Earn a bachelor's degree in biology

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology at St. Petersburg College prepares you to enter a range of biology careers, graduate programs or medical, dental or veterinary school. This degree offers subplans in animal sciences, biomedical sciences, cell and molecular biotechnology or ecology and organismal biology.

Our bachelor's degree in Biology is perfect if you have taken the common prerequisite classes in biology, chemistry and calculus as part of your A.A. degree or earned SPC's Biology A.A. transfer plan. Your major courses include a range of biology, chemistry, physics and math.

This degree offers subplans in

  • Cellular & Molecular Biology
  • Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology.

This academic program prepares you for the following careers. All job data is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Biological Technicians

Salary Data

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average

Florida Average

Projected employment for Florida

2023 Employment

2,620

2033

3,030

Percent Change

16

Projected Job Openings

390

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Salary Data

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average

Florida Average

Projected employment for Florida

2023 Employment

4,890

2033

5,360

Percent Change

10

Projected Job Openings

440

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Salary Data

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average

Florida Average

Projected employment for Florida

2023 Employment

1,490

2033

1,560

Percent Change

5

Projected Job Openings

120

Features of SPC's Bachelor of Science in Biology

  • Prepares you to work in a variety of careers in biological sciences like health care, education, conservation and research
  • You get to utilize your skills in creative problem-solving, critical thinking, analyzing, communication and information technology across various biological science disciplines
  • Gives you a foundation for graduate degrees such as a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy, or to study medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy

Flexible by Design

We offer electives that let you focus on your interests, such as:

  • Zoology
  • Ecology
  • Immunology
  • Biotechnology
  • Marine biology
  • Plant biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Cellular biology
  • Undergraduate research

Biology Bachelor of Science

BIOLOGY-BS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Fall 2024 (640)

The requirements shown below are valid beginning Fall 2024 (640), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.

Program Summary

The Bachelor of Science in Biology degree serves primarily to educate students for laboratory and field-related careers in the Biological sciences and as a transfer curriculum for graduate and professional schools.

Graduation Requirements

All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of "C".

GENERAL EDUCATION: All students must complete the 36 credit general education requirement in order to graduate from this program. A.S. degree holders may need to complete an additional 15-21 general education credits to complete the thirty-six (36) credit hour general education requirement.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: If you have not completed two consecutive years of the same foreign language in high school or 8 credits in college, you will need to complete 8 credits of foreign language before completing the B.S. program.

CIVIC LITERACY: As per Florida Rule 6A-10.04213, baccalaureate degree students entering a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution in the 2021-2022 academic school year and thereafter must demonstrate competency through successful completion of a civic literacy course AND by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE).

Academic Pathways

The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:
  • the recommended order in which to take the program courses
  • suggested course when more than one option exists
  • which semester each course is typically offered
  • if the course has a prerequisite
  • courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
VIEW THE RECOMMENDED ACADEMIC PATHWAY

Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.

Program Leadership Information

Florida CIP Code

1102601011 - BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Federal CIP Code

26.0101 - Biology/Biological Sciences, General.

Prepare for your bachelor's degree at SPC

St. Petersburg College offers a Biology A.A. transfer plan that prepares you for our Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.

Biology B.S. Degree

COMPLETE Your Biology BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE AND DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC DEGREE

NUHS logoSPC is now offering a unique partnership with the National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) that allows you to earn your Bachelor of Science in Biology from SPC and your  Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) from NUHS. As an Advanced Scholar, your last year of SPC's Biology degree can also be your first year toward pursuing a rewarding career in chiropractic medicine at NUHS. Learn more about the Advanced Scholars Program.

Admission to the Biology BS Degree

Download program admission guide for all students admitted after term 565