Science & Mathematics

Biology (BS)

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Bring fresh thinking to healthcare and research.

Apply your natural curiosity and passion for living things to a career in healthcare or scientific research. With a focus on hands-on lab work, technical training, and independent research, our BS in Biology will prepare you to blaze a trail in the sciences as an environmental educator, marine biologist, pharmaceutical researcher, brain researcher, and many more possibilities.

Our dynamic program provides pathways for you to pursue everything from pre-health to urban ecology to independent research projects. You'll work alongside professors who combine expertise in the natural world with experience in the practical world to help you guide your curiosity as you pursue your enthusiasm for biology. You’ll also be prepared for graduate-level programs in fields like biological research, life sciences, medicine, physical therapy, and physician's assistant.

Through lab experiences, an off-site internship, and a capstone research project, you’ll build the scientific and cutting-edge laboratory research skills needed to be successful in graduate or professional school or break into the scientific research world. With experience in places like the Museum of Science, Earthwise Aware, Harvard Brain Tissue and Resource Center, Emerson Practice Associates, and many more, you'll forge a unique path to a successful career.

While at Lesley, you’ll also benefit from small, engaging classroom experiences and faculty-led research opportunities. Working side-by-side with our faculty-researchers, you’ll use your creativity to ask big questions, design experiments, and think critically about the results. With our reimagined general education curriculum, you'll be more deeply engaged in 21st-century issues facing humankind, ensuring you are a socially responsible biologist. And from doing research on actual biological problems or by examining real issues in Cambridge, Boston and beyond, you’ll graduate with your finger on the pulse of current scientific, health and community challenges.

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

Required Core: Biology (28+ Credits)
- Develop a strong foundation in biology with these required core courses.
Required Core: Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (27 Credits)
- Rigorous coursework in chemistry, physics, and mathematics expands your knowledge of science and helps prepare you for post-graduate success.
Capstone (3 Credits)
- You will complete a science research project of interest to you in this project-based course.
Internship (6 Credits)
- Examine your field of study in depth, develop clear career goals, and gain practical skills that can be applied directly to future professional goals.
General Education (42 Credits)
- Take a variety of courses for Lesley’s new outcome-based General Education program. You'll develop skills and perspectives that will help you to succeed in an increasingly complex global context, and to create a more just, humane, and sustainable world. General Education courses you take may count toward your major or minor.
Free Electives
- With your remaining credits, try out different courses in subject areas you want to explore, or maybe major or minor in another subject.

View Program of Study

Thinking about transferring here?

Get funding for your research.

Through Lesley’s Undergraduate Research Fund, you can apply to receive grants for independent research in areas that interest you or for presenting your findings at local and national conferences.

José Gonzalez ’13

Through his work at the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center at Mass General Hospital, José is playing a part in studies that could ultimately lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s and other diseases.

Read José's Story

BS in Biology

Jared Winston ’13

At Lesley, we strive to balance the demands of academics with the demands of athletics, encouraging students to excel at both. So as a biology major and student-athlete during his time at Lesley, it’s no coincidence Jared’s two passions led him to the path of becoming a physical therapist.

“Primarily my patients are dealing with orthopedic issues…but I also see patients who have neurological or cardiovascular impairments, like patients who have suffered a stroke," says the former Lynx soccer star. “Eventually,” says Jared, “I want to own my own clinic that focuses on complex musculoskeletal conditions, such as a recent loss of limb. These are especially challenging…emotionally as well as physically.”

Gain Skills and Expertise

Here's a taste of what you'll learn in our biology program:

Make observations, ask questions, test predictions, and evaluate the results.
Explore the complexity of living systems from molecules to ecosystems.
Design and conduct your own scientific experiments and develop expertise in data analysis.
Know how your discipline fits into local, national, and global issues, and see how to use your skills to make change.
Pursue philosophical questions about the nature of our existence and help to change the world with science.
Gain hands-on science experience through laboratory work and internships.
Hone communication skills including writing, editing, and giving presentations.

Craft Creative Combinations

As a Biology major, you can pursue a second major or one of our 45+ minors—in art & design or a liberal arts subject—to expand your career opportunities.

Forge your own path with a creative combination:

Biology + Illustration = Forensic Artist
Biology + Business Management = Pharmaceutical Entrepreneur
Biology + English = Technical Writer

Pink chemistry vials lined up for science class.

Preparing for a career in healthcare

Be better prepared for professional health programs and the MCAT. At Lesley, you'll benefit from our strength in social and behavioral science and personal guidance from our pre-health advisor.

Come visit us in-person or virtually.

Visit Lesley

Flatlay of lab kits with each item labeled

Recreating the lab experience at home

Faculty and staff curated 170 unique lab packages for students to bring science alive during the pandemic and remote learning.

Read about the lab kits.

Applying to Lesley

Lesley University is SAT Blind

We know that a single standardized test can't sum up your accomplishments and abilities. That's why we don't require SAT scores when you apply. Instead, we'll focus on the strength of your application, including your essay and activities.

Alumni Satisfaction

Ranked #20

by alumni

According to a survey published in Forbes, Lesley ranks #20 nationwide for providing a high-quality education that is worth the cost.

View the survey results.

The Double Lynx Scholarship pays big.

Every student who earns an undergraduate degree from Lesley is eligible to receive 12 graduate credits toward any master's degree we offer, 100% free. That's potentially over $16,200.

Read all about it.

Is our BA in Biology option right for you?

If you’re planning to double major in education or another liberal arts subject, you may want to consider our BA in Biology program.

Explore the BA in Biology Program

Undergraduate Programs

92%

of our 2020 graduating class is employed or furthering their education.

students from an environmental science class outside in a group

Small College, Big University

Within the dynamic environment of a larger university, you'll receive the personalized education of a small liberal arts college of 1,300 students and hands-on attention from specialized faculty. In our mathematics and science programs, you'll build your critical thinking, observational, and analytical skills to help solve the world's complex problems.

Careers

Where You Could Work

Greater Boston has some of the best opportunities for careers in biology and related fields. The top employers for graduates with a biology degree include:

Massachusetts General Hospital
Joslin Diabetes Center
Moderna Therapeutics
Amgen
Parexel
Sanofi Aventis
Biogen
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Pfizer
Merck & Company
Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Careers

Jobs You Could Have

Professional opportunities in biology are expanding, and healthcare and biological research are two of Greater Boston's fastest-growing industries. Top entry-level job titles for someone with a BS in Biology degree include:

Laboratory Assistant
Biotech Research
Clinical Research Associate
Medical Writer or Illustrator
Field Biologist
Scientist
Pharmaceutical sales
PT or OT Assistant
Park Ranger
Clinical Assistant
Environmental Scientist

Cambridge is our campus. Boston is our neighbor.

Whether you're pursuing environmental studies, biology, or another science or math major, you'll take classes on our three beautiful Cambridge campuses. Work alongside faculty researchers in our state-of-the-art science lab and benefit from being in Cambridge, home to 200+ companies and incubator labs that are studying life sciences and clean energy. Discover the Cambridge and Boston area—a dynamic hub of internships, professional opportunities, service work, culture, and fun that few other cities can match.

Find out more about Cambridge and Boston.

Faculty

View Full Program Cost

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program. Tuition and fees are for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Financial Aid

Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal, state, and university funding.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions and get your customized application guide.

Apply Now

Biology (BS)

Bring fresh thinking to healthcare and research.

Program Structure

Preparing for a career in healthcare

Come visit us in-person or virtually.

Recreating the lab experience at home

Lesley University is SAT Blind

by alumni

The Double Lynx Scholarship pays big.

Is our BA in Biology option right for you?

of our 2020 graduating class is employed or furthering their education.

Small College, Big University

Cambridge is our campus. Boston is our neighbor.

Faculty

David Morimoto

Julie Shoemaker

Apply Now

Next steps to apply