Can I work while studying for my bachelors degree in biology?

Whether you are taking classes on a part-time or full-time basis, you will not be in class 40 hours a week, so you can definitely work at least a little while you pursue a bachelor degree in biology. Try to work at jobs that are related to the field you want to pursue so you can start building networks and gaining experience before you graduate.

Internships are an easy way to break into the field without much prior experience. The most common internships are research and lab assistant positions, some of which even pay a small wage. Government agencies, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also tend to offer students work. Check out your school’s career center or job sites like Indeed.com for internship positions throughout the country.

The main disadvantage of working while studying is that the time commitment required by both may cause you to become overwhelmed and exhausted. An online biology bachelor degree would give you more scheduling flexibility, but the amount of time devoted each week to completing coursework would still be the same as in a traditional program. It is not impossible, but don’t take on more than you can handle or your performance will suffer in both school and work.

Are there any brick-and-mortar colleges that offer an online biology bachelors degree program?

The best biology schools require students to complete lab work on campus as part of their program, so there are not many brick-and-mortar colleges that offer a biology bachelor degree online. Generally your only option for web-based biology coursework is to take on-campus classes in conjunction with online biology courses that do not require your physical presence for labs.

The Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at Pace University offers a few online biology courses. U.S. News & World Report put this school’s online bachelors program on its honor roll for its highly ranked faculty, student services and technology and student engagement and assessment.

University of Florida, another school on the honor roll, offers an accredited online bachelors degree in biology. The Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Sciences program offers online classes in conjunction with live lab work done at Miami Dade College. This university is very well respected and recognized nationally, making its program 1 of the best online bachelors in biology available.

Pennsylvania State University’s World Campus also offers a few biology courses that can be completed entirely online. Many of these courses however, are meant for non-major students and may only fulfill elective requirements.

Are there any scholarships for traditional or online bachelors degree students in biology?

There are millions of dollars in scholarships available throughout the country for biology students to help you fund your traditional or online bachelor degree in biology. The first place you should look for a scholarship is at your current school. For example, Florida State University offers its current outstanding biology students scholarship awards every year, such as the Biological Science Faculty Award for Undergraduate Scholarship, a $1,350 award for a senior biology major. You are most likely to receive these kinds of scholarships because you are competing with just your fellow classmates instead of the entire country.

Make sure to check out various government organizations for scholarship opportunities as well. For instance, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has the William F. Helms Student Scholarship for sophomores and juniors pursuing a bachelors degree in biology or other fields related to agriculture. Recipients are awarded up to $5,000 in financial assistance for each year they are enrolled and also enjoy paid work experience during school breaks and possible future employment. Use Grants.gov to help you find more government scholarships.

Students pursuing an online biology bachelor degree usually don’t have the same access to scholarships as traditional students do, and unaccredited schools do not qualify for government funding. If you are unsure, just check the eligibility requirements and see if online students are explicitly precluded.

Can I study abroad during my on-campus or online bachelors degree programs in biology?

Many top biology bachelors degree programs offer students the opportunity to earn course credit while taking courses in places all over the world. Some programs allow you to conduct research in labs located in other countries, take courses at foreign universities and learn about different aspects of foreign environments by experiencing them in person.

Study aboard programs have varying durations, lasting from a few weeks to a full year. There are also trips that occur during school holiday breaks and in between semesters in the summer. For longer trips, you usually take courses on site or at a foreign college. During shorter trips you typically complete coursework before and after you depart, devoting time abroad to more hands-on experiences.

These programs can be quite expensive after adding up airfare, tuition costs and living expenses, but many schools offer scholarships to help finance students who want to study aboard. Studying in another country is a once in a lifetime experience that is well worth the price tag. You can find more information at your school’s study abroad office.

Students pursuing a biology bachelor degree online will usually have access to study abroad programs if their school also has a traditional campus. Schools that are web-based only typically have few, if any, opportunities to study abroad.