When it comes to certain majors, many schools offer both a BA and BS option. In this article, we’ll examine getting a BA versus a BS in biology, specifically. When considering whether to pursue a BA or BS degree in biology, it’s important to understand the differences between these two degree programs and how they can impact your future career opportunities.
I’ll provide some guidance on which degree program is the right fit for you. We’ll first explore the key differences between a BA and BS in biology. Next, we’ll discuss which degree is better for health professional programs (i.e. medical school, PA school, etc.). Lastly, I’ll talk a little bit about which degree I chose and my reasons for picking it. Let’s get started. 🙂
Table of Contents
What’s the Difference Between a BA and BS?
Short Answer: The main difference between a BA and a BS is the focus of the coursework. A BA degree typically focuses on liberal arts and humanities subjects, while a BS degree concentrates on scientific and mathematical subjects.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a bachelor’s degree that is awarded to students who have completed a college or university program that focuses on liberal arts and humanities subjects. This type of degree is typically designed to provide students with a broad education in the humanities, as well as help them develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills.
A BA degree program usually includes classes in subjects such as literature, history, philosophy, foreign languages, and the arts. Some common career paths for BA graduates include teaching, journalism, publishing, and public relations.
Bachelor of Science (BS)
A Bachelor of Science (BS) is a bachelor’s degree that is conferred to students who have completed a college or university program that concentrates on scientific and mathematical topics. This type of degree gives students a strong foundation in the natural and applied sciences and helps promote problem-solving and analytical skills.
A BS degree program normally involves courses in subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Some common career paths for BS graduates include engineering, medicine, research, and computer science.
What Are the Main Differences Between a BA and BS in Biology?
Focus of the Coursework
A BA in biology focuses on the study of the natural sciences within the broader context of the humanities and social sciences. This means that a BA in biology program may include coursework in subjects such as English, history, and philosophy, as well as biology.
In contrast, a BS in biology is a more specialized degree program that concentrates primarily on the study of biology and related scientific disciplines. A BS in biology program will typically involve coursework in subjects such as genetics, ecology, and biochemistry, as well as more advanced laboratory courses and research experiences.
Additional Information: It depends on the school, but a BS often has greater credit requirements compared to a BA, which means that you’ll need to take more courses in order to complete your degree.
Career Opportunities
A BA in biology is a more general degree program that can provide a broad foundation for many different careers. Graduates of a BA in biology program can pursue careers in fields such as education, medicine, or public health, where a strong background in the natural sciences is beneficial.
In contrast, a BS in biology is a more specialized degree program that is designed to prepare students for careers in the scientific and medical fields. Graduates of a BS in biology program often pursue careers as research scientists, healthcare professionals, or environmental consultants, where a strong foundation in biology and related disciplines is essential.
Should You Get a BA or BS in Biology?
Short Answer: When it comes to deciding between a BA or BS, you should choose based on your interests, learning style, and ultimate career goals.
If you’re interested in a broad education that can serve as a foundation for many different careers, a BA in biology may be the right choice for you. A BA in biology is a good choice if you plan to pursue a career in a field that requires a broad understanding of the biological sciences or are still unsure about entering the medical field.
However, if you’re interested in a more specialized degree program that can prepare you for a career in the medical or scientific fields, a BS in biology may be a better fit. A BS in biology is a good choice if you’re interested in pursuing a more specialized career in the sciences, such as in research or medicine, and want a more in-depth study of the biological sciences.
Food for Thought: Something else you might want to consider when it comes to deciding between a BA and BS in biology is your learning style.
Both degree types cover a variety of STEM material. However, a BA has a broader, qualitative focus that includes more general education classes, while a BS has a more narrow, quantitative focus that involves more math and science courses.
Depending on the type of learner that you are, one degree might be a much better fit. Picking the right degree type can enable you to connect better with the coursework and potentially earn higher grades, which will look more attractive later on when you’re applying to jobs or pursuing higher education.
Ultimately, both a BA and BS in biology can provide a solid foundation for many different careers. The best choice for you will depend on what you’re hoping to get out of your degree.
Is it Better to Get a BA or BS in Biology If I Want to Attend a Health Professional School (e.g. Medical School)?
Short Answer: Medical schools and other health professional schools don’t really care whether you have a BA or a BS degree.
There isn’t really a preference on which degree you get; both BA and BS degrees are perfectly fine for medical school (or any other health professional school). There’s no hard rule saying that you have to choose a BS if your aim is to get into a health professional school.
While a BA might have less of a hard science focus, it builds other important soft skills. The most important thing is that you complete the standard required prerequisite courses.
Why I Chose to Get a BS in Biology Instead of a BA
I ultimately chose to pursue a BS in biology for multiple reasons. First off, my goal was always to pursue a medical career. The medical field requires a strong foundation in biology and other hard sciences so I wanted my coursework to reflect that.
Additionally, I really wanted to take advantage of my time in college and explore as many of the different subdisciplines of biology as possible. I felt that a BS in biology better lent itself to achieving this goal.
Finally, In terms of learning preferences, I generally enjoy classes that are more structured, which is more in line with the approach taken in STEM courses. My minor in bioethics – which mainly consisted of loosely-structured, humanities-oriented classes – added enough variety to my coursework and balanced out my required science classes nicely, making a BS the perfect choice for me.
Conclusion
Nice work on making it to the end of this article! I hope that I was able to help you out. 😀
For more help on related topics, be sure to check out some of my other college and pre-health advice articles. See you in the next one! Stay healthy and keep learning.