When choosing a country for higher education, the USA is a popular option for international students. According to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors 2025 report, U.S. colleges and universities hosted 1,177,766 international students during the 2024–2025 academic year. The country also offers a broad selection of universities and biology programs, including programs at some of the best American universities.
This article ranks 17 universities offering biology programs in the United States. The ordering considers current subject-level standing in biological and life sciences, along with the breadth of biology-related study and research represented by each institution.
Top Schools Offering Biology in the USA
1. Harvard University
Established in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
Harvard’s Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology supports undergraduate study through the Molecular and Cellular Biology concentration. The university also offers a Ph.D. program in Molecular and Cellular Biology with an area of study in Molecules, Cells and Organisms.
The department researches and teaches how the collective behavior of molecules and cells forms the basis of life. It also values collaborative approaches to scientific inquiry, with connections between people helping to support interdisciplinary science.
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology was founded in 1861. MIT has stated that the institution was founded partly to improve U.S. industrial output, reflecting its longstanding focus on applying scientific and technical knowledge to practical challenges.
MIT Facts currently lists 106 Nobel laureates among the institute’s selected honors.
MIT Biology’s undergraduate curriculum emphasizes fundamental principles and emerging approaches in biology, with particular attention to molecular and cellular biology. Coursework emphasizes methods and scientific reasoning rather than memorizing a fixed set of facts.
MIT Biology’s graduate program is doctoral. The department does not offer a standalone master’s degree in Biology.
3. Stanford University
Stanford University was founded in 1885 by Leland Stanford and Jane Stanford. As of autumn 2025, the university reported 7,289 undergraduate students and 10,025 graduate students. Stanford’s history also includes the 1906 earthquake, which destroyed several campus buildings.
The university’s Department of Biology is part of the Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences. Its undergraduate biology major offers several subplans, ranging from biochemistry and biophysics to neuroscience. Students begin with foundational courses, laboratory courses, and breadth courses in subjects such as chemistry, mathematics, physics, statistics, and computer science.
Stanford’s coterminal master’s program is intended for current Stanford undergraduates who want to earn a master’s degree in Biology while completing their undergraduate studies. The department also offers a Ph.D. program for students seeking an advanced degree in Biology. Its Student Services Office lists inclusivity, advocacy, accountability, and integrity among its core values.
4. Yale University
Yale University was founded in 1701 as the Collegiate School. In 1718, it was renamed Yale College in recognition of Elihu Yale’s donation of books and goods.
For undergraduate students, Yale offers four majors in the biological sciences: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; and Neuroscience.
For doctoral students, Yale’s Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences serves as the admissions gateway and first-year academic home for students interested in 12 Ph.D. programs. These include Immunobiology, Pharmacology, and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.
Yale describes modern biology as the study of life at multiple scales, from individual molecules and cells to organisms and ecological networks. Faculty members and students use methods drawn from biology as well as chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and medicine.
5. University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles offers Biology through its Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Located in Los Angeles, California, the department provides undergraduate and graduate education. The Biology major allows students to select courses across life and physical science departments, supporting broad scientific study and preparation for health-related fields.
The Biology BS includes introductory life sciences, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and statistics. Upper-division students complete two courses in each of five core areas covering evolution and genetics, information flow, structure and function, energy and matter, and systems. At least two laboratory courses are required, including one upper-division departmental laboratory course, and approved research can contribute toward the major.
Graduate degrees include a PhD in Biology and an MS in Biology specializing in Ecology and Evolution of Medicine. The two-year master’s applies ecological and evolutionary principles to health and disease, combining coursework with medical experiences and a comprehensive examination. Doctoral training provides a separate route into original biological research through advanced study and dissertation work.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of California, Los Angeles Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Thai Quynh Anh Nguyen
Visiting researcher, David Geffen School of Medicine
2014–2015 | Contributed to developing peptide-based drugs targeting misfolded p53 proteins in ovarian cancer. | — |
6. New York University
New York University offers biology through its Department of Biology in New York City. Undergraduate education is housed in the College of Arts and Science, while graduate degrees are offered through the Graduate School of Arts and Science. The programs cover biological mechanisms alongside quantitative and computational approaches to studying living systems.
The BA in Biology begins with foundational courses such as Principles of Biology, general chemistry with laboratory work, and calculus. Students then progress to advanced biological coursework, building on their introductory scientific preparation. The curriculum provides a route into more specialized study while retaining the broader academic requirements of a liberal arts degree.
The MS in Biology requires 36 credits and is available through full-time or part-time study. Core courses include Molecular Systems and Cellular Systems, with advanced options in fields such as genetics, genomics, microbiology, immunology, and neuroscience. Training also develops computational and statistical skills. The Biology PhD adds research-focused training, examinations, a scientific research proposal, and a dissertation based on original investigation.
What Current Students / Alumni of New York University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Muhammad Ali
Master’s in Biology
Focus: Computational Biology and Machine Learning | Moved from undergraduate wet-lab biosciences into computational biology and machine learning, undertaking AI-for-biology research during his two-year master’s. | Reports that NYU’s academic training and computing resources supported research and helped him develop as a scientist. |
7. Duke University
Situated in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University traces its institutional history to Trinity College. Trinity College relocated to Durham in 1892 and was renamed Duke University in 1924.
Duke’s Department of Biology offers a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and a minor. Students can also select from 12 optional concentration areas.
Undergraduate learning opportunities include classroom experiences, hands-on learning in the field and laboratory, independent study, and research. Duke Biology also offers a flexible Ph.D. program in the biological sciences. Graduate students spend much of their time conducting research and have opportunities to collaborate with researchers from a range of fields.
8. University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison offers a Biology major through both the College of Letters and Science and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the university provides broad undergraduate preparation alongside graduate programs in Integrative Biology. Students can explore biological questions across molecular, organismal, and ecological scales.
The Biology BS requires at least 120 total degree credits. Major requirements include introductory biology, a foundation course, upper-level biological breadth, and laboratory or field research, supported by chemistry, physics, calculus, and statistics. Students may also choose the Evolutionary Biology named option. Within Letters and Science, the Biology major can be paired with either BA or BS degree requirements.
Graduate pathways include the MS and PhD in Integrative Biology. Master’s training incorporates original research and a thesis or research report. Graduate research areas include cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, neuroscience and physiology, ecology, evolution, and animal behavior. These programs allow students to pursue a more focused research direction after completing broad undergraduate biological training.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Wisconsin–Madison Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Dr. Heba Bedair
Postdoctoral research training
Spatial Ecology and Conservation | Received advanced training in species distribution modeling, GIS, remote sensing, and computational ecology while working in the SILVIS laboratory. | Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams and gained exposure to North American conservation research. She subsequently pursued ecological research at the USDA Forest Service’s International Institute of Tropical Forestry. |
9. Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University offers biology through the Department of Biology in its College of Arts and Sciences. Based in College Station, Texas, the department provides general biology degrees alongside specialized undergraduate programs and graduate research. Its research encompasses cellular, developmental, molecular, evolutionary, and organismal biology.
Students can pursue a BA or BS in Biology. The BS requires 120 credit hours and includes foundations in general biology, molecular and cell biology, genetics, chemistry, calculus, and statistics. The BA includes a required minor outside biology. Separately named undergraduate degrees include Molecular and Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Zoology, giving students alternatives to the general Biology major.
Graduate offerings include MS and PhD degrees in Biology, as well as MS and PhD degrees in Microbiology. Students undertake advanced study and research within their chosen discipline. Departmental research is supported by resources including the Microscopy and Imaging Center, animal-care facilities, and DNA-sequencing facilities in the Biological Sciences Complex, providing infrastructure for investigations at several biological scales.
What Current Students / Alumni of Texas A&M University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Asif Iqbal
PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Joined Spring 2024 | Researches drug delivery systems targeting different organs in animal models. His work includes in vitro and in vivo experiments, experimental design, and translational research. | Works as a graduate assistant while conducting doctoral research. He describes the Pharmaceutical Sciences program’s interdisciplinary environment as supporting collaboration in drug development and delivery. |
10. Brown University
Brown University offers biology in Providence, Rhode Island, through an academic community spanning several basic science departments. Its Biology concentration combines broad biological study with practical skills and experimental design. Undergraduate research opportunities extend across these departments, while graduate programs organize advanced training around particular biological disciplines.
Students can earn an AB in Biology or an ScB in Biology. Both cover cell and molecular biology, structure and function, and organismal biology, and require at least three courses with laboratory or fieldwork components. The ScB adds a thematic track and research requirements. Track choices include Immunopathology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Cell and Molecular Biology.
Graduate options include PhDs in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology and in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry. Both fields also provide fifth-year master’s pathways for Brown undergraduates. Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology offers an ScM, while Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry offers AM and ScM degrees. These master’s routes have specific eligibility conditions and should not be treated as unrestricted standalone Biology programs.
What Current Students / Alumni of Brown University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Rudy Utzschneider
MSc in Biotechnology
September 2023–May 2025 | Her thesis investigated pericyte responses to capillary stalling in a mouse model of APOE4-related Alzheimer’s dementia. Combined optical coherence tomography, two-photon microscopy, and behavioral testing. | Her supervisor gave her responsibility for choosing the target system and designing the mouse experiment, which initially felt daunting but developed her research independence. She combined imaging work from Johngwan Lee’s and Christopher Moore’s laboratories. |
11. Purdue University
Purdue University offers biological sciences through its College of Science at the West Lafayette campus in Indiana. The Department of Biological Sciences provides a general biology degree alongside specialized undergraduate programs and graduate research opportunities. Its subject coverage extends from molecular and cellular processes to neuroscience, physiology, ecology, and evolution.
Undergraduates can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology or specialized programs such as Genetics, Microbiology, and Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology. Foundational study combines biology with chemistry and mathematics, addressing cells, organisms, and populations. Laboratory instruction and advanced courses allow students to develop practical skills and explore areas including molecular biology, ecology, physiology, and neuroscience.
Purdue offers thesis and non-thesis Master of Science pathways in Biological Sciences. Both require 30 credits, but the thesis route includes research and an oral thesis defense, while the non-thesis route emphasizes coursework. The PhD requires 90 credits and a dissertation with an oral defense. Graduate research areas include genomics, microbiology and immunology, neuroscience and physiology, and structural and computational biology.
What Current Students / Alumni of Purdue University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Adebisi Ogunbawo
Master’s and doctoral study in Quantitative Genetics and Breeding | Served as a graduate research assistant during his master’s and continued into doctoral research in quantitative genetics and breeding. His master’s research supplied experience and preliminary data for a subsequent research proposal. | Finding an advisor with aligned research interests was a key requirement for his chosen program. He contacted prospective advisors to identify a suitable research group and mentor. |
12. University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame offers biological sciences through its College of Science in Notre Dame, Indiana. The Department of Biological Sciences investigates living systems from cells and organs to organisms and ecosystems. Research addresses subjects including infectious disease, cancer, organ regeneration, biodiversity, and climate change.
The undergraduate Biological Sciences major leads to a bachelor’s degree and has a four-year sample curriculum. Students combine a broad core with one of eight tracks for deeper study. Supporting science requirements include chemistry and laboratory work, while individualized advising helps students plan electives, additional majors or minors, and study abroad. Faculty-supervised research and an honors research program provide opportunities for further investigation.
The graduate program offers a PhD in Biological Sciences. Research is organized around biomedical sciences, global health, and ecology, evolution, and environmental biology. Doctoral students develop specialized research interests within these areas, drawing on the department’s work in human and environmental health. This provides a graduate route for students interested in sustained biological investigation and research careers.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Notre Dame Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Caterine Potes
PhD in Biological Sciences | Conducts doctoral work in infectious and vector-borne diseases, pursuing her interest in relationships between organisms, ecosystems, and community health. | — |
13. University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham provides biology education through its College of Arts and Sciences. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, the Department of Biology connects undergraduate study with research in areas including genetics, genomics, marine biology, ecology, and aging. Its programs allow students to examine both organismal and cellular questions.
The Bachelor of Science in Biology requires 120 credit hours and offers concentrations in Integrative Biology, Marine Science, and Molecular Biology. These concentrations belong to the same bachelor’s degree and provide different academic emphases. Students can also pursue departmental honors involving faculty-supervised research, with opportunities in the Department of Biology or the Heersink School of Medicine.
The MS in Biology offers thesis and non-thesis pathways, allowing students to choose between a substantial research project and a coursework-oriented route. Graduate research includes cell and molecular biology, ecophysiology, endocrinology, and aquatic organisms. The PhD in Biology combines advanced coursework with comprehensive examination and dissertation research, supporting deeper specialization in biological questions under faculty supervision.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Alabama at Birmingham Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Mehar Bano
Master of Science in Biomedical Science
Major: Neuroscience | Studied proteasome activators in Drosophila Alzheimer’s models, including neuroprotective effects independent of amyloid-beta clearance. Also worked with patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and cerebral organoids to investigate Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms. | Conducted this work at the Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics. In retrospect, she would have contacted potential supervisors earlier and aligned her proposals more closely with their laboratories’ research. |
14. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers biology through its School of Life Sciences in the College of Natural Sciences. Located in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, the school brings together teaching and research in biology, botany, microbiology, and zoology. Its subject coverage includes molecular processes, terrestrial organisms, and marine life.
Undergraduates can pursue either a BA or BS in Biology. The school also offers separately named degrees in related subjects, including Marine Biology and Molecular Cell Biology. Biology students can gain practical experience through laboratory and field courses, and eligible students may earn credit for directed research. Introductory research opportunities include the SEA-PHAGES laboratory program.
Graduate degrees are organized by specialty: Botany, Marine Biology, Microbiology, and Zoology each offer MS and PhD pathways. Marine Biology is offered jointly with the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. Botany research includes Hawaiʻi’s flora, evolution, conservation, and invasive species. Students should therefore choose a graduate program by its specific subject name rather than expect a general Biology master’s or doctorate.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Juanfra
Master’s in Botany | Learned about Hawaiʻi’s distinctive biodiversity, conservation efforts, and the importance of decolonizing science during his studies. | Connected with researchers and colleagues working in the region. He subsequently continued studying Pacific biodiversity through a PhD on plant-animal interactions at Victoria University of Wellington. |
15. University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida offers biology through its Department of Biology within the College of Sciences in Orlando, Florida. Undergraduate and graduate programs provide routes into general biology, specialized biological study, and original research. Graduate education includes both a research-focused master’s degree and doctoral training.
The Bachelor of Science in Biology requires 120 credit hours. Students can select tracks including General Biology, Plant Sciences, Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, and Zoology and Pre-Veterinary Science. These are academic tracks within the Biology BS. Course choices include laboratory and field subjects, allowing students to shape their studies around organisms, biological mechanisms, or environmental questions.
The Biology MS requires 30 credits, including 24 credits of formal coursework and six credits of thesis research. Students complete a research proposal review and thesis defense; the non-thesis program is no longer accepting applications. The Biology PhD requires 72 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree and offers Conservation Biology and Integrative Biology tracks, with qualifying and candidacy examinations followed by dissertation research.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Central Florida Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Sabera
Master’s in Biotechnology | Research in Dr. Saleh Naser’s laboratory focuses on intestinal epithelial cell biology, gut inflammation, and therapeutic regulation using drugs. | Reports well-equipped laboratories that supported hands-on research and approachable faculty who provided mentorship. The graduate coordinator helped her navigate academic and research processes. |
16. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) offers biology and biotechnology programs with an emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning. Its Biology and Biotechnology curriculum combines biological theory with the practice of biotechnology. WPI also states that students may begin working in faculty-directed research laboratories well before their senior year.
Abeer Asif, a master’s student from Pakistan featured in a Global Scholarships student story, described her interest in research: “I really enjoy research. I enjoy how you form a hypothesis, struggle to find threads connecting to its truths, and actually figure out something that no one has ever done before.”
She also described becoming interested in the field when she “started seeing the real-life applications of biology and how it connected to something tangible.”
WPI’s biology-related degree options include a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Biotechnology and graduate programs in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Its full-time, thesis-based master’s program combines research, courses, and seminars. The Ph.D. program includes immersive research as well as core courses covering professional ethics, grant writing, and experimental design.
17. Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America offers biology through its Department of Biology in Washington, D.C. The department provides undergraduate and graduate education, with graduate training emphasizing cell and microbial biology. Its academic coverage includes biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, developmental biology, neurobiology, and virology.
Students can earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Biology. The BS provides additional biology elective choices, enabling students to extend their study within the discipline. A separate five-year pathway combines the BS in Biology with an MS in Biotechnology, offering an accelerated route into an adjacent field with applications in biological research and industry.
Graduate offerings include an MS in Biology and a PhD in Biology. Doctoral students may enter through a master’s-to-PhD route or proceed directly without first earning a master’s degree. Training combines advanced biological coursework with research, graduate seminars, and scientific presentations. Doctoral students also undertake teaching, developing the communication skills needed for academic, biological, and biomedical careers.
What Current Students / Alumni of The Catholic University of America Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Jarin Taslem Mourosi
PhD in Biology
Focus: Microbiology and Cell Biology | Research involves CRISPR engineering of T4 bacteriophages to develop vaccines against Dengue and Zika viruses. | Conducts her doctoral work at the Bacteriophage Medical Research Center within the university’s Department of Biology. |
In conclusion, international students interested in biology can use these 17 universities as a starting point when comparing study options in the United States. Each institution offers biology-related undergraduate study, while graduate options vary. Prospective students should review the official program pages carefully before applying.
We hope that this overview of universities offering biology programs in the USA was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
