Bachelor of Arts in Biology (B.A.)

We designed the Bachelor of Arts in Biology to provide students with a well-rounded knowledge of fundamental concepts and research techniques at the ecosystem, organismal, physiological and molecular levels. It will prepare you for graduate study leading to careers in health professions, environmental professions, biological research or secondary school biology teaching. It will also prepare you for any post baccalaureate position requiring a degree in biological sciences. If you would like to pursue a career teaching high school biology, choose courses designated for pre-secondary education students (see requirements).  

Bachelor of Arts in Biology (Pre-Secondary Education)

Future biology teachers may choose to participate in the B.A.–M.A.T. program which is designed to help students make a smooth transition from their undergraduate program to the NLU Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Secondary Education program. In order to satisfy the standards for Biology Designation recommended by the Illinois State Board of Education and Earth/Space course is required in addition to the biology courses. Our curriculum provides the content courses required for admission to master’s degree programs in secondary education at universities and colleges in Illinois.

Career Opportunities

A biology degree opens doors to a variety of educational and career opportunities. You can:  work in a pharmaceutical company •  apply to professional programs like physician assistant, physical therapy, nursing, dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, dental hygiene or allied health field • teach high school biology (combine your biology program with an educational degree and a teaching certificate) • be part of a medical research team • work in environmental sciences and conservation • do quality control in the food industry • professional and industrial sales of pharmaceuticals, medical and scientific instruments and supplies • work at a museum • be a research technician • be a zookeeper • enter a graduate program in bioinformatics, microbiology, genetic engineering, horticulture, neurobiology, agronomy, animal science or any of dozens of new and exciting fields • teach in a private school • write about science  

Liberal Arts Studies Majors and Minors

See Liberal Arts Studies program for the complete program description. Biology courses that meet for non-standard durations (e.g., accelerated, field-based, intersession) may not count towards fulfillment of the degree without department approval.

Liberal Arts Studies Biology Major – 1. Students must complete 45qh of Biological Science courses, 25qh of which must be upper-level and a minimum of 15qh of the 25qh must be taken at NLU. 2. Students must complete a second 45qh major or two 30qh minors to earn this degree.

Liberal Arts Studies Biology Minor – Students completing 30qh of Biological Science courses will fulfill the requirement for a minor in Biology. A minimum of 10qh must be upper-level and taken at NLU.

Liberal Arts Studies Physical Science Major – 1. Students must complete 45qh of physical science courses, 25qh of which must be upper-level and a minimum of 15qh must be taken at NLU. These may consist of any combination of courses in Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science, Geology and Astronomy. 2. Students must complete a second 45qh major or two 30qh minors to earn this degree.

Liberal Arts Studies Physical Science Minor – Students completing 30qh of Physical Science courses will fulfill the requirement for a minor in Physical Science. A minimum of 10qh must be upper-level and taken at NLU.

Liberal Arts Studies Science Major – 1. Students must complete 45qh of Natural Science courses, 25qh of which must be upper-level and a minimum of 15qh must be taken at NLU. These may consist of any Physical or Biological science courses. 2. Students must complete a second 45qh major or two 30qh minors to earn this degree.

Liberal Arts Studies Science Minor – Students completing 30qh of science courses will fulfill the requirement for a minor in Science. A minimum of 10qh must be upper-level and taken at NLU. 

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet NLU's general admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate application checklist available online at www.nl.edu/applyonline.