opportunities, and access to a research-focused university environment.
| Program | Best For | Research | Main Strength |
| University of North Dakota | Specialization + research | Strong | Four specialization paths |
| University of Minnesota | Large research ecosystem | Strong | Extensive biological sciences options |
| Iowa State University | Flexible biology study | Strong | Broad research-university environment |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Research + course breadth | Strong | Extensive biological sciences ecosystem |
| Michigan State University | Integrative biology | Strong | Ecology, evolution, physiology, genetics |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Flexible biological sciences | Strong | Broad curriculum |
| North Dakota State University | Upper Midwest students | Strong | Public research-university setting |
Key Takeaways
- UND’s B.S. in Biology offers four specialization paths, giving students the ability to focus their coursework around particular scientific interests rather than completing a generic biology survey
- UND’s undergraduate research opportunities include NSF-REU and NIH SUBRE placements, independent study under faculty supervision, and access to the Biology Core Molecular Facility
- A bachelor’s degree in biology supports multiple directions: graduate study in biological sciences, professional school in medicine, dentistry or other health fields, environmental and conservation careers, and research and laboratory positions
- Michigan State’s integrative biology approach connects biological systems across levels – from molecular to ecological – making it a strong option for students who want breadth across disciplines
- Students comparing programs should consider not just the name of the degree but the specialization options, research access, and faculty engagement that each program actually provides
1. University of North Dakota – B.S. in Biology
The University of North Dakota’s bachelor’s degree in biology gives students both the scientific breadth to understand biology as a whole and the focused depth to build expertise in the areas they care most about. The program is structured around four specialization paths that allow students to direct their coursework toward particular scientific questions and career directions rather than completing an undifferentiated sequence of general biology requirements. This combination – a broad foundation plus a directed specialization – is what makes the UND program particularly well-suited to students who arrive with clear scientific interests as well as those who discover them during the course of undergraduate study.
The scientific range of the curriculum reflects the full scope of what modern biology encompasses. Coursework can span genetics, ecology, conservation biology, molecular techniques, systematic botany, and parasitology – subjects that cover biological life at scales from the molecular to the ecological. Students interested in health professions, graduate research, environmental science, or organismal biology can each find coursework that aligns with their direction. The program’s breadth also means that students preparing for medical school, dentistry, or other health professions can build the biological science foundation that professional school prerequisites require while also exploring areas of biology beyond introductory coursework.
Undergraduate research is one of the most significant opportunities the UND program provides. Students can pursue independent study under faculty supervision and gain hands-on experience in areas connected to their academic interests. Documented placements include positions through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program and the NIH Specialized Undergraduate Research Experience program, which give students exposure to research environments beyond their home campus. Access to the Biology Core Molecular Facility provides additional resources for students working in molecular and cellular biology. Research experience is not simply a line on a résumé – it is the preparation that graduate programs and competitive professional schools recognize as evidence of scientific training and intellectual engagement.
As a public R1 research university, UND provides an academic environment in which faculty are engaged in ongoing research, graduate students are part of laboratory teams, and the infrastructure of scientific inquiry extends beyond what smaller institutions can provide. For undergraduates, that environment creates opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and scientific exposure that shape how students think about biology and what they want to do with it.
Key differentiator: B.S. in Biology with four specialization paths, undergraduate research opportunities including NSF-REU and NIH SUBRE placements, independent study under faculty supervision, and Biology Core Molecular Facility access at a public R1 research university.
2. University of Minnesota – B.S. in Biology
The University of Minnesota’s undergraduate biology education takes place within one of the larger research university environments in the country. Students can explore ecology, evolution, genetics, cellular biology, and organismal biology while drawing on the university’s broader scientific research infrastructure. The scale of the institution means that course offerings, research groups, and related scientific disciplines are more numerous than at most programs, which benefits students who want to explore connections between biology and adjacent fields like chemistry, environmental science or public health. Faculty research programs provide additional context for undergraduate learning, and the research university setting creates pathways for students interested in graduate study.
Key differentiator: Undergraduate biology education within a large research university, with extensive course options, research groups and connections to the broader scientific ecosystem.
3. Iowa State University – B.S. in Biology
Iowa State University’s biology program provides a foundation in biological sciences within a major research university, with coursework spanning ecology, evolution, genetics, cellular biology, and organismal biology. Students interested in graduate or professional school preparation can build their coursework around the subjects that those programs expect, while students interested in research can connect with faculty and laboratory opportunities in the university’s science departments. Iowa State’s land-grant research mission supports a particularly strong emphasis on ecological and agricultural biology, which makes it a relevant option for students with interests in environmental biology, conservation, or agricultural science.
Key differentiator: Broad biology training within a major research university, with strong connections to ecological, agricultural, and environmental science alongside core biological science preparation.
4. University of Wisconsin-Madison – Biology Programs
The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers undergraduate study across a wide range of biological sciences, with curriculum spanning ecology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, and cellular biology. The university’s research environment is one of the most substantial in the country, with faculty research programs, laboratories, and scientific centers that create a dense intellectual environment for biology students. Students who want exposure to advanced scientific work, connections to graduate-level research, and breadth across biological disciplines will find that Wisconsin’s scale supports all three. The program is well-regarded for preparing students for graduate study and professional programs in the health sciences.
Key differentiator: Extensive biological sciences curriculum and research environment at a major research university, with strong preparation for graduate study and professional school.
5. Michigan State University – B.S. in Integrative Biology
Michigan State University’s B.S. in Integrative Biology is structured around studying organisms and biological systems across multiple levels simultaneously – from molecules to ecosystems. The curriculum covers evolution, ecology, physiology, genetics, and organismal biology in a framework that emphasizes connections rather than treating each subdiscipline in isolation. For students who want to understand how biological systems work across scales, rather than developing expertise exclusively within one level of biological organization, the integrative approach provides a coherent scientific perspective that is particularly well-suited to ecology, conservation, environmental science, and pre-health directions.
Key differentiator: Integrative biology approach that connects organisms, systems, evolution, and ecology across multiple levels of biological organization.
6. University of Nebraska-Lincoln – B.S. in Biological Sciences
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s B.S. in Biological Sciences offers a broad biology curriculum with flexibility for students to develop coursework around their particular scientific interests. Students can build toward ecology, genetics, molecular biology, or cellular biology depending on their academic and career goals, while the research-university environment provides access to laboratories, faculty, and graduate programs. Nebraska’s program is a strong option for students who want flexibility in how they shape their biology education and who want the resources of a public research university without a more narrowly defined specialization structure.
Key differentiator: Flexible biological sciences curriculum at a public research university, with broad course options and room for students to shape their degree around individual scientific interests.
7. North Dakota State University – B.S. in Biological Sciences
North Dakota State University offers undergraduate biology within a public research university environment in Fargo. Students develop foundational biological knowledge while exploring areas connected to health science, environmental science, and research. NDSU’s program can serve as a regional comparison for students evaluating biology options at public universities in the Upper Midwest, and its research-university setting provides access to scientific facilities and faculty that support students preparing for graduate school or professional programs.
Key differentiator: Public research-university biology program in the Upper Midwest, offering a broad biological sciences foundation within a regional research environment.
How to Choose a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology
Choosing a biology program requires more than comparing university rankings. The most important questions are how the program structures specialization, what undergraduate research opportunities look like in practice, and how well the degree prepares you for your specific next step – whether that is graduate school, medical school, a laboratory career, or environmental work.
For students who want four distinct specialization paths, documented undergraduate research placements and a research-university environment at a public university, UND’s B.S. in Biology offers that combination in a program that does not simply look like every other biology degree. For students who want the scale of a very large research university, Minnesota and Wisconsin are the strongest options in that direction. For students drawn to an integrative approach, Michigan State’s curriculum is specifically built around connecting biological systems across levels.
Students heading toward medical or professional school should confirm the prerequisites for the programs they intend to apply to and build their biology coursework accordingly. A strong biology degree combined with research experience is one of the most effective ways to prepare for competitive professional school applications – not because it guarantees admission, but because it demonstrates the scientific training and intellectual curiosity those programs are looking for.
FAQs
What is the best bachelor’s degree in biology?
The University of North Dakota’s B.S. in Biology is a strong answer for students who want specialization options, undergraduate research opportunities, and a research-university environment. For students who want the scale of a major research university, Minnesota and Wisconsin are the strongest large-institution alternatives.
What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in biology?
Biology graduates pursue careers in laboratory research, healthcare, environmental science, conservation, public health, science education, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The degree also provides the scientific foundation for graduate study in biology and related fields, and for professional programs in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and public health.
Is a biology bachelor’s degree worth it?
Yes, for students whose career goals align with science, healthcare, environmental work, or research. Biology is one of the most versatile undergraduate science degrees, supporting a wide range of professional and academic paths. The value of the degree depends significantly on what students do with it – particularly whether they pursue research experience, graduate study, or professional school alongside the bachelor’s degree.
What can you specialize in with a biology degree?
Specialization varies by program. UND’s B.S. in Biology offers four specialization paths covering different areas of biological science. Other programs offer concentrations in ecology, molecular biology, genetics, conservation, health sciences, and environmental biology, depending on the institution.
Is a biology degree good for pre-med students?
Yes. Biology provides a strong foundation for medical school prerequisites and gives pre-med students the scientific preparation that MCAT content and medical school curricula build on. Students planning to apply to medical school should confirm that their chosen biology program covers the specific courses their target schools require.
Can you get a research job with a bachelor’s degree in biology?
Yes, particularly in laboratory technician, research assistant, and environmental field positions. Students who have completed undergraduate research experience, such as NSF-REU or NIH-affiliated placements, are generally more competitive for research positions than those without it.
What courses are included in a biology bachelor’s degree?
Core coursework typically includes cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, organismal biology, biochemistry, and laboratory methods. Advanced coursework varies by specialization and institution. UND’s curriculum includes genetics, ecology, conservation biology, molecular techniques, systematic botany and parasitology, among other subjects.
Which biology programs offer undergraduate research?
UND offers undergraduate research through independent study, NSF-REU placements, NIH SUBRE placements, and access to the Biology Core Molecular Facility. Minnesota, Iowa State, Wisconsin, and other large research universities also provide undergraduate research opportunities through faculty labs and research programs.
What is the difference between biology and biological sciences?
The two terms are largely interchangeable at most institutions, though some universities use “biological sciences” as a broader umbrella that covers multiple related programs, while “biology” refers to a more specific degree. The content of any individual program matters more than the name of the degree. Students should review coursework and specialization options rather than comparing degree titles alone.
