Biology

Rediscover the Natural World as a USCA Biology Major

Go beyond lectures and textbooks as you collaborate on real-life research, pursue well-rounded coursework, and gain a greater understanding of organisms and species around you.

At USCA, our Bachelor’s Degree in Biology gets you ready for a career where you can take a deep dive into the complex structures and processes that make up our world.

Your biology degree is what you make it. We offer two degree options:

• Bachelor of Arts in Biology—This interdisciplinary, liberal arts-focused program combines a biology degree with a major or minor from another discipline. You’ll take core science courses while pursuing electives in other areas.
• Bachelor of Science in Biology—This biology degree option provides you with coursework and research experiences to prepare you for careers in biology or graduate and professional schooling. The BS in Biology may be combined with a concentration in Environmental Remediation & Restoration or Molecular Biology

You can also choose to include courses from our pre-dentistry, pre-medicine, or pre-veterinary tracks. No matter your passion or interest, USCA’s Bachelor’s Degree in Biology has you covered.

Program Highlights

Our biology program is designed to take you from the simple to the complex – taking you on a journey from the building blocks of living organisms to the communities in which they inhabit. Along the way, you will apply that knowledge and your skills to real-world situations. At USCA, Bachelor’s Degree in Biology students see their curiosity run wild as they:

• Thrive in top-notch facilities. From cell culture spaces to experimental greenhouses, Real-Time PCR to fluorescent and confocal microscopes, our teaching and research laboratories have the top-notch tools you need to pursue your interests.
• Learn from leading experts and researchers. Whether you choose our Bachelor of Science in Biology degree or our Bachelor of Arts in Biology major, you’ll learn from adept educators and researchers who are pursuing their own passions and publishing work that’s changing how we understand the natural world. Participate in research in areas that include studies of gene function, monitoring water quality in local watersheds, parasite community structure, bluebird nesting behavior, and the health of marine fisheries.
• Pursue your own research interests. All USCA biology majors conduct at least one semester of original research before graduation, and many choose to complete multiple semesters of research in areas such as developmental biology, ecology, environmental toxicology, genetics, and more.

Degree Course Highlights

Whether you’re pursuing our Bachelor of Arts in Biology or Bachelor of Science in Biology, you’ll experience a breadth of coursework, labs, and research across a variety of scientific fields.

Biology majors can expect coursework in:

• Genetics
• Ecology
• Evolution
• Biostatistics
• Integrated Systems
• Organismal Biology
• Cellular and Molecular Biology

All biology majors also take part in a senior seminar and a 12-month research project under the mentorship of a biology faculty member.

For more information about the Biology Program, visit our department page and be sure to check out the Student Handbook on our Resources page.