In-demand careers

Biology plays an integral part in our social context. And as a biology and society major, you’ll study science from a humanities perspective. Biological research may impact society in diverse ways, such as adapting water systems, curing human diseases and protecting our planet.

The biology and society concentration curriculum covers bioethics, conservation, ecology, genomics and more. You'll engage in scientific inquiry and investigate ethical, historical, philosophical and social issues. It also explores the impact of biology on humanity and our environment. Additionally, you'll learn about past and present controversies of applications of biology, including gene editing, human cloning and stem cell research.

This program’s innovative courses enable new ways of learning and applying skills. Narrative storytelling tools such as Dreamscape Learn allow you to explore virtual worlds as a scientific investigator. In this interactive 2D environment, you’ll gather and analyze data to solve realistic problems in biology. Actively participating in the story will deepen your understanding and strengthen your problem-solving skills. Additional practical learning opportunities may include at-home lab kits, in-person lab sessions, internships and research.

The career paths and master’s programs this degree prepares you for

Studying biology ethics gives you a diverse skill set applicable to a variety of careers. Upon graduating, you’ll have quantitative reasoning and scientific abilities, as well as intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. You’ll relate biological concepts to social and historical problems and know how to communicate science ethically. These competencies have proven to be instrumental in both biological and humanities careers. Potential career fields for graduates include environmental law, public policy and public health.

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

Join the next generation of financial planning professionals by gaining the knowledge and skills needed to develop solutions for your clients’ personal financial needs. This program’s curriculum prepares you to assist clients in navigating life’s most important personal financial decisions, including financial investments, insurance needs and estate and tax planning.

This program is best suited for those seeking client-facing roles in the financial services industry. Students interested in working in corporate finance should check out the corporate accounting degree concentration, whereas those looking to become accountants should check out the bachelor’s in accountancy.

Personal financial advisor: An in-demand and high-paying career

As the population ages and life expectancy rises, the demand for financial planning services will increase. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of personal financial advisors is projected to rise 13% between 2022 and 2032, with 25,600 job openings projected each year, on average, during that time. That’s much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.

These roles are well-paid, too, with the median annual salary being $95,390 as of May 2022, per the BLS.

What you’ll learn in this program

Throughout your coursework, you’ll become skilled across multiple dimensions of the financial planning process. You’ll learn how to value financial assets and assess portfolio risk and performance. You’ll also become familiar with tax strategies and calculations around income realization, exclusions and deductions, passive activities, considerations of business forms, property transactions and the taxation of gift and estate transfers. Additionally, you’ll gain a variety of transferable skills, including:

• Communication.
• Critical thinking.
• Data analysis and quantitative reasoning.
• Management.
• Problem solving.

Graphic designers shape how information is shared through visual communication. You’ll study design principles, layout strategies and storytelling techniques to develop engaging messaging. This degree emphasizes responsible design practices and builds your ability to communicate visually beyond just mastering software tools. Upon graduation, you’ll possess a wide range of transferable skills and competencies needed to succeed as a graphic designer, such as:

• Book design
• Color
• Critical thinking
• Environmental design
• Motion graphics
• Seeing, drawing and translating
• Strategic problem solving
• Storytelling
• 3D design
• Typography
• Visual literacy

Who's a good candidate for this graphic design program?

This program is designed for students who are curious, adaptable and excited to learn through hands-on projects. You’ll be a great fit if you’re looking to sharpen your critical thinking while using design to communicate meaningful ideas.

You’ll also thrive if you appreciate deep, thoughtful learning and are ready to participate in digital coursework. Please note this program does not teach specific, in-depth design software. You will, however, have opportunities to develop your technical skills independently with support from resources.

This medicinal chemistry concentration takes an interdisciplinary approach to natural science, combining biology, chemistry and pharmacology. This program is especially useful if you’re interested in pursuing drug discovery, research, and development in the future. In this program, you’ll delve into the molecular intricacies of biological systems and their implications in health science, from diagnosis to bioengineered treatments. You'll graduate equipped with a deep understanding of chemical reactions in living organisms and their medical applications.

Hands-on experimentation will enhance your understanding and enable you to apply biochemical principles to medicine design. This will cultivate your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing you for success in graduate studies and careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. For more information about pre-health education at ASU, please visit our pre-health website.

Get hands-on experience with in-person and virtual lab opportunities

This online biochemistry degree includes both online and in-person lab courses. Many of your lab requirements, such as in physics and general chemistry courses, can be completed online using at-home lab kits.

You’re also required to complete the organic chemistry and biochemistry labs in person at ASU’s Tempe campus. During this experience, you’ll learn professional techniques, including scientific theory, technical skills and communicating results effectively in writing. You may be able to complete these courses at an approved accredited institution near you, but equivalencies aren’t guaranteed. Please note it’s important to work with your academic advisor to confirm transfer eligibility.

Gaining practical skills in the lab can set you apart when applying to graduate and professional programs in health and the sciences. Learn more about the on-campus sessions and how to prepare.

Choose the right biochemistry degree for your career goals

ASU offers three online biochemistry bachelor’s degrees designed to support a variety of academic and professional paths:

• Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry
  • Offers more flexibility in electives and is ideal if you’re pursuing a career that combines biochemistry with other fields, such as education, communication or business.
• Bachelor of Science in biochemistry
  • Emphasizes a strong foundation in chemistry, biology and physics with lab experiences that prepare you for graduate programs and careers in science and medicine.
• Bachelor Science in biochemistry – medicinal chemistry
  • Focuses on the design and development of pharmaceuticals and therapeutics, making it a good fit if you’re interested in drug discovery, pharmacology or biotechnology.

If you choose one of the BS degrees, you can apply for 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 computational life sciences

In this program, you'll gain expertise in conducting scientific research and applying biomedical concepts in clinical, academic and industrial settings. You’ll explore fundamental concepts in biological sciences, chemistry, physics and statistics and the ability to understand and apply core biomedical concepts. Additionally, you’ll examine the role of medicine in society and can take courses related to cancer, neurobiology, medical anthropology and more.

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 biology
• Master of Science in computational life sciences

The difference between biological science and biomedical science

Biomedical science is focused on human health, disease and medical applications. Majoring in this discipline prepares you for careers where you’ll apply scientific knowledge to improve human health; whether in research, diagnostics or healthcare settings. It’s a versatile field with opportunities in academia, industry and healthcare systems.

Biological sciences is broader, covering all life forms and their interactions. If a more expansive biology curriculum better aligns with your career and postgraduate goals, consider our main biological sciences bachelor’s degree.

Learn biology like you never thought possible

This program’s innovative courses enable new ways of learning and applying skills. Narrative storytelling tools such as Dreamscape Learn allow you to explore virtual worlds as a scientific investigator. In this interactive 2D environment, you’ll gather and analyze data to solve realistic problems in biology. Actively participating in the story will deepen your understanding and strengthen your problem-solving skills. Additional practical learning opportunities may include at-home lab kits, internships and research.

Additionally, you’ll gain hands-on learning by completing labs in person for certain chemistry and biochemistry courses on ASU’s Tempe campus.

Learn more about in-person lab sessions and how to prepare.

This program helps you grow as an intentional practitioner through observation, assessment, purposeful planning and reflective practice. You’ll learn to support early development before kindergarten to help maximize each child’s potential and learning outcomes. Coursework focuses on individualized teaching approaches, effective classroom organization and positive child guidance.

As a graduate, you can make a meaningful impact on young children, families and communities. Many careers increasingly prefer or require a bachelor’s degree, including roles as a childcare professional, childcare center director or instructional specialist. Earning this degree demonstrates advanced preparation to support early learning and child development.

While this program doesn’t lead to teacher certification, it provides a strong foundation for graduate study. You can choose ASU’s online master’s degree in early childhood education to broaden your age specialization or pursue the teacher certification graduate certificate, a two-semester program aligned with Arizona Department of Education requirements.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

This program is designed for newcomers to education, volunteers and experienced professionals working in early childhood settings. Regardless of your experience level, you’ll gain the tools to advocate for and support young children’s development while strengthening your skills in intentional planning and teaching, communication and family-centered practices. Courses offer opportunities to work directly with children from birth to age 5, so you can apply theory in real-world settings.

If you already hold an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in early childhood education, ASU’s online Bachelor of Applied Science in early childhood studies could be a better fit.

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 time and money while providing advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master's degrees include:

• Master of Education in early childhood special education
• Master of Education in early childhood special education – teacher certification
• Master of Education in elementary education
• Master of Education in elementary education – teacher certification