Skip to main content

Secondary Menu

  • Hotline
  • Contact Us
  • Give Now

Call to Action Menu

  • Visit Us
  • Apply Now
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Information for:

Information Menu

  • Future Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Continuing Education
Penn State Berks Home
Penn State Berks Home
Penn State Berks
Search

Information Menu

  • Future Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Continuing Education

Secondary Menu

  • Hotline
  • Contact Us
  • Give Now

Call to Action Menu

  • Visit Us
  • Apply Now

Main navigation

  • This is Penn State
  • Academics
  • Admission
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
  • Student Life
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Athletics
Information for:

Information Menu

  • Future Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Continuing Education

Main navigation

  • This is Penn State
  • Academics
  • Admission
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
  • Student Life
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Athletics
  1. Home

B.S. in Science

The B.S. in Science provides a broad education in the sciences. The degree allows students flexibility in choosing upper-level coursework that can be tailored to long-term goals.  Students can focus on physics, chemistry, and mathematics (General option) or focus on the biology of the human body (Life Science option). Both options provide student with a strong foundation in all scientific areas: biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics.

Degree Overview

The objectives of the Science Major involve learning to think like a scientist. Specific educational objectives of the program are to ensure that graduates:

  • Read, understand, and critically interpret primary scientific literature
  • Communicate results of biological research
  • Apply ethical principles to basic and applied practice and understand the role of science and scientists in society
  • Demonstrate appropriate laboratory skills including scientific technique, maintenance of a laboratory notebook, writing laboratory reports, and adhering to all safety procedures

Complementary Minors and Certificates

The following academic minors are suggested to complement the Biology degree:

  • Applied Psychology
  • Business
  • Communication

After Graduation

The Science major prepares students for work in a technical fields such as laboratory work, clinical research, and quality assurance in the food industry. The degree provides the pre-requisite coursework for a variety of professional schools including medical and veterinary. The degree also prepares students for graduate study.

Comparison of BMB, Biology, and Science Degrees

Penn State Berks offers three degrees related to the life sciences. All three degrees lead to similar outcomes but the focus of the degrees vary slightly. The BMB degree focuses more on laboratory work and has a more chemical focus; Biology fosters a broad understanding of biology without as intense a focus on chemistry; Science provides a flexible major to allow students to tailor their own 400-level coursework. Medical students usually choose BMB, veterinary students usually choose Biology, and Physician Assistant students choose Science. Students who want to work in Pharmaceuticals and Bioctech often choose BMB; students who want to work as park rangers and environmental specialists usually choose Biology; students who transfer to Penn State or who do not know exactly where they want to work choose Science. You will work closely with your advisor to choose the most appropriate degree for your long-term goals.

B.S. in Science

  • B.S. in Science Overview
  • B.S. in Science Program Goals
  • B.S. in Science Curriculum Checklist
  • Life Science Option
  • B.S. in Science Faculty
  • Request Information about Science

See Also

  • Suggested Academic Plan
  • Undergraduate Bulletin
  • Degree Flyer
  • Curriculum Checklist - General Science Option
  • Curriculum Checklist - Life Science Option
Apply Now!
Get Started
Visit Us
Schedule Now

Quick Links

Admission
Degrees and Majors
Academic Advising Center
Career Services
Academic Support
Registrar

Shibley, Ike

Associate Professor in Chemistry
Program Chair, Science
[email protected]
610-396-6185
Luerssen, 101G
MLK Jr. Award recipients

High school, college students honored at MLK banquet

Berks hosts Lauer’s Park students for STEM program

Students attend workshops during National Biomechanics Day.

Penn State Berks to host National Biomechanics Day on April 11

More News

Penn State Berks

Tulpehocken Road, P.O. Box 7009
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6000
Locations of Penn State's campuses throughout Pennsylvania with Penn State Berks highlighted

Secondary Menu

  • Hotline
  • Contact Us
  • Give Now

Call to Action Menu

  • Visit Us
  • Apply Now
Nestled on 258 beautifully landscaped acres in Berks County and easily accessible from anywhere in eastern Pennsylvania and neighboring states.
Information for:

Information Menu

  • Future Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Continuing Education

Footer Menu

  • +This is Penn State
    • Chancellor's Welcome
    • Penn State Berks at a Glance
    • Campus Leadership
    • Advisory Board
    • Our History
    • Freyberger Gallery
  • +Academics
    • Baccalaureate Degrees
    • Registrar
    • Course Schedule
    • Academic Calendar
    • Academic Advising Center
    • Thun Library
  • +Admissions
    • First Year Students
    • Visit Us
    • En Español
    • Dual Enrollment
    • Adult Students
    • International Students
  • +Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarship Eligibility
    • Tuition & Cost Calculator
    • Paying Your Bill
  • +Research
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Research in Engineering, Business & Computing
    • Research in Humanities Arts and Social Sciences
    • Research in Science
  • +Continuing Education
    • Adult Learner Admissions
    • Middle School Summer Camps
    • High School Discovery Camps
  • +Resources
    • Canvas
    • First Year Seminar
    • LionPATH
    • Driving Directions
    • Faculty Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • University Police and Public Safety

Connect with Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram
Penn State University
Penn State University

Footer Info Menu

  • Employment
  • Map
  • Contact Us
  • Search
Tulpehocken Road, Reading, Pennsylvania 19610 | 610-396-6000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
The Pennsylvania State University © 2021