by our College Data Analytics TeamBiological and Biomedical Sciences is a wide and diverse field with many opportunities to specialize. Aside from the traditional majors available, there are opportunities to focus in on areas of specific interest. For example, you could pursue Ethology, the study of animal behavior, or Chronobiology, the study of the effects that low temperatures have on living organisms. Another option is Ethnobiology, the study of past and present human interactions with the environment and the use of flora and fauna. You could also combine your studies with education in order to become a certified teacher in biology.
These very specific, yet interesting fields are not offered at every college. If you have a particular biological interest you need to check to make sure that your college offers that program.
The courses that you will take will vary depending on what you field you choose to study. However, most majors in this field will involve classes like biology, chemistry, advanced mathematics, genetics, biochemistry, and specialized biology classes like marine biology.
In 2020-2021, biological and biomedical sciences (other) was the 148th most popular major nationwide with 4,420 degrees awarded. This represents a 13.0% increase in biomedical science degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 3,845.
Our 2023 Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Other) Schools ranking analyzes 65 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for biological and biomedical sciences (other) students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biomedical science programs later in this article.
Two traits of a successful student in the biology field are dedication and hard work. You need patience when working on difficult problem sets or performing repetitive tasks in the lab. Your dedication will pay off when you finally understand how to apply the correct formulas or when the tedious lab work reveals an exciting result.
Communication is essential to success when collaborating with peers and your professors. Talking and listening are important when working with other people, but so is writing clearly and coherently. You will be required to write many research papers and lab reports; work on clear and concise writing to make complex information easy to understand.
Strong math and science skills will be very helpful in this field. You need to be able to think critically and analyze data constantly. Time management is essential to success. Many hours will be spent in the lab as well as additional hours reading for the lecture and completing practice problems. Biology is a competitive field that involves rigorous work. However, curious and dedicated students often find success.
biological and biomedical sciences (other) degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic biological and biomedical sciences (other) program qualifications, to serve in some biomedical science careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Biomedical Science degree levels vary. Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Other) programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest biomedical science degree you can get. Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Other) programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to biomedical science, with approximately 32.7% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for biomedical science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 30.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 25.5% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 19.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 13.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 3.7% |
About 56.1% of workers in careers related to biomedical science obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in biological and biomedical sciences (other) have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the biomedical science career you are seeking.
There are many different career paths that can be chosen in the biological science field. Many students may advance their education with a graduate degree. Some become doctors, nurses, pharmacists or veterinarians. Other graduates work in related fields as lab scientists or researchers.
Less traditional career paths can include occupations such as teaching, crime scene investigation, quality analysis or independent research. These careers allow for you to follow the direction in biology that truly interests you. Depending on what career you chose more education may be necessary. Salaries can vary depending on what field you pursue and if you obtain an advanced degree.
Want a job when you graduate with your biomedical science degree? Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Other) careers are expected to grow 11.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biological and biomedical sciences (other).
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Professors | 71,700 | 15.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Biological Scientists | 41,800 | 8.0% |
| Life Scientists | 9,700 | 9.0% |
Recently graduated biological and biomedical sciences (other) students earned an average of $33,626 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $13,898 to as high as $66,765. As you might expect, salaries for biomedical science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for biological and biomedical sciences (other) graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers biomedical science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
| Life Scientists | $89,150 |
| Biological Scientists | $83,600 |
With over 207 different biomedical science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased biomedical science school rankings to help you with this.
One of 14 majors within the Biological & Biomedical Sciences area of study, Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Other) has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Biology | 107,165 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology | 14,535 |
| Neurobiology & Neurosciences | 11,615 |
| Physiology & Pathology Sciences | 8,813 |
| Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology | 7,247 |
