When you major in biological sciences you can explore the living world—from molecules to ecosystems! You will have the opportunity to take an anatomy course that utilizes cadavers or study at the Cedar Point Biological Station that offers handson lab and field courses during the summer. You will put concepts of biology into real-world practice in a unique setting.
Requirements for the major include coursework in cellular and molecular biology, biodiversity, genetics, ecology and evolution. Beyond that, dive deep and explore your particular interests—microbiology, ecology, genetics or physiology— through research, coursework, and independent study directed by a faculty member.
Options
- Standard: students choose their own combination of advanced courses from subareas of cellular biology, organismal biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution
- Human Health and Disease: students combine a strong biological sciences education with a focus on the health and disease of humans
Academics + Experience = Opportunities
Complement academic preparation with experiential learning, creating more opportunities after graduation. Talk to an academic advisor and a career coach about making the most of your time at Nebraska.
Four-year success plan
What to do each year
Catalog
Major requirements and courses
Printable summary
With sample four-year schedule
Transferrable Career Skills
- Communicate results of scientific experiments to scientific and non-scientific audiences
- Read, understand, and critically review scientific information
- Design and implement research experiments
- Define problems and identifying causes
- Understand and use proper laboratory and technical skills and instruments
- Apply mathematical and scientific skills to solve real-world problems
- Collaborate with a team to develop solutions
- Confidently navigate complex, ambiguous projects and environments
- Document and replicate processes and procedures
- Examine problems from multiple perspectives
Experience
Experience is valuable and goes beyond the classroom. We strive to help you connect your academics with research, internships, education abroad, service learning and leadership experiences in biological sciences, such as:
- Interning with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
- Learn more about internships
- Researching in the Nebraska Center for Virology or the Center for Biotechnology
- Learn more about undergraduate research
- Studying abroad in Costa Rica with the Organization for Tropical Studies
- Learn more about education abroad
- Serving as the Biology Club president
- Learn more about getting involved in student organizations
- Volunteering for the Alzheimer's Association of Nebraska
- Learn more about service learning
Opportunities
Biology is a broad field providing numerous, diverse career options. You may choose to continue on to professional school for a career in clinical healthcare or work in public health, health policy or health care administration. You might choose to work as a food industry researcher, conservationist or zookeeper. You can also explore the pharmaceutical realm in sales or production. Biomedical research, genetic counseling and bioinformatics are additional career options.
Examples of Alumni Careers
- Clinical Data Quality Specialist, Celerion, Inc.
- DNA Lab Tech, Geneseek
- Epidemiology Preparedness Coordinator, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
- Forestry Aid, U.S. Forest Service
- Hospital Generalist, Pathology Medical Services
- Mental Health Tech, Touchstone
- Produce Safety Coordinator, Montana Department of Agriculture
- Scientist, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research
- Veterinary Assistant, Animal Care Clinic
- Zookeeper, Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo
Examples of Graduate Schools Attended by Alumni
- Medical Doctor, University of Nebraska Medical School
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University
- Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, Briar Cliff University
- Master's Degree, Clinical Laboratory Science, St. Luke's
- Master's Degree, Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Doctor of Optometry, Southern College of Optometry
- Master's Degree, Food Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Master's Degree, Business Administration, Bellevue University
- Master's Degree, Physician Assistant, University of Nebraska Medical Center
“As a biology major who wants to go into the field of genetics, I have been able to learn more about the underlying processes behind how cells operate as defined by their genetic code.”
Emma Farson
Biological Sciences at Nebraska
Biological sciences is a sciences major in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Our liberal arts degrees provide a broad education across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, preparing students for a variety of careers.
Let curiosity move you.
Contact Us
Academic and Career Advising Center
107 Oldfather Hall
402-472-4190
casadvising@unl.edu