Your Biology Degree Comes with Many Opportunities

Dive into one of the fastest growing areas of science. Biology is the study of life—everything from the cell structure and function of animals and plants to protection and sustainability of ecosystems and natural resources, to medicine, including molecular and genetics research. You can focus your biology degree on a wide range of specializations that suit your interests. No matter what you choose, Nova Southeastern University’s courses in biological and physical sciences will prepare you for research, teaching and graduate work in health professions and natural sciences.

Imagine doing research on bacterial resistance, parasitology, virology, brain structure and function and human microbiome or shark genetics. At NSU, you can do all that and more. NSU’s B.S. in Biology offers you countless opportunities to practice hands-on research. You’ll work in lab facilities with high-tech equipment and gain access to exclusive internships that can provide useful insight into your future career. Scientific research is not only crucial for advancement in our society, but is also a rewarding career for our graduates. NSU gives you an edge.

Why Should You Major in Biology at NSU?

Become a Health Care Professional, Teacher or Researcher

With your biology degree, you have career opportunities in almost any sector, from research and education to government, business and law. This broad interdisciplinary field qualifies you to pursue roles such as biomedical researcher, dentist, educator, ecologist, marine biologist, nutritionist, pharmacist, optometrist, physical therapist, physician, nurse, science writer, genetic counselor, forensic biologist and more.

Learn more about Career Preparation

Average Starting Salary

According to a 2020 report from PayScale.com, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in biology make an average of $70,868 per year.

Shark Destinations

Many NSU biology alumni continue their studies to obtain an advanced degree from schools like NSU’s College of Dental Medicine, College of Pharmacy the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, and others. The majority of our graduates pursue careers in health care and medicine. You’ll find NSU biology alumni at companies and organizations like*:

  • Scribe America
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Vitas Healthcare
  • CVS Pharmacy
  • LabCorp
  • Primary Care Physicians of Florida
  • Risa Dental Center Inc.
  • Mercy Hospital
  • Memorial Healthcare System
  • DaVita Dialysis
  • Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
  • Mount Sinai Medical Center
  • Zimmer Biomet
  • Baptist Health

*Data provided by NSU’s Office of Career Development

During your undergraduate studies, you’ll have a number of hands-on opportunities to gain real world experience..

Case competitions are one of our most popular opportunities for pre-health majors. A case competition starts with a fictitious or real “problem.” Students then work individually or in teams to identify possible solutions and present them to a panel of judges. Each competition provides incentives for both the winners and participants, in addition to earning an ExEL unit credit.

Past Case Competitions

Clinic Exploration Program

The Clinic Exploration Program (CEP) offers students the opportunity to shadow medical professionals on the job in many of NSU’s medical and health clinics. Program participants gain a broad perspective that shows how various medical fields work together and a practical, up-close review of several medical career options.

All undergraduate students may take part in CEP, no matter what major they pursue. Each rotation lasts two hours per week, for three weeks. Because this is a volunteer program, member commitments are flexible and voluntary.

Who Can Participate

Any NSU undergraduate student in good standing who wants to participate in CEP must:

  • have a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • be registered for classes
  • complete OSHA and HIPAA trainings
  • be curious about various health professions
  • conform to scheduled assignments, dress codes, and other professional responsibilities

How to Enroll

  • complete the Clinic Exploration Program Application
  • schedule and complete OSHA blood-borne pathogen safety training
  • take HIPAA Privacy and Security training
  • Students are offered the opportunity to participate in CEP each semester. Registration for the program is open during the previous semester.

Participating Clinics

  • Athletic Training
  • Audiology
  • Dentistry
  • Internal Medicine
  • Optometry
  • Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
  • Pediatrics

Additionally, biology majors enjoy exclusive internships at MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Austria at Graz. Biology students also regularly complete internships at the Cleveland Clinic, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Cano Health, Scribe America, The Scripps Research Institute, Rumbaugh Institute of Cancer Research, Atlantis: Pre Med Fellowship Program, Oakridge National Laboratory, West Boca Medical Center, A-Z Dental, Calenda Eye Care Center, Clear Vision Center of South Florida, NSU’s Cell Therapy Institute and more.

Learn more about Experiential Learning

Reserve your seat in one of NSU’s graduate or professional schools while you earn your bachelor’s degree. With NSU’s Dual Admission program, you don’t have to worry about competing with thousands of other students for a spot in a highly selective graduate program. This Premier Program gives you an opportunity to get a head start on your career, so you can start earning sooner.

Dual Admission Programs

Your NSU professors are dedicated to ensuring that you have a great academic experience. They regularly review the curriculum to make updates that give you an edge in today’s ever-changing world. As an NSU Biology major, some sample courses that you could take include Systems and Synthetic Biology, Human Embryology, Immunology and Genomics. Visit the B.S. in Biology curriculum to view detailed course descriptions and plans of study.

View Curriculum

Integrating minors across the arts and science curricula allows NSU's Halmos College undergraduates to be creative and critical thinkers through their diverse learning experiences. You’ll gain fresh perspectives by thinking experientially as well as experimentally.