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Studies & Degrees in Applied Biological Sciences

Applied biological sciences use biology to solve practical problems in agriculture, food, health, industry and the environment. Where a general biology degree asks how living systems work, an applied programme asks what can be done with that knowledge: breeding crops, keeping farm animals healthy, producing useful substances with microorganisms, managing ecosystems or monitoring the sea. The University of Tokyo's Department of Applied Biological Chemistry sums up the approach as the analysis of biological phenomena that matter for basic and applied fields, and the production of useful materials for human life by biological and chemical techniques.

Students start with the same foundations as other biologists: cell and molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, ecology, chemistry and statistics. They then specialise in an area of application, with a large share of laboratory and field work. Common areas are plant and crop science, animal science, food science, biotechnology, environmental and marine biology.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degrees. The name of the degree varies by country. The University of British Columbia (UBC) awards a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology; its four-year Applied Animal Biology programme covers animal behaviour and physiology as they apply to farm, companion and other animals, with internships, a practicum and optional co-op work placements. In the United Kingdom a bachelor's degree with honours normally takes three years: the University of Northampton lists a Biological Sciences BSc of three years full time, or four with a foundation year or part time, with a placement option, and Newcastle University a three-year Biology BSc. In Spain, official bachelor's degrees (grados) have 240 ECTS credits; applied biology is taught there mainly through degrees such as biotechnology, environmental sciences, food science and agricultural engineering.
  • Master's degrees. Much of the specialisation happens at master's level. The University of Copenhagen teaches an MSc in Biology with five specialisations and a thesis of 45 or 60 ECTS, entirely in English, and a two-year MSc in Agriculture with specialisations in Plant Science or in Production and Environment. Official Spanish master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.
  • Graduate schools and research. At the University of Tokyo, the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences has 12 departments, among them Applied Biological Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Agricultural and Environmental Biology. A doctorate is the usual route into independent research.
  • Short courses and field stations. Research institutes also teach. The ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) offers courses and internships in which university students from around the world work with its scientists.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 10 active schools for applied biological sciences: three in the United Kingdom, two in the United States, and one each in Japan, Denmark, Canada, Bermuda and Eswatini (listed as Swaziland). Among the universities are Newcastle University and the University of Northampton in the United Kingdom, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Tokyo, UBC in Vancouver, Southern Africa Nazarene University in Manzini and ASU BIOS in Bermuda. The list also includes two secondary schools, Grand River Academy in the United States and St Edward's School in Reading, which prepare for university study rather than award degrees.

Most of these programmes are taught in English, including the master's programmes in Copenhagen, where applicants must meet the language requirement the university calls English B. Entry requirements focus on previous study of biology and chemistry, and master's programmes ask for a related bachelor's degree. UBC notes that full-time international students who graduate from a bachelor's programme can obtain a post-graduation work permit for up to three years if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Careers

Graduates work in laboratories and in the field for agri-food and biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical firms, environmental consultancies, government agencies, hospitals and research institutes. Typical first jobs are laboratory or research technician, quality control analyst, field ecologist and technical sales specialist; research and specialist posts usually require a master's degree or a doctorate.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics gives figures for two occupations that graduates often enter. Biological technicians, who assist scientists with laboratory setup, data collection and observation, held about 74,400 jobs in 2025, 33 percent of them in scientific research and development services; employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 9,400 openings a year, and a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field is the typical requirement. Microbiologists held about 20,100 jobs in 2025, with projected growth of 6 percent over the same period.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between biology and applied biological sciences?

The foundations are the same. An applied programme adds a field of use, such as crops, animals, food, biotechnology or the environment, and usually more practical training through placements, field work or co-op terms.

How long does a degree take?

It depends on the country: four years for the Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology at UBC, three years for a full-time BSc at Northampton or Newcastle, and 240 ECTS credits for an official Spanish bachelor's degree. The MSc in Agriculture at the University of Copenhagen takes two years.

Can I study it in English outside English-speaking countries?

Yes, especially at master's level. At the University of Copenhagen all courses, written assignments and exams of the MSc in Biology are in English.

Do I need a master's degree to find work?

Not for technician roles: in the United States, biological technicians and microbiologists typically need a bachelor's degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Research careers usually continue with a master's degree and a doctorate.