Department of Biological Sciences
The Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University prepares students to study life across scales, from molecules, cells and microbes to organisms, ecosystems and evolutionary change.
Through classroom instruction, laboratory and field experiences and faculty-mentored research, students build the scientific foundation to pursue careers in health care, research, conservation, biotechnology, education and other fields that depend on a deep understanding of living systems.
Explore Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Programs
We offer undergraduate degrees designed to prepare students for professional schools, graduate study and careers in research, conservation, biotechnology, health care, education and related fields:
Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology
Bachelor of Science in Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology
Bachelor of Science in Organismal Biology
Students may also pursue formal options within these areas, including cell and molecular biology, microbiology, ecology, evolution and behavior, conservation and biodiversity, integrative biology, genetics and pre-veterinary medicine pathways.
Undergraduate students gain a strong foundation in biology while developing skills through laboratory courses, field experiences, faculty-led research, internships and study abroad opportunities.
Graduate Programs
Our Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programs provide research-focused training across the biological sciences, with opportunities to study living systems from ecosystems to individual molecules.
Graduate students join collaborative research groups, develop expertise in their chosen field and prepare for careers in academia, industry, government, conservation, education and the health sciences.
The department supports teaching and research through laboratory, field, computational and collection-based resources. Students and faculty have access to bioinformatic and computational tools, research instrumentation, museum and specimen collections and learning spaces that support work across the biological sciences.
The Auburn University Museum of Natural History and Donald E. Davis Arboretum provide additional opportunities for research, education, conservation and outreach, connecting students with collections, field experiences and the living natural world.
Biological Sciences students learn by doing. They work with faculty mentors, participate in research, engage in laboratory and field-based learning and prepare for careers that require scientific reasoning, communication and problem-solving.
The department also fosters a close academic community through research seminars, journal clubs, teaching experiences, student organizations and opportunities for professional development. Whether students are preparing for professional school, graduate study, industry, government service, teaching or conservation work, Biological Sciences provides a foundation for understanding and contributing to a living world.
Students in Biological Sciences build a foundation for careers across several broad areas, including:
- Health care, veterinary medicine and biomedical research
- Biotechnology, genetics, pharmacology and laboratory science
- Conservation, environmental protection, aquaculture and agriculture
- Public health, epidemiology, policy, law and regulation
- Science communication, education, museums, zoos and aquariums
