After you’ve chosen biology as your course of study, you then have to decide which degree is right for you. A biology BA vs BS tends to raise the most questions. After all, you want to make sure the four hard years of work you put in pays off as you intended.
Let’s explore the difference between the two types of degrees and their end uses.
BA in Biology
A bachelor of arts (BA) degree includes more liberal arts core courses than major courses. As such, these classes may include communications, art, foreign language or humanities. This appeals to those who have broad interests outside of their major. But don’t worry, you will still take plenty of biology related courses.
So, which jobs could you qualify for with a BA in biology? A few of those jobs could be:
- Middle/high school teacher
- Laboratory technician
- Scientific writer
- Research manager
Luckily, all of these jobs are expected grow steadily over the next eight years.
BS in Biology
This type of degree is much more specialized than a BA. A bachelor of science (BS) is niche focused and delves deep into major course studies. A BS in biology is very technical yet practical in nature. That said, it is geared toward those who are interested in the more scientific studies. Since you’ll spend most of your credit hours in major coursework, that means you’ll have less opportunity to explore courses outside of those directly related to biology.
Like its BA counterpart, a BS in biology can uncover an array of job opportunities. Those include:
- Pharmacologist
- Microbiologist
- Biochemist
- Environmental scientist
Of course, this is also the degree you’d want if you intend to apply to medical school. Nonetheless, the world will always have a need for people who have an intimate knowledge of biology and understand how to apply it practically. Thus, the job outlook for this field is also projected to be strong.
Best Colleges for Biology Degrees
Now that you’ve made the decision to pursue a biology degree, it’s time to look at colleges that offer degrees for that major. To help you along in the process, we’ve compiled a list of the top four colleges for biology degrees.
- George Mason University: GMU offers both a BA and BS in biology. Should you pursue the BS route, you can choose between five areas of concentration.
- West Virginia University: Offering both a BA or BS in biology, WVU offers a strong program in both areas. Unlike GMU, you can choose an area of concentration with either degree.
- Florida State University: FSU offers both a BA and BS in biological science. Their program offers the opportunity to customize your biological science degree in areas like ecology, marine biology or evolution and environmental science.
- Eastern Kentucky University: Offering a BS in biology, EKU offers concentrations like aquatic biology, teaching and general biology.
In addition, there are numerous schools that offer an online biology degree, as well. If you’re interested in learning more about online biology degrees, visit https://biologywise.com/online-biology-degree.
In conclusion, there are plenty of universities offering programs to earn your biology degree. Now, it’s up to you to weigh the difference between a biology BA vs BS. Think about your goals and which career track interests you the most. Then, make your educated decision, and get to work!
