Is biology the right major for you?

Asked by: Ms. Monique Runolfsdottir IV  |  Last update: August 31, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (57 votes)

If you thrive in hands-on learning environments, possess critical thinking skills, and envision a career in research, healthcare, or environmental conservation, biology might be the perfect fit for you.

Is biology the right major for me?

Is Biology a Good Major for Me? Students who are curious about the living world around them and want to unpack how it all works may be well-suited for a biology major. Biology majors should have a strong interest in science, and they can expect to hone their skills in investigation, research and analysis.

Is it a good idea to study biology?

Knowledge of biology is crucial for everyone's life as it helps us understand our bodies, make informed health decisions, and know about the environment we live in. It plays a vital role in medical advancements, food production, disease control, environment, evolution, genetics and other uncountable fields.

Do med schools prefer biology majors?

While a great many pre-meds choose biology (or a related science) as their major, there is nothing wrong with selecting something further afield, such as English or a foreign language. As medical schools increasingly seek well-rounded applicants, humanities majors are becoming more common.

Is biology a really hard major?

The difficulty in biology lies in its complexity,” says Draft. “You have to develop an intuition for the principles that underlie this seemingly endless, chaotic diversity of protein cells in life. There's a lot of knowledge to learn, a lot of jargon, and a lot of specialized techniques.

Should You Get A Biology Degree? - My Experience Studying Biology + Working As A Lab Technologist

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What is the easiest major?

10 Easiest College Majors for 2025
  • Psychology. ...
  • Accounting. ...
  • Nursing. ...
  • Finance. ...
  • Economics. ...
  • Healthcare Administration. ...
  • Logistics. ...
  • Marketing. A marketing degree may come as an easy pursuit for individuals with creative and communication skills.

Is biology a stressful major?

3. Pre-med/Biology: Pre-med and biology majors often deal with immense academic pressure and competitive environments, as they need to maintain high grades for medical school admissions. The coursework usually covers a wide range of topics, such as chemistry, physics, anatomy, and physiology.

Is a biology degree useless without med school?

Pursuing a career in the private sector with a biology degree opens a multitude of pathways beyond medical school, particularly within the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

What do most pre-med students major in?

Biology is the most common pre-med major, followed by psychology. However, the acceptance rates for these majors are slightly below average.

What is the hardest biology major?

1. Molecular Biology: This course focuses on the molecular mechanisms that occur in living cells. It involves complex topics such as DNA transcription, protein structure, and cell signaling, which can be pretty tricky to understand.

What is the easiest biology major to learn?

  • Evolutionary Biology and Ecology.
  • Genetic Sciences.
  • Immunology and Microbiological Sciences.
  • Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences.
  • Plant Biology.
  • Toxicology and Pharmacology.

Is biology a good major for the future?

A biology degree opens doors to various career options, from research and healthcare to environmental conservation and education.

What percent of students are biology majors?

In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 6 percent of all undergraduate degrees were granted to people studying biological and biomedical sciences.

What is the hardest major?

The hardest degree subjects are Aerospace Engineering, Law, Chartered Accountancy, Architecture, Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology, Statistics, Nursing, Physics, Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy, and Dentistry.

Is biology major a lot of math?

Biology requires far less math than other subjects, especially other fields of science like chemistry, physics, or engineering. Humanities programs usually require the least amount of math courses, often just the bare minimum included in the general education requirements.

What type of people are good at biology?

Biologists are investigative and enterprising

If you are one or both of these archetypes, you may be well suited to be a biologist. However, if you are social, this is probably not a good career for you.

What major does best on MCAT?

Interestingly, the highest average MCAT for medical school applicants is earned by math and statistics majors (511.9).

Can you get into med school with a biology degree?

A bachelor's degree in biology gives students the background knowledge needed to earn a M.D. However, majors need to plan their classes well to be prepared for medical school.

What is the hardest major to get into medical school with?

Specialized health sciences majors have the lowest acceptance rate while math and statistics majors and most common medical majors have the highest acceptance rates. Biological science majors are the most popular in terms of both applicants and matriculants.

Is biology a low paying major?

How much does a Biology Major make in California? As of Jan 20, 2025, the average annual pay for the Biology Major jobs category in California is $178,594 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $85.86 an hour. This is the equivalent of $3,434/week or $14,882/month.

Is a biology degree respected?

In fact, biology degrees are the No. 1 bachelor's degree that aspiring doctors earn before starting medical school; this type of degree provides a good foundation for students interested in medicine.

How employable is a biology degree?

holders in biology can work as biochemists, biophysicists, medical scientists, senior research scientists in biotechnology, professors, and postdoctoral research associates. These roles often involve conducting independent research, teaching, and contributing to scientific advancements.

Why should I choose biology as a major?

A biology degree is incredibly versatile and opens up opportunities for students. Not only does it provide a strong foundation in the natural sciences, but it also prepares students for various careers in fields such as healthcare, research, education, and environmental conservation.

Which major has the most stress?

Other majors that could be considered stressful due to rigorous coursework include Physics, Computer Science, and any other majors that incorporate a fair amount of technical or mathematical knowledge. Humanities and social sciences are not exempt, either.

Are biology majors in demand?

There are currently an estimated 135,000 biologists in the United States. The biologist job market is expected to grow by 4.7% between 2022 and 2032.