by our College Data Analytics TeamBiological & Physical Science is an interdisciplinary major that combines subjects in biology and physical sciences. Physical Science involves the nonliving physical world. Some of the subjects are astronomy, chemistry, geology, physics, math, and meteorology. In contrast, biology involves the study of the living world. Combining the two subjects will allow you to apply abstract formulas and theories to real world situations to come up with concrete solutions.
Depending on the fields in which you focus, your courses will vary. However, you can expect to take biology, chemistry, physics, and advanced mathematics.
Biological & Physical Science was the 38th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 30,032 degrees in this year alone. Our 2025 Best Biological & Physical Science Schools ranking analyzes 97 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for biological & physical science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biological science programs later in this article.
This program will demand very analytical thinking. As you conduct experiments and get results, you will learn how to analyze your results with accuracy and precision. You should enjoy problem solving and experimenting. Answers will come to those with persistence in repeating tests over and over again.
You will spend a lot of time working on teams for group projects, in labs, or during a study group. You should be able to serve as a contributing team member and collaborate with your peers. Work on your writing skills so you can clearly explain your findings.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most biological science degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional biological science certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Biological Science degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in biological & physical science to something that takes less time like a . Different biological & physical science degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to biological science, with approximately 48.9% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for biological science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 49.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 14.2% |
| Doctoral Degree | 11.4% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 7.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.2% |
87.6% of biological science workers have at least a bachelor's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in biological & physical science careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the biological science career you are seeking.
There are many career paths you can follow with a degree in Biological and Physical Science. The career you choose will depend on your focus as an undergraduate. Some may choose to continue their studies in graduate school. If you would rather go straight into a job you can find work as a lab researcher, biological technician, environmental scientist or chemist.
Want a job when you graduate with your biological science degree? Biological & Physical Science careers are expected to grow 9.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biological & physical science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
Recently graduated biological & physical science students earned an average of $35,249 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $15,051 to as high as $96,037. As you might expect, salaries for biological science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for biological & physical science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers biological science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
With over 445 different biological science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased biological science school rankings to help you with this.
Biological & Physical Science is one of 51 different types of Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biological & Physical Sciences | 30,032 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 31,307 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,114 |
| International Studies | 6,614 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,598 |
| Behavioral Science | 4,493 |
