Explore Diverse Options in Biology
Fuel your curiosity about the natural world and enroll in a biology major at GCU.
Written By
GCE Editorial Team
Fuel your curiosity about the natural world and enroll in a biology major at GCU.
A few of the types of biology degrees and majors include specialization options in pre-med, pre-pharmacy, pre-dentistry and pre-veterinary medicine. Students can also major in biology for secondary education.
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Approved and verified accurate by the Associate Dean of the College of Natural Sciences on Oct. 24, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
In some academic fields, there are typically few opportunities to specialize at the undergraduate level. Biology is different. As a baccalaureate student, you can choose from an incredibly diverse range of options.
These different types of biology majors at GCU are typically geared toward specific career fields, such as:
At GCU, you can even choose to specialize in molecular and cellular biology, or in teaching biology to secondary students.
Students who are thinking of pursuing a medical career often earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Medicine degree, often called a pre-med program. The coursework includes cellular biology, anatomy and physiology, math and chemistry, as well as other courses relevant to medical science. Students also explore topics in professionalism and ethics, scientific communication and evidence-based data analysis.
This degree program is designed to help students prepare for professional school admissions tests, such as the Dental Admission Test (DAT), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Optometry Admission Test (OAT) and others.
Students who want to become pharmacists should consider pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Pharmacy. In a pre-pharmacy program, students will explore topics like human physiology, cellular biology and pharmacology. The curriculum may also cover pathophysiology, microbiology, biochemistry and human anatomy.
A focus on pre-pharmacy is intended to prepare students to pursue admission to pharmacy schools.
A physician assistant (PA) is a medical provider who shares many of the same responsibilities as physicians, and who works collaboratively with medical doctors to provide patient care. Physician assistants can order diagnostic tests, diagnose illnesses and injuries, prescribe medications and perform some medical procedures.
Aspiring physician assistants should consider earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Physician Assistant degree. This degree program closely examines key topics in the field, including biological science and physical science, sociology, psychology, ethics in healthcare and global health.
If you’re passionate about helping others enjoy better dental health, consider earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Dentistry. Expect to examine topics not only in biology and microbiology, but also in neurobiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology, as well as human anatomy and physiology with a focus on head and neck anatomy.
The coursework in this degree program is designed to prepare graduates to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and apply to dental school. It’s worth noting that, like biology itself, there are many opportunities for specialization within the dental field.
Are you passionate about animals and interested in pursuing a career that would allow you to promote animal welfare? Consider earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Medicine degree. Designed to prepare students to pursue admission to veterinary schools, the coursework integrates foundational science courses with a focus on animal health.
Aspiring veterinarians can expect to study topics in microbiology, vertebrate zoology and physiology, nutrition for animals, animal behavior and animal pathophysiology.
Molecular biology involves the study of cells and how they work. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology covers a range of topics, such as the properties of organic compounds, the function of human organs, systems and cells, and the related pathologies. A molecular biology degree program will also explore topics such as microbial cell structure, gene inheritance and gene manipulation.
If you’re interested in sharing your passion for biology and its many areas of specialization with the next generation of students, you might consider earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology for Secondary Education degree, which leads to initial teacher licensure. This degree program blends together coursework in the natural sciences, as well as pedagogy.
Though this degree is a broad education of biology and teaching skills, this is a strong science degree. The coursework may examine topics such as how to manage a classroom, how to engage students and how to teach students with exceptionalities. It may also cover topics like data-driven instructional methods, curriculum development, student assessment methods and professional ethics in education. Students can expect to participate in a student teaching experience as part of the degree program.
Many students invest a great deal of time and effort into their degree program with the idea of pursuing a particular career path after graduation. It may indeed be possible to pursue an entry-level career after earning a biology degree, but many future professionals need additional schooling.
What comes after biology at the undergraduate level? The answer for some students may be either a professional school or a graduate school. Graduate school provides advanced education in a particular field, often in a specialty area. In contrast, professional school provides advanced knowledge and training for a specific career path.
Many students who earn a biology degree with an emphasis in a pre-professional program decide to go on to apply to a professional school. For example, a pre-med student might apply to medical school, while a pre-veterinary medicine graduate may apply to veterinary school. These types of professional schools typically combine didactic classroom instruction with hands-on training and supervised field practicums, which might also be called rotations.
Grand Canyon University is a compelling choice for students who wish to follow their passion for the sciences through the lens of the Christian perspective. With GCU’s biology majors, including the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, strive to prepare students to work toward the first step in their career paths.
Why major in biology? Earning a biology degree can support your curiosity about the natural world and all of the diverse living beings that inhabit it. Biology is a highly complex and broad field that encompasses everything from the vast ecosystem of the Amazon rainforests to the tiniest molecules.
Earning a biology degree may also open the door to a wide range of career fields. At Grand Canyon University, you can choose from many types of biology majors, including pre-med, pre-dentistry and pre-pharmacy emphases. These biology majors can fuel your academic interests while preparing you to pursue a STEM career.
If you aren’t sure which type of biology degree is best suited to you, it’s worth taking a look at all of your options. Examine the courses and curriculum for each degree and explore potential biology careers after graduation.