Online Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences – Biology and Society

Most online biology degrees focus primarily on laboratory science, preparing graduates for research or health care roles. For those interested in social impact, this concentration pairs a strong scientific foundation with coursework in ethics, policy and the social sciences to prepare you for careers where scientific knowledge meets public impact. 

That interdisciplinary combination is what sets this program apart. This degree is designed to produce graduates who can navigate both the science and the complex social, ethical and political forces that determine how it gets used. That perspective is increasingly valuable in fields such as public health policy, environmental law, bioethics, science communication and AI-driven healthcare, where the science alone is rarely enough.

A biology and society major prepares you for a wide range of fields where scientific knowledge meets public impact. Graduates pursue roles such as public health program coordinator, environmental policy analyst, bioethics researcher, science policy advisor and healthcare compliance specialist.

 What makes this degree competitive across such different fields is its combination of scientific literacy and the ability to communicate complex biological concepts to policymakers, legal teams, health care systems and the public. This is a skill set that's increasingly in demand as issues such as AI in medicine, climate policy and bioethics move to the center of public debate.

This degree provides a strong foundation for graduate programs in public health, law, science policy, bioethics, biology and other fields where its interdisciplinary mix of science and humanities is an asset.

If you’re considering medical school, it's worth noting that this concentration is designed around the intersection of science and society rather than a traditional pre-med curriculum. Students pursuing that path may want to consider one of these other ASU Online programs, which are more directly aligned with medical school prerequisites:

• Biological sciences
• Biomedical science
• Medical studies

The scientific foundation this degree builds, combined with its emphasis on ethics and systems thinking, can complement a medical school application for students whose interests extend into health policy or public health medicine.

This program is designed to be completed fully online, with no required in-person lab sessions. Instead, you'll engage with the science through a mix of hands-on and interactive experiences, including immersive virtual labs through Dreamscape Learn and at-home lab kits. If you choose certain electives, optional in-person lab sessions are available at ASU's Tempe campus.

Yes. While the core curriculum builds your foundation in both biological sciences and the humanities, elective courses and experiential learning opportunities let you shape the degree around your goals. Whether you're drawn to public health, environmental law, science policy, bioethics or science communication, you can tailor your coursework to reflect the direction you want to take your career.

Yes. This degree is offered fully online, with flexible course formats designed to fit your schedule, whether you're working, caregiving or managing other commitments. You can complete coursework on your own schedule, with syllabus deadlines to keep you on track. All required lab experiences are completed online, with optional in-person sessions available at ASU's Tempe campus for students who select certain electives.