Biological Sciences, BS
From the function of cells and organisms at the molecular level to ecosystems and the interaction of species with each other and humans, students pursuing a degree in biological sciences study every facet of biological life. Join us in leading cutting-edge investigations that address critical global challenges.
Program Overview
With a Biological Sciences BS, students study one of four life science areas, equipping them for careers in medicine, public health, ecology, and more.
With four concentrations to choose from—biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology; ecology and evolutionary biology; microbiology; and the biology of global health—you’ll have the opportunity to take a range of courses that fuel your curiosity and prepare you for future success. Students in our program explore developmental biology and biochemistry, field botany and ecosystem ecology, immunology and genomics, human anatomy, and the factors contributing to global health. This versatility allows you to tailor your studies anyway you see fit.
Our program is ideal for students who want to gain an interdisciplinary foundation in the life sciences and practical, hands-on laboratory skills. Plus, our program also offers an Honors pathway and a minor in biological sciences for even more versatility.
Concentrations
Whether you’re interested in the environment’s role on evolutionary life (ecology and evolutionary biology), studying microscopic organisms (microbiology), analyzing how biomolecules’ affect the structure and function of living things (biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology), or investigating biological and environmental factors impacting global health, our concentrations provide you with the opportunity to create a professional DNA that’s unique to you.
Our current selection of concentrations includes:
Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB)
Honors
If you’re interested in pursuing more advanced, rigorous coursework, our Honors pathway would provide the space for you to push boundaries further. You may complete Honors-specific coursework and complete an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor, all while receiving one-on-one mentorship. Students interested in Honors must maintain an overall GPA of 3.25.
Our program offers Honors for all four available concentrations.
Minors
If you’re interested in supplementing your primary field of study with knowledge in the biological life sciences, our minor would be a great fit. You’ll take a combination of courses in microbiology, ecology, genetics, and more.
Our current minor option includes:
- Biological Sciences minor
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology minor
- Microbiology minor
Why Study Biological Sciences?
The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences consists of four concentrations across three departments in the College of Arts and Sciences.
With world-renowned research facilities like the UT Herbarium, UT Hesler Biology Greenhouses, UT Etnier Ichthyological Collection (UTEIC), the Bioanalytical Resource Facility, the Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Center, among others, you’ll gain hands-on laboratory and fieldwork skills that will help you hit the ground running in your future career.
Plus, you’ll be working alongside top-ranked faculty in their fields and join a program where mentorship matters. At the University of Tennessee, you’ll never be sitting on the sidelines.
What Can You Do with a BS in Biological Sciences After Graduation?
Through cutting-edge investigations, a wide breadth of research opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences, a degree in Biological Sciences will prepare you to make an impact on the critical global challenges in health, ecology, and biodiversity you will study. In this program, students get to join research teams, conduct independent projects, work with renowned faculty, and be able to have an active role in whichever concentration they chose, setting them up for a strong career with a multitude of possible career paths and employers.
You could work in the health industry at hospitals, medical centers, or clinics, as a physician assistant, respiratory therapist, perfusionist, paramedic, blood bank technologist, or one of the many other job options relating to this degree, depending on your interests. In business, you could become a medical device sales representative, product specialist, quality control associate, or regulatory affairs specialist, with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, or healthcare product companies. If you’re interested in environmental roles, you could work as an air quality specialist, agricultural scientist, water conservationist, or climate change analyst. There’s also law and government, where you could work for intellectual property law firms, federal agencies, or general law firms as a forensic pathologist, science policymaker, or toxicologist. This program also sets students up strongly for roles in education and research. These are just a few of the options—the opportunities for careers with this program stretch far and wide.
Featured Courses
EEB 353 Comparative Vertebrate Biology
In this course, students study vertebrate animals, including identification, phylogeny, ecology and structural, behavioral, and physiological adaptations. This lab portion of this course emphasizes the local diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater fish.
BCMB 415 Foundations in Neurobiology
Students will learn basic nerve cell physiology, nervous system organization, sensory and motor systems, neural basis of behavior, and nervous system development and plasticity.
MICR 305 Global Emerging Infectious Diseases and One Health
In this course, students will learn the fundamental concepts in global emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases with One Health perspective. Emphasis on epidemiology, genetics, transmission, evolution, and ecology of human pathogens.
MICR 431 Advanced Immunology
This course consists of an evaluation of current immunological research and methods used to examine the evolution of the innate and adaptive immune responses, the role of microbial communities in host health, as well as the development of vaccines, cancer therapeutics, and allergy/autoimmunity treatments.
Complementary Majors, Minors, and Certificates
Looking to enhance your degree? Consider these programs as a complement to your primary major.
- Statistics minor (College of Arts and Sciences)
- Psychology minor
Looking For More Options?
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline.
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