Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

Overview

The B.S. Biological Sciences program reflects the Department’s belief that professional biologists, regardless of their ultimate focus in biology, benefit from sound undergraduate training in basic subdisciplines of biology and the supporting sciences of mathematics, chemistry, and physics.

After a year of Introductory Biology–which may be satisfied by AP credit–students choose four core biology courses, and take biology elective courses as soon as prerequisites are met. The program is highly flexible, allowing students to specialize in plant or animal biology, and in one or several subdisciplines, such as ecology, physiology, evolution, behavior, cell or developmental biology.

Your path to medicine can start here

Thinking about medical, dental, or another health professional school? A biological sciences degree at the University of Rhode Island already includes nearly all of the science courses those programs require and recommend. That means fewer extra classes and more time for research, clinical experience, and your application. URI’s pre-health advising team helps you plan the rest. They support URI students and recent alumni from their first year through applying to health profession programs.

  • Prerequisites built in: Most of the courses health profession schools require and recommend are already part of the biological sciences major, so you’ll need only a few additional classes.
  • Advising from day one: In their first year, URI pre-health students meet with Pre-Health Peer Advisors and work with their academic advisor to map out their remaining prerequisites.
  • Hands-on research: Work alongside faculty in their research labs and gain the kind of experience admissions committees look for.
  • A pre-health community: Join DocOpp, URI’s pre-med club, or the Pre-Dental and Pre-PA clubs, and learn from Pre-Health Peer Advisors who have been in your shoes.
  • Application support: Seniors go through URI’s Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) process and can attend personal statement workshops held with URI’s Writing Center.