Academic Overview
As an undergraduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences majoring in biology or microbiology, you will undertake a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes the importance and use of communication, modern information technology, and mathematics. These skills and tools are cultivated through all four years at Clemson and are evaluated in a senior-year seminar course.
For graduate students, the Department of Biological Sciences offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biological sciences, environmental toxicology and microbiology, with emphases comprising the vast range of research areas available within the department.
By the Numbers
➧ 1,700+
Undergraduate
Students
➧ 70+
Graduate
Students
➧ 50
Instructional
Faculty
➧ 34:1
Student-
Instructor Ratio
Diverse Curriculum
Majoring in biological sciences or microbiology at Clemson isn’t just about doing the research. It's about the hands-on experience, inside and outside the walls of the laboratory. Clemson's state-of-the-art facilities and extensive research equipment provide you with a world outside the classroom and inside the world of intensive research and innovative experimentation. There are also opportunities that allow you to make connections beyond Clemson, be it research institutes, clubs or interacting with highly qualified faculty.
“When I was searching for a graduate program, the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center stood out because of its collaborative environment and resources. Dr. Zhicheng Dou capitalized on that to give me hands-on experiences that will position me for the next step in my career.”
Brock ThorntonGraduate StudentMicrobiology
Top Careers
A career in biological sciences is not only rewarding in terms of the quest for knowledge and scientific advancement. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020:
- The mean average annual salary for a biological scientist in the U.S. was $91,550.
- The mean average annual salary for a microbiologist in the U.S. was $91,840.
- The mean average annual salary for a medical scientist in the U.S. was $100,780.
Making an Impact
BioSci Graduate Hometown Example of Pursuing Big Dreams
“I knew Clemson was where I was meant to be,” says Amoira Rush, a recent Clemson graduate with a degree in biological sciences. Rush could have attended college almost anywhere — she was the valedictorian of her class in her hometown of Andrews, South Carolina. She found her home at Clemson, and became active in COSMIC — the College of Science Mentoring and Inclusion Collaborative — an ecosystem of support for students in the College of Science that matches incoming students with student mentors from similar backgrounds and interests.
Chart Your Future
Undergraduate
Undergraduate programs in the Department of Biological Sciences lead to B.S. and B.A. degrees in biological sciences and a B.S. in microbiology. Additionally, emphasis areas in entomology, prepharmacy, prerehabilitation, quantitative biology, toxicology, secondary education and biomedicine are offered.
Graduate
Graduate programs in the Department of Biological Sciences include M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biological sciences, environmental toxicology and microbiology. There is also a five-year B.S./M.S. program in biological sciences and bioengineering. An online M.S. in biological sciences for science educators is also offered.