Is Biology Major Hard? An Ultimate Guide (2023)

You are a science enthusiast looking forward to exploring Biology as your field of choice. Still, sometimes a question comes to mind.

Is Biology a major hard? 

It is a question many students ask when choosing a Biology major for college. As a biology expert, I have mentioned everything you need to know about biology and the life of a biology student. In this guide, we have answered some questions frequently asked.

• Is Biology Major Hard
• What makes Biology hard
• What are fields of study in Biology?
• Tips for Getting Started with a Biology Major
• And Many More

So, without any other discussion, Let’s Explore the hardships and solutions to Biology major studies.

Is Biology Major Hard?

Suppose you want to choose Biology as a major. In that case, this is the first question you should ask yourself: are you curious enough? You will not drag yourself into this subject. Your interest will decide which field is good for you or which field is not.

And Yes, if you’re interested in biology, the subject will become less complicated and more exciting than it will for someone who isn’t excited about life and its biological activities. 

Still, to make a better decision, we have provided extensive details to help you decide whether biology should be your final choice.

Why is Biology Major Hard? 6 Common Reasons You Should Know

1. Extensive Research:

To study living organisms, you must follow theoretical and practical methods. It means you first know how a living cell and a whole organism work, then to comprehend the concepts of it better, you will practically test these concepts in the labs, find the results, and predict them based on the theory.

Many biological inventions have occurred in the lab rooms when the researchers weren’t even working on them.

It shows us that a person studying living phenomena should have a knack for unpredicted results and a sense of curiosity to work beyond the theory.

2. Vast Learning Material:

The human body is, in itself, a whole world. If you want to understand it, you must understand its living processes, like how life’s existence is possible on earth, how it has evolved with time, the defense mechanisms of a body, and various other things. 

Later, you have to memorize all these phenomena and practically see the structures and functions of a living organism.

When you enter the world of biology, you find an intricate network; everything is connected to the other. It can be complicated to comprehend sometimes, but as you pay attention and search, everything will get simplified.

3. Career Options:

You might be thinking, what after college, like if you are going to do such extensive studying and spend a considerable amount of time in it, then what can you get from it?  Well, there are plenty of branches of biology. 

You can choose any field of biology in which you are more interested, like medicine, microbiology, immunology, physiology, molecular biology, and others.  Then, it is up to you how far you want to go.

One can do a four-year BS in any of these fields, then pursue a master’s and even a Ph.D. 

4: High Competition

Every year, thousands of students get admitted by prestigious universities to do their Bachelor’s and master’s in different fields of biology. So, the competition for getting scholarships and stipends is high.

Thus, to get the chance to study in medical schools and life sciences institutes of your choice, you need to be an efficient biology student. A pro in understanding the theory of living processes and also well-aware of laboratory practices. 

Furthermore, advancements are coming in every field of life sciences quickly. So, you need to look for the latest advancements in your field and find the tools to help in doing in-depth research.

5: Biology Students’ Daily Routine

The mornings are devoted to lectures around 3-5 a day, and you will also spend sufficient time in labs. Other than this, a reasonable amount of time will also go into revising your theory and writing essays and research papers, which means reading various books and online articles.

You will also get the chance to attend lectures on the advancements of your field given by celebrated personalities. So, you must also manage your schedule to make time for that.

It sounds like a lot of work, but students who have a good study plan and who are enthusiastic about this field seem to manage it and save some time for the gym or any other extra-curricular activity.

6: Fields of Biology 

As said earlier, biology is a vast field with many subfields. You study biology major in college and get the idea of how you want to shape your career, whether you want to be a doctor and then start getting information regarding medical schools or want to choose any subfield of biology and be an expert in it. Below are the lists of subfields of biology.

• Anatomy and physiology              
• Animal behavior              
• Biochemistry
• Cancer Biology  
• Cell Biology        
• Ecology                
• Entomology       
• Evolution            
• Genetics (and Human biology)
• Ichthyology
• Microbiology
• Nutrition
• Ornithology
• Plant Biology (Botany)
• Population Genetics

Fields in Biology are so diversified that it makes many students at sixes and sevens and makes it hard to make decisions.

4 Most Valuable Tips to Get You Started in Biology Major

Many students have felt they were scoring good grades in high school, but their grades haven’t been the same in college. One of the main reasons for getting lower marks in college as compared to what you used to get in school can be the same study plan you used in college.

College life is entirely different from school life. To excel in it, you need a different study plan and some essential tips that we have mentioned below:

1. Get the Prior Knowledge:

When you are going to start a new topic in the class, and your professor has informed you about it, then you should at least search for what it is about and get a brief knowledge of it. 

This way, when the lecture on this topic is given, you will be ready to go in-depth as you already know about the basics. This tip will help you understand any lecture better, as you won’t find it hard anymore.

2. Management of Your Time:

You can only leave some things at the last minute and expect to score well or completely understand every topic. There are many courses involved in one major, so whatever your major is, you need to plan to give each topic the time necessary to study it in-depth. 

No one can make the best study plan for you, but you can do it yourself because you know your strengths and weaknesses. 

Furthermore, talk to your seniors and learn how they manage their studies, readings, assignments, and exams. Based on that knowledge and your analysis of your daily routine, make a timetable for yourself and follow it strictly.

3. Always Read Your Notes:

Once the class has ended, do not think about getting out of it at once and chill in the cafeteria. It is a great idea; you need to feel fresh now more than ever. Still, try to go through your notes at least once after the lecture ends.

This way, you can understand the crucial points more quickly and write down any questions regarding this topic. 

Moreover, you will be able to learn the topic more easily because it is still fresh in your mind.

4. Take Assistance From Teacher:

If you think you have an issue with some topic, then don’t hesitate to go to your professor or lecturer and ask them about it. Find out about any college discussion groups and other academic sessions. 

Always attend seminars as they are essential to let you know what is currently happening in your field, boost your interest further in your major, and allow you to meet with the finest academic personalities.

FAQs

1. How Hard Is Biology In College?

As mentioned earlier, college biology is more complex than the one you have been taught in school. But you are interested in studying this subject and want to make your career in it. In that case, it is one of the most exciting subjects, and with proper time management and the right study plan, it will become easy.

2. Is A Biology Major Math Heavy?

No, as the mathematics involved in Biology major is very little and mostly related to calculations use in laboratory practices.

3. How Hard is the Biology Major Field Test?

Its difficulty depends on your preparation level and your knowledge of biology concepts. There are 150 MCQs to answer in the given time of 2 hours. The test covers many topics to check your understanding of them and critical thinking skills. If you have mastered the biology topics in this test, you won’t have much difficulty passing the MFT.

4. Are Biology Majors Worth It?

Yes, they are. Biology is one of the most chosen majors by college students. Many career paths originated from this single major. 

5. Why Is Biology So Hard For Students?

It is complicated for students because there are many things to study. Every subject is related to other subjects, so you have to have a complete command of every one of its subjects to understand biology.

6. Is Biology Major Harder Than Nursing

It depends on what you prefer to study. Biology is a vast field that requires extensive study, research, and writing academic articles, and it requires critical thinking of a person to analyze a problem and find its solution. While nursing is about practical clinical skills and how to care for patients.

7. Is Biology Hard In High School

It can be more challenging for some students than others, but a great study plan and a good focus on your subject can make it easy for you and help you get good grades.

8. Is Biology Major Hard In College

If it is compared to high school, then yes. There are many topics that you have only got a brief introduction to when you were in school. Now, in college, you will theoretically and practically study them. Showing complete dedication to this field will reward you with knowledge, wisdom, and a great career.

9. Why You Shouldn’t Major In Biology

You shouldn’t when you are not interested in studying it. If you are not considering choosing a career in any field of biology, then don’t go through hectic study preparation, quizzes, assignments, literature reviews, and practicals. 

10. Is Biology A Good Major

Yes, it is for those interested in studying life and its processes, how living beings evolve, and how they adapt to their environment. To understand the complexities of a living system, one needs to study biology. Again, the question is, do you want to study life?

11. Is Biology A Competitive Major

Yes, it is a competitive major, as hundreds of students choose biology as their major in college. So you have a tough competition ahead of you. But you do not need to become better than all of them but to become excellent in your studies, and this will help you thrive in your academic and professional life.

12. Is It Hard to Get a Job in Biology Major?

It depends on many things, like the job requirements you are applying for, as some positions require enough experience in the field and some advanced degrees. The next thing is the job market conditions. Furthermore, the availability of a job depends upon the location. Some cities may have more growth opportunities in your field than others.

13. What Is the Salary of a Biology Major

Some of the highest-paying jobs for biology majors include:

• Physician and surgeon: $208,000/Year
• Dentist: $163,220/Year
• Pharmacist: $128,710/Year
• Optometrist: $118,840/Year
• Veterinarian: $93,830/Year
• Medical scientist: $91,210/Year
• Epidemiologist: $77,480/Year
• Microbiologist: $74,090/Year
• Biochemist and biophysicist: $73,980/Year
• Genetic counselor: $70,990/Year
• Environmental scientist: $69,090/Year

14. What Major Is Harder, Engineering or Biology?

It depends on what you are interested in, either maths or biology, because maths and physics are fundamental subjects in engineering. If you think you will give your best in studying engineering, then go for it, but with an interest in life sciences, you should pursue a biology major.

15. How Hard is a Perfect GPA As a Biology Major?

Maintaining a perfect GPA like 4.0 in your Biology major can be challenging because it demands consistently high performance in various biology subjects and labs. Maintaining a good GPA strongly focuses on solid study habits, time management, and a deep understanding of the topics. In addition, some advanced biology courses may be particularly challenging. Achieving a perfect GPA demands dedication, discipline, and a passion for your major.

Conclusion

Now you know what it is like to be a biology student at the college level, how can you make it as easy for you as possible by following the given tips and what career paths you can choose in biology? 

All in all, biology is one of the most exciting subjects. Every year, many advancements are introduced by scientists. So keep up with the trend and make sure to achieve the quality.