BS Biology at University of South Florida

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biology provides a broad foundation in the biological sciences and prepares students for graduate programmes in biology (zoology, botany, conservation biology, microbiology, marine biology, ecology and evolution) and professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacology. It emphasizes critical thinking, communication, experimental design and data analysis for lab and field research.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Duration: 120 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Tampa, FL, United States

What you will study

The 120-credit degree includes 32 credits of state-mandated prerequisites (Biology I and II with labs, general chemistry and related science and math) within 68 required credits, with concentrations that let students focus coursework by interest. Undergraduate research, internships, study abroad, service learning and field courses are available.

Career pathways

Biology careers in industry and government agencies, graduate study, and professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacology.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to the university and its college rather than to the major: the University's undergraduate (freshman or transfer) admission requirements apply, as published in the catalogue and at usf.edu/admissions.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year entry terms: Fall/Summer 2027 semester start. Transfer and second bachelor's applicants can start in Spring 2027 (classes begin January 11, 2027), Summer 2027 (classes begin May 17, 2027) or Fall 2027.

First-year, Fall/Summer 2027 start: Early Action application deadline November 2, 2026 (materials November 16, decision December 9, 2026); Regular Decision application deadline December 16, 2026 (materials January 15, 2027, decision February 10, 2027); Rolling application deadline March 1, 2027 (materials March 15, 2027). The scholarship consideration deadline is January 15, 2027.

Transfer and second bachelor's final application deadlines: November 1, 2026 for Spring 2027; March 1, 2027 for Summer 2027; June 1, 2027 for Fall 2027. Materials deadlines are November 15, 2026, March 15, 2027 and June 15, 2027 respectively.

The nonrefundable application fee is $30, or an SAT, ACT or CLT fee waiver request can be submitted through the Applicant Portal. Applicants apply through the USF online application or the Common App. First-year applicants must submit official results of at least one of the SAT, ACT or CLT (SAT code 5828, ACT code 0761) and a self-reported transcript (STARS).

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