Science

In this program, you’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of matter, energy and their interactions, which are foundational to most branches of science. ASU is the first university to offer an online bachelor’s in physics with advanced laboratory coursework, vital for honing your experimental skills.

Through upper-division laboratory courses, you’ll tackle the same challenges faced by in-person students. You’ll work with electronic kits at home and engage with simulated experiments online, mastering equipment alignment protocols and managing noisy data. Additionally, you’ll enhance your experimental analysis abilities, strengthen your mathematics proficiency and refine your problem-solving skills.

What you can do with an online physics degree

With an online physics degree, you’ll be well-prepared for graduate programs in physics. To enhance your competitiveness, you’ll need to seek additional extracurricular activities, such as internships, research or individualized instruction. Research opportunities for online students are available through our Online Undergraduate Research Scholars (OURS) program.

Additionally, this bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master’s degrees include:

• Master of Science in materials science and engineering.

The differences between a BA and BS in physics

Both bachelor’s in physics programs provide a solid foundation in physical science and mathematics, however, they differ in several key ways. The BS is necessary for students planning to pursue a PhD, offering additional upper-division courses in quantum mechanics, electromagnetism and statistical mechanics, along with four advanced math courses. For those interested in math but not in research, the BS is still a strong option.

Differently, the BA in physics focuses on lower-division math courses that are less rigorous. BA students are required to complete intermediate-level language courses, whereas BS students take extra science and society courses instead. Importantly, you can start in the BA program and switch to the BS, or vice versa, if your goals or interests change.

Forensic science degrees focus on applying scientific methods to matters of law. In this program, you’ll explore the investigative and scientific principles behind examining different types of evidence from crime scenes. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with the analytical skills required to pursue jobs related to forensic investigations.

Scientific and technological advances, as well as increasing caseloads, mean there is expected to be an increased demand for skilled forensic technicians over the next decade. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth for forensic science technicians is projected to increase 13% from 2022-2032, much faster than average for all occupations.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop in this program

In this forensic science program, you’ll learn how to uncover and analyze evidence that can be used in court during criminal and civil cases. You’ll learn the essential science, investigative and communication skills needed to meet this demand and be successful in the field. The beginning of the program focuses on building strong foundational knowledge in biology, chemistry and math. You’ll take various lab courses, including two organic chemistry labs which must be completed in person.

Later in the program, you’ll take advanced forensic science courses covering the common techniques used in crime labs. Key course topics include forensic botany, toxicology, forensic anthropology, molecular genetics and more. These courses will teach you how to analyze crime scenes, fingerprints, DNA, blood patterns and other types of evidence. Graduates will be equipped to pursue careers or a graduate degree in forensics and other science-related fields.

Gain hands-on experience with in-person lab sessions

To gain necessary laboratory skills and hands-on experience, this program requires two separate, in-person lab experiences in Arizona.

The first lab experience includes one week at ASU’s Tempe campus to complete two organic chemistry labs, followed by a four-day in-person biochemistry lab session at the ASU West campus in Glendale. Alternatively, you may complete equivalent organic chemistry lectures and labs at an approved local college or university. The biochemistry lab, a 300-level course, cannot be taken at a community college.

To finish the program, you’ll complete a 5-day in-person session at the ASU West campus during the summer. This experience covers key forensic field skills including photography, fingerprint analysis, blood pattern analysis and DNA analysis.

Preveterinary medicine is an undergraduate degree concentration that prepares students for admission to veterinary school and a career in veterinary medicine or animal science.

Program coursework provides a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, math and animal science. It also offers specialized courses in veterinary medicine and opportunities to gain clinical hours or animal experience through internships and study abroad programs.

The online pre-vet major includes several advanced lab courses. Most are completed online, but the two organic chemistry labs must be taken in person at ASU’s Tempe campus. These are offered in a compressed one-week format over the summer. Learn more about the on-campus sessions and how to prepare.

What can I do with a preveterinary medicine degree concentration?

This concentration focuses on biology with an emphasis on animal behavior, anatomy and nutrition. You’ll have the opportunity to take classes exploring the field of veterinary medicine, ethical issues in biology, infectious diseases, comparative immunology and more. The preveterinary medicine concentration will help you develop the skills needed to effectively work with animals and use science to formulate solutions to various problems. These skills are important for many careers related to veterinary medicine, animal science and biology.

Why earn a pre-vet major?

Earning an applied biological sciences with a concentration in preveterinary medicine degree does not guarantee your admission into veterinary school, but it can help make you a competitive applicant. Our online preveterinary medicine degree concentration is designed to help you meet the common prerequisites required to apply to veterinary school. It also connects you with advisors who can help ensure you’re staying on track to apply to veterinary school or other animal-focused graduate programs.

Even if you’re a pre-vet major, it’s still important to thoroughly research the veterinary schools and graduate programs you’re most interested in applying to as each school has its own specific prerequisites and admission requirements. For more information on ASU’s pre-health education programs, please visit the ASU pre-health website.

Students must understand that completing this program does not guarantee admission to veterinary school. For students who may be interested in applying for veterinary school upon graduation, it is highly recommended they take the ABS 484 Internship course for experiential learning.

In this neuroscience program, you’ll study the brain and nervous system, which are two of the most complex biological structures. You’ll have the opportunity to analyze behavior, thoughts, consciousness and emotion related to the nervous system.

You’ll also learn the basic elements of the nervous system and how it functions in relation to cognition, behavior, thought and emotion in humans and animals through field research. Foundations in biochemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics and psychology provide you with a deeper understanding of the structure and function of the brain and nervous system.

Tailor your studies to fit your interests

Neuroscience provides opportunities to uncover the mystery of consciousness and to gain insight into health promotion and maintenance. With a variety of paths you can take, this program allows you to tailor your curriculum to fit your interests and goals. You’ll have the opportunity to select your upper-division courses from four focal areas of neuroscience that use different levels of analysis:

• Behavioral neuroscience: Learn about the biological processes of neural activity and transmission that underlie subsequent behavior, largely using animal models.
• Cellular and molecular neuroscience: Examine the basic biological processes of the neural cells, both individually and as they connect.
• Cognitive neuroscience: Study the correlation between brain processes and our thoughts and experiences of the world using a range of approaches that draw on neuroimaging and cognitive psychology.
• Systems neuroscience: Explore how the billions of neural cells work together in neural networks.

What can you do with a bachelor’s in neuroscience?

Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for a variety of careers in health and research. While many neuroscience career paths require a master’s- or doctorate-level degree, there are some that don’t, such as a clinical research assistant, health educator and more.

Building skills in computer programming, experimental design, behavioral understanding and data science will equip you as a marketable STEM professional. This degree also provides you with the foundations needed to continue on to medical school; however, it doesn’t prepare you for counseling psychology.

How this program compares to our biological sciences (neurology, physiology and behavior) degree

If you're fascinated by the human brain and nervous system, the BS in neuroscience is ideal for you. This program focuses on cognition, emotion and behavior, offering hands-on research experience and preparation for careers or graduate study in neuroscience, psychology, medicine and other health-related fields.

In contrast, the biological sciences (neurobiology, physiology and behavior studies) program explores multiple physiological systems across species and includes ecological, evolutionary and biomedical perspectives. The neuroscience degree, however, provides an approach that allows translation between both human and animal species, supporting the application of scientific insights to real-world questions about the mysteries of the mind and brain.

This program is the first of its kind to integrate three related areas of life science research: cell biology, developmental biology and genetics. Studying these fields together has advanced a better understanding of diseases, regeneration and aging, and promises to prove even more important in the future.

This program offers coursework at the intersection of genetics, genomes and developmental biology. You’ll also gain knowledge of fundamental concepts in biological sciences, chemistry, physics and statistics. Developing scientific process and critical thinking skills will prepare you for a variety of career or professional degrees in genetics, medicine and genomes. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for graduate and professional degrees in genetics, medicine and genomes.

How cell and developmental biology relate to genetics

Genetics examines the blueprints of life, providing critical information such as what makes living things unique, how diseases develop and how and when organisms live, survive and thrive.

While genes and genomes provide the instructions for all living things, this machinery of life is enclosed within the boundaries of cells. Since cells provide all activities critical for life, from metabolism to reproduction, cell biology serves as the nexus for understanding cellular function and connections and interactions across cells.

Cellular interconnectivity leads to the growth and development of tissues and organs, which is the foundation of developmental biology. Modern developmental biology uses both genetics and cell biology to understand how genes and the environment interact to produce an individual from a single cell as well as understand the various developmental changes that organisms undergo throughout life.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

This program is ideal if you’re interested in studying classical genetics, genomics, molecular biology, developmental biology, evolution, biochemistry, cellular biology or regenerative medicine. This concentration is also a good fit if you’re considering a career in epidemiology. Check out our article on how to become an epidemiologist.

This bachelor’s degree can also be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field.

Applicable master's degrees include:

• Master of Science in biology
• Master of Science in computational life sciences