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professor-teaching-molecules-hero-thin

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology

Grow your knowledge of the living world and prepare for a future career in healthcare, research, teaching and other biological science fields with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Hilbert College. With lessons and laboratory experiences built to provide a broad foundation in the natural sciences, our biology program offers you the option to pursue a minor in one of three areas—pre-health, biotechnology and biochemistry—and guides you to a career path that values strengthening communities through service.

Why Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Biology?

If you have an interest in science, nature and the intricate structures and functions of living things, then a career in biology may be a great choice for you. At Hilbert College, students in our Bachelor of Arts in Biology program gain a foundational knowledge of core biology subjects such as microbiology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry and human anatomy as well as biology-related fields that include chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Through rigorous coursework and hands-on laboratory experiences, our biology program graduates become well positioned for careers in the fields of health and research. You may choose to work your entire career in these fields having earned a bachelor’s degree, or you may opt to pursue a master’s degree or doctorate to advance to the most prestigious positions—and highest salaries—these fields have to offer.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Biology?

Hilbert’s bachelor’s degree in biology can be the credential you need to get your start in a broad range of potential career paths, including teaching, research, and technical entry-level positions in health care, agriculture and conservation biology, forestry, forensics, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Whether you aspire to enter a professional field directly or use your bachelor’s in biology as the foundation for advanced study leading to an MS or PhD, our Bachelor of Arts in Biology program can serve you well.

Think you might like to take your education further and pursue an advanced degree? Our bachelor’s in biology can prepare you for that with Pre-Health Professional programs designed to support your progress toward a career in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dental, optometry and veterinary medicine as well as advanced degrees in fields such as genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology and neuroscience.

Contact Us

Have a question for Biology? Contact us.

Dr. Habibul Bakht
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Chair, Natural and Behavioral Sciences Division
Coordinator, Pre-Professional Sciences
Bogel Hall 140D
Call: (716) 926-8953

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Bachelor of Arts in Biology Career Paths

A bachelor’s degree in biology can be your gateway to a wide variety of career opportunities, including:

A Hilbert College professor helps a student with research.
  • Health care careers in medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, nursing and veterinary medicine
  • Graduate study opportunities in microbiology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, toxicology, neuroscience, neurobiology, cancer biology, immunology and more
  • Teaching roles in elementary, middle and high schools
  • Research technician roles in biotechnology companies, university research labs and government agencies such as the NIH, CDC, FDA, USDA, EPA, etc.
  • Entry-level laboratory assistant/technician roles in medical schools, forensic science labs, environmental science labs, pharmaceutical industries and the biotech industry
  • Pharmacy assistant/technician roles in pharmacies or drug stores
  • Pharmaceutical and medical equipment sales roles
  • Science writer for a health journal or magazine Health communication roles at hospitals and health care companies

 What Is the Typical Salary for a Bachelor of Arts in Biology Graduate?

The median annual salary for life, physical, and social science occupations was $72,740 in May 2021, which was higher than the median annual wage of $45,760 for all occupations.

Here are some examples of the careers you may pursue with a bachelor’s degree in biology along with their median salaries and potential job growth*:

 

Medical and Health Services Manager

Median Salary: $101,340
Number of Jobs: 480,700
Projected Growth: 28% from 2021 to 2031

 
 

Pharmaceutical/Medical Sales Representative

Median Salary: $94,840
Number of Jobs: 1,597,600
Projected Growth: 5% from 2021 to 2031

 
 
 

Agricultural or Food Scientist

Median Salary: $74,160
Number of Jobs: 37,300
Projected Growth: 8% from 2021 to 2031

 
 

Environmental Scientist

Median Salary: $76,530
Number of Jobs: 80,000
Projected Growth: 5% from 2021 to 2031 

 

Biological Technician

Median Salary: $48,140
Number of Jobs: 84,300
Projected Growth: 9% from 2021 to 2031

 

Forensic Science Technician

Median Salary: $61,930
Number of Jobs: 17,600
Projected Growth: 11% from 2021 to 2031 

*Salary, growth, and job numbers info based on data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job Outlook for Bachelor of Arts in Biology Graduates

Employment for life, physical and social science occupations is projected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Overall, this job sector will see an average of about 147,900 total job openings each year from growth and replacement needs.

*Based on data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Why Choose Hilbert for Your Bachelor’s Degree in Biology?

At Hilbert, we embrace our students as family and do everything we can to propel them to success academically and socially. As a student in our Bachelor of Arts in Biology program, you will enjoy:

A Hilbert biology student pouring into a flask
  • State-of-the-art science labs built to provide real-world learning experiences Internship and research opportunities to grow in your interests
  • Expert faculty with years of experience in their fields
  • An 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • Academic skills workshops, one-on-one tutoring, learning strategies instruction and academic counseling to help you perform your best
  • A dedicated Office of Career Development providing resources, knowledge and strategies to help you achieve your career potential
  • More than 30 student organizations, clubs and honor societies, plus intramural and club sports
  • Opportunities to give back to the community through service learning

Pre-Professional Programs

Our Pre-Professional programs (Dental, Medicine, Nursing, Optometry, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine) provide focused undergraduate curricula to prepare you for a professional program upon graduation. Although these programs offer no guarantees of admission, the Pre-Professional program requirements are geared to position you for application to a professional program. For example, you will have access to a Pre-Professional program advisor who can inform you about the application process, specific admissions tests and curricular and cocurricular activities that enhance your competitive edge when applying to professional schools.

 View Pre-Professional Programs
 

Biology Minors

Our biology minor adds a biological science focus to students (from other majors) program of study that can be customized to your interests in the life sciences. You will have the opportunity to pursue a minor in one of three areas: pre-health, biotechnology, and biochemistry.

Forensic Biology Minor

Designed for students with interests or career goals in forensic science, the forensic biology minor will prepare students for positions such as crime science or forensic science technician, and specialized roles including forensic biologist, serologist and forensic DNA analyst. In addition, this minor will help students prepare for entry into a graduate-level program or an entry-level professional career in public and private forensic laboratories; federal, state or local government/law enforcement; and intelligence agencies.

View Minor Specializations

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology Curriculum

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology program at Hilbert College combines lectures and laboratory learning experiences in both its core and elective courses. Typically, the program requires 39 credits of biology-related coursework and 33 credits of physics, chemistry and mathematics. The required courses offered within the major cover various biological fields, allowing you to study areas of personal interest more thoroughly.

You will also have the opportunity to complete an honors project or perform independent research with a faculty member in the Natural Sciences and Math Department, which will help you develop additional skills and provide other opportunities to apply the acquired knowledge to your chosen career path. Our program also offers several other biology courses to non-majors that relate to biological concepts in the context of issues that society is facing today, such as global warming, climate change, GMOs, etc. 

View Biology BA Curriculum

Your Academic Roadmap

Download our printable major maps to guide your college experience.

View Major Maps

Frequently Asked Questions

What career opportunities can you pursue with a bachelor's degree in biology?

Graduates of Hilbert’s bachelor’s in biology program may pursue a wide variety of careers and opportunities, ranging from health professions—in medicine, dentistry, optometry, nursing and veterinary care—to graduate studies and roles in research, forensic science, environmental science and more.

What is the typical salary for biology degree holders?

The median annual salary for professionals holding a bachelor’s degree in biology from a U.S. higher education institution was about $74,000 as of October 2022, according to Payscale.

How long does it take to earn your bachelor's in biology?

Most students complete our Bachelor of Arts in Biology program in four years or less. Full-time students with eligible transfer credits may be able to complete the program sooner.

What are the pre-professional programs for the Bachelor of Arts in Biology program?

Bachelor of Arts in Biology students at Hilbert College are eligible to pursue our pre-professional programs in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dental, optometry and veterinary medicine. For more information, see our Pre-Professional Programs page.

What minors are available in the Bachelor of Arts in Biology program?

Students in our bachelor’s in biology program may add a biology minor that can be tailored to their interests in the life sciences. Your minor may focus on one of three areas in biology: pre-health, biotechnology and biochemistry.

Apply to the Bachelor of Arts in Biology program at Hilbert College

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