Biological Science

Biology is a rapidly changing science that incorporates molecular and cellular biology; behavioral and molecular ecology; developmental biology; organismal, ecological and evolutionary genetics; microbiology; aerobiology; molecular systematics; and neuroscience. Flexible degree requirements lead to careers in the biology and health fields or graduate school.

The Department of Biological Science offers B.S., B.A., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.

Research opportunities allow undergraduate and graduate students to work directly with professors in laboratories as well as ecological field sites such as the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve, the Oklahoma Cross Timbers and the Ozark Mountains. Students are encouraged to participate in the local chapters of the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society and Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-med honor society and are often invited to present research at nationwide conferences.

Bachelor of Arts or Science in Biological Sciences

Students who complete the undergraduate program will demonstrate skills relevant to:

1. Display fundamental understanding of basic genetics and evolution.
2. Demonstrate basic knowledge of cell structure and function and molecular biology.
3. Demonstrate basic knowledge of comparative organismic diversity.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of basic organismal adaptations to ecological environments.

Let’s start with your grade point average (GPA). Yale admissions officers will calculate based on your high school transcript, which you’ll submit with your overall application.

Last year, the reported average high school GPA of an admitted student at Yale was a 4.19 out of 4.0, what we call a “weighted” GPA. However, unweighted GPAs are not very useful, because high schools weight GPAs differently. In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Yale. That means nearly straight As in every class.

Yale, like the rest of the Ivy League and most other colleges, requires either the SAT or ACT for admission. They have no preference between them, so choose the test that’s a better fit for you, thoroughly prepare for it, and plan to take it multiple times.

The average SAT and ACT composite scores for admitted students at Yale varies, as you can see in the table below. However, keep in mind that unless you fall into certain privileged categories (athletes, legacies, donors, etc.), your SAT/ACT score should be closer to the 75th percentile than the 25th percentile to ensure you’re maximizing your chances of admission.

TOEFL or IELTS is required of most applicants whose native language is not English.

If you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years, you are exempt from the English Language Test requirement and are not required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS. 

No exemptions are made on the basis of an advanced degree (e.g. M.A./M.S. or Ph.D.) from any institution.

When you complete your application, you will answer questions about your native language and the primary language of instruction at your baccalaureate institution. If either was English, you will not be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores when you submit your application. No separate documentation is necessary. 

Identify the program and degree you want.

Verify the application deadline for your program.

Determine what standardized tests you need to take. Register early.

Determine what standardized tests you need to take. Register early.

Complete your application.