As a biology major, you will gain the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking needed for a successful career in modern biology and related fields.

At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    BS

Get Started

What courses will you take?

Research Opportunities: Start working in a biology research lab as early as your first year.

The B.S. in Biological Sciences offers several degree options, which lead to a wide range of career opportunities.

  • General Biology Option — Gain a broad foundation in the biological sciences, and customize your curriculum by selecting advanced course electives that match your interests and career goals. This option provides all the requirements for students pursuing health professions. Courses for the General Biology Option
  • Bioinformatics Option — Take basic biology and computer science courses, along with advanced courses in bioinformatics and biology electives. You will graduate prepared for professional or academic careers in bioinformatics, comparative genomics, proteomics, molecular modeling, and biological database analysis and management. Learn more about the Bioinformatics Option and courses
  • Biotechnology Option — Take a set of advanced courses designed to provide the conceptual background and practical training needed for a career in biotechnology, genetic engineering, bioinformatics, industrial microbiology, cell culture technology, and the manufacture and purification of diagnostics and other biologically relevant materials. Learn more about the Biotechnology Option and courses
  • Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Option — Gain a strong foundation in the basic sciences of biology, chemistry and physics, as well as advanced courses in ecology, evolutionary biology and environmental biology, functional comparative biology and biomechanics. You will be ready to launch a career or graduate study in such fields as ecology and evolution, environmental biotechnology, conservation biology, public health, toxicology, bioremediation and biological assessment of environmental quality. Learn more about the Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Option and courses
  • Pre-Medical/Pre-Health Option — Take all the necessary prerequisite courses to apply to medical, dental, veterinary, optometry, pharmacy and podiatry schools, as well as physician assistant programs. The program offers a strong foundation, with basic courses in biology alongside a variety of health-related biology electives. Learn more about the Pre-Medical/Pre-Health Option and courses

In the senior year, you can choose to conduct a research capstone project. Many research projects lead to student-authored publications in professional journals and presentations at scientific meetings.

Visit the Academic Catalog for a complete course listing and to learn about the Biology minor.

Visit the Academic Catalog for all degree pathways, including those from prior enrollment years.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Start working in a biology research lab as early as your first year.

A graduate in Biological Sciences will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of biological molecule chemistry to function at the molecular, cellular, tissue and organismal levels.
  2. Identify basic intracellular functions and predict intracellular responses to extracellular and environmental cues.
  3. Describe how regulation of genome expression dictates molecular and cellular structure and function.
  4. Apply knowledge of the nature of mutations and the laws governing their inheritance to explain how they affect phenotypes.
  5. Explain how mutations and environment interact in a population to affect the gene pool, and resultant effects on a population.
  6. Apply knowledge of metabolic pathway regulation and the energy requirements of a cell, to predict the activity and end product of metabolic pathways.
  7. Recognize the organismal diversity of life on Earth and explain the processes that have given rise to this diversity over time.
  8. Apply knowledge of ecological, environmental and evolutionary processes to understand conservation needs of species, communities and ecosystems.
  9. Understand how biological processes are inextricably intertwined with geophysical processes, and appreciate that human activities are both dominant drivers of global climate and environmental change and are impacted by that change.
  10. Design an experiment and analyze experimental data.

Why study biology at UMass Lowell?

Two students wearing lab coats and goggles work with lab equipment

Technical Training

Gain hands-on technical training with specialized techniques, including: 

  • Electron microscopy
  • Recombinant DNA technology
  • Cell culture
  • Computer applications
  • Tools widely used in biochemistry
Student in a canoe that is filled with plants in containers

Research Opportunities

Participate in our faculty’s cutting-edge research, including such areas as:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cancer biology
  • Environmental microbiology
  • Virology
  • Climate change biology
  • Biology education
Two male biology students in a UMass Lowell lab, experimenting on a red substance.

Pre-Med/Pre-Health Professional Training

Our programs satisfy entrance requirements for schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, osteopathic medicine, optometry, podiatry, and chiropractic. Learn more about our Pre-Health Professionals Advising.

Biology student writes a formula on a whiteboard

Fun Outside the Classroom

Put your learning into practice. Check out some of the fun ways UML students come together.

What can you do with a degree in biology?

Graduates of UMass Lowell's Biology program are equipped to launch careers in biotechnology, medicine, ecology and other life science fields. Our students are also prepared for admission to professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy.

Biology research female putting liquid in test tube

Alumni of our program have worked at:

  • Pfizer
  • Millipore
  • Broad Institute
  • UMass Medical
  • Novartis
  • Mass Eye & Ear
  • MIT
  • Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

Meet Our Faculty & Students

Payal Patel sits in front of laptop
Payal Patel '21
Biology, UTeach

When Payal Patel started college as an engineering major, she missed tutoring and teaching – so she decided to make education her career.

At UMass Lowell, you have that flexibility to change your career path.
Read More About Payal Patel 
Caryn McCowan at the beach.
Caryn McCowan '11
Biology

An interest in genomics took Caryn McCowan ’11 from researching spiders to working at a canine genetics company.

Everything that I’ve worked on has turned out to be steppingstones for the role I’m in now.
Read More About Caryn McCowan 
Deepshikha Ananthaswamy presents with a screen behind her showing a diagram of chromatin remodeling, which controls gene expression, and the words Ananthaswamy et al (in prep).
Deepshikha Ananthaswamy '22, '24
Biological Sciences, Biotechnology Option

Research experience and an internship solidified Deepshikha Ananthaswamy’s interest in biotechnology.

I love the atmosphere at UMass Lowell.
Read More About Deepshikha Ananthaswamy 
Aaron Stella
Michael Doane '19
Chemical Engineering, Biology

Honors student Michael Doane has won several prestigious fellowships and scholarships for his cancer-related and biofuel research. He says UMass Lowell does a great job of structuring both classes and learning experiences that build on one another.

There are so many different programs and entities that all build on each other and combine to give you anything you’re willing to get out of your undergraduate experience.
Read More About Michael Doane 
Ralph St. Louis in front of his classroom
Ralph Saint-Louis ’18, ’20
Biology and UTeach

Ralph Saint-Louis ’18, ’20 was recognized by Time Magazine as one of its 2022 Innovative Teachers.

I always knew that I wanted to teach.
Read More About Ralph Saint-Louis 

Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Biology - Lee Lab

  • At UMass Lowell, you can start working in a real research lab as early as your first year.