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Online Biology Degrees Guide: Levels and Career Paths
Key takeaway: Online biology degrees are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s level by accredited schools, and the degree serves as a foundation for careers in healthcare, laboratory science, environmental work, education, and graduate or professional study. Most programs pair online coursework with an in-person or partner-lab component for hands-on lab requirements. Compare accredited programs below.
An online biology degree covers the science of living organisms, from molecular and cellular processes to ecology and evolution, combining lecture-based coursework with laboratory training. Accredited online programs generally deliver the same lecture curriculum and degree titles as campus programs, though most also require some form of in-person or partner-lab lab work to satisfy science credit requirements; browse the best accredited online colleges to compare schools that offer them.
Schools Offering Biology Programs
These accredited schools offer biology programs. Request information to compare programs, costs, and formats.
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Browse biology programs by degree level below.
Quick Answers
What do online biology programs cover?
Online biology programs cover the science of living organisms. Coursework commonly includes general biology, cell and molecular biology, genetics, ecology, anatomy and physiology, and a statistics or research-methods course.
What online biology degree levels are common?
Common levels include an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS), and a master’s degree. Some students use a biology bachelor’s as a prerequisite track toward nursing, pre-med, or other health-professional programs.
Do online biology degrees require in-person lab work?
Most programs do. Labs are typically completed through an at-home lab kit shipped by the school, a local partner-lab arrangement, or a short on-campus intensive. Lab requirements vary significantly by school, so confirm the format before enrolling.
What accreditation should biology students look for?
Students should verify that a school holds institutional accreditation from an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, which can be confirmed through the Department’s accreditation database. Programs with a specific pre-health or pre-professional track may also reference discipline-specific guidance from professional societies.
What is the difference between a BA and a BS in biology?
A BA in biology typically pairs core science coursework with broader liberal-arts requirements, while a BS emphasizes additional lab and quantitative coursework. Both can serve as a foundation for graduate study or entry-level science roles, but pre-health and research-focused tracks more often favor the BS.
What you’ll study
Online biology programs blend lecture-based theory with laboratory application. Core coursework commonly spans general biology I and II, cell and molecular biology, genetics, ecology and evolution, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and a statistics or research-methods course. Many programs let you focus coursework toward a track such as pre-health, environmental biology, or general life sciences, depending on the school’s offerings.
Careers and further study
Biology graduates apply their training across healthcare support roles, laboratory and research settings, environmental and conservation work, science education, and biotechnology, and the degree is also a common prerequisite pathway toward nursing, physician assistant, physical therapy, dental, veterinary, and medical school. Career readiness and licensure requirements (where applicable) vary substantially by target role, so verify specific prerequisites with your intended graduate or professional program before choosing electives.
View the data behind this chart
| Occupation | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientist | $103,410 |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $78,850 |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | $76,780 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
View the data behind this chart
| Occupation | Projected job growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientist | 8.7% |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | 5.4% |
| Biological Technician | 3.5% |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | 1.6% |
How to choose an online biology program
- Accreditation – confirm recognized institutional accreditation before enrolling.
- Lab format – understand whether labs use at-home kits, a local partner lab, or an on-campus intensive; see How Online Biology Degrees Work.
- Track or focus – general biology, pre-health, or environmental/ecological focus, matched to your target path.
- Format and pace – accelerated options exist for students who want to move faster through coursework.
- Cost – compare tuition per credit plus lab and technology fees, not just the advertised annual rate; see Affordable Biology Programs.
Biology or a related field? Choose biology for a broad life-sciences foundation and pre-health flexibility; explore healthcare or nursing for degree-specific clinical tracks instead.
Prefer to study close to home? Browse online biology programs by state for state salary data, licensing details, and city-level guides.
Next Steps
Wondering where it leads? See what you can do with a biology degree for the jobs and BLS salary data behind the degree. Compare programs by level or focus: