BS in Biological Sciences
BS in Biological Sciences
journey today.
The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree program at Grand Canyon University offers a science track focused on animal and environmental conservation, designed to help you pursue a career in STEM. This program could be a good fit for those curious about the natural world and aspire to improve the environment by applying biological principles. Earning a bachelor’s in biological sciences allows you to explore your passion for understanding the natural world and contribute to studying and preserving life on Earth.
This program takes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating fields such as conservation biology, chemistry, ecology and genetics. Students will be taught a well-rounded curriculum that merges instruction from experienced faculty with practical, hands-on learning opportunities. This combination is aimed at equipping graduates for early careers in the field.
At GCU, you will take faith-integrated courses that are rooted in a Christian worldview. We strive to deepen our students’ understanding of God and the universe, fostering inquiry at the intersection of faith and science.
Your faith may guide the way you approach complex thoughts, ideas and practices through scientific exploration and discovery. You will be expected to engage in discussions about ethics and values related to biological and natural science principles, as well as advanced topics that connect faith and science.
The GCU campus provides STEM-focused learning facilities that include fully equipped labs. From the start of your program, you will have access to lab equipment and tools that support experiential learning. You can benefit from face-to-face learning interactions and you may also enjoy all that our vibrant campus culture has to offer.
The BS in Biological Sciences curriculum introduces you to general biology, chemistry and fundamental physics principles.
As you progress through the program, you will explore topics such as:
Genetics principles
Biodiversity analysis
Cross-disciplinary applications of biology
Basics of ecosystem science
Animal diversity, including vertebrates
Complexities of animal behavior
Conservation-focused biology
Lectures, Labs, Projects and Capstone
Many courses include both a lecture and a lab component, which can help you apply the theories and concepts taught in class to practical projects. The program concludes with a capstone course, allowing you to utilize what you have learned in a hands-on project focused on a specific area of interest within the biological sciences.
This degree is designed to prepare graduates to pursue careers in STEM fields. It also offers the foundation to further specialize within an area through graduate-level education. Options for graduate-level studies may include biological research, biotechnology, wildlife management and other related fields.
These career paths may have different requirements, and some may require further education, but a biological sciences bachelor’s degree can be a starting point from which to pursue a variety of career paths in science.
Potential career opportunities include:
Life, physical and social science technician
Natural sciences manager
Forensic science technician
Biological scientist
Agricultural technician
7%
Estimated job growth rate for biological technicians from 2023 to 20331
$51,430
Median annual wage for biological technicians in May 20232
Our mission is to deliver quality education to our students that prepares them to make a positive impact on their chosen field and their communities. GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The College of Natural Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about our BS in Biological Sciences degree to help you make an informed decision about your educational journey.
A biological scientist studies various forms of life and examines their relationships with one another and with the environment. Their research may aim to expand knowledge within their subfield or may involve applied research with the goal of using their findings to develop solutions to various problems. Since biological sciences is a broad field, there are many subfields a scientist may specialize in, such as zoology or microbiology.3
Although “biological sciences” and “biology” are often used interchangeably and are closely related, they are not exactly the same. Biology specifically focuses on living organisms, exploring their functions, structures, behavior, origin and evolution. It is a broad field that covers everything from the microscopic organization of cells to large ecosystems, such as oceans. As far-ranging as biology is, biological sciences have an even wider scope. This umbrella term includes multiple related disciplines, such as genetics, ecology, zoology and microbiology.4
Majoring in biological sciences could be a good choice for students interested in understanding living organisms, the natural world and environmental conservation. It provides a strong foundation in biology, chemistry and scientific principles that apply to practical scenarios. The curriculum may involve extensive laboratory work, research and analysis of scientific data. This major serves as a solid prerequisite for advanced studies. It can be a worthwhile choice for those passionate about science and discovery.
After earning a bachelor’s in biological sciences, you may have the opportunity to explore a variety of career paths in areas like research, education and environmental conservation. Some potential career options could include positions as a life, physical and social science technician, a natural sciences manager or a biological scientist. Biological sciences majors may choose to further their education by pursuing a graduate degree in biology or related fields.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for natural sciences managers to increase by about 8% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 7,500 new jobs in the field.5 Furthermore, in May 2023, natural sciences managers had a median annual wage of $157,740, according to the BLS.6
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- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Biological Technicians, retrieved on Dec. 12, 2024.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Biological Technicians as of May 2023, retrieved on Dec. 12, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as biological technicians, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- StudentScholarships.org. (n.d.). What Biological Scientists Do. Retrieved Dec. 12, 2024.
- Foster, J. (2023, Nov. 5). Is Biological Science the Same as Biology? Comparing the Fields. Jamie Foster Science. Retrieved Dec. 12, 2024.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Natural Sciences Managers, retrieved on Dec. 12, 2024.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Natural Sciences Managers as of May 2023, retrieved on Dec. 12, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as natural sciences managers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.