BSc Biology subjects : Semester Wise Subject List & Books

Updated on May 20, 2025 01:14 IST
Sarjana Sinha

Sarjana SinhaContent Writer

BSc Biology full form is Bachelor of Science in Biology. BSc Biology is an undergraduate degree that continues for a duration of 3 years and requires at least a Class 12 qualification. A BSc Biology degree includes the study of core subjects like Biophysics, Systems Physiology, Growth and Reproduction, Biodiversity, etc.

BSc Biology admissions are mostly merit-based, but a few colleges also demand entrance exam scores. Some of the most common BSc Biology entrance exams are CUET UG, IISER, SAT India, BITSAT, NEST, etc.

BSc Biology subjects have 14 core courses, 13 elective courses, and 8 skill & ability enhancement courses. Students can read below for more detailed information on the BSc Biology semester-wise syllabus. BSc Biology graduates can also prepare for government examinations like UPSC CSE.

How many semesters are there in B.Sc. Biology?

The BSc Biology course includes a total of 6 semesters, which are studied over a course duration of 3 years. The number of semesters and duration vary from one college to another. Each semester is categorically divided into core courses, general elective courses, discipline-specific elective courses, and skill enhancement courses.

Students can choose either a BSc in Biology as an honors subject or take Biology as part of the Mathematical Science subjects. Students need to choose from the pool of elective courses and skill enhancement courses based on requirements.

Types of BSc Biology Courses and Credits

Candidates can check the table below to get information on BSc Biology courses and the credits that are provided to students.

Types of BSc Biology Courses

No. of Courses and Credits

Core Courses

14 (84 credits)

Discipline-Specific Elective Courses

9 (24 credits) (choose any four)

General Elective Courses

4 (24 credits)

Ability Enhancement Compulsory Courses

2 (4 credits)

Skill Enhancement Elective Courses

6 (8 credits) (choose any two)

BSc Biology Subjects: Semester-wise

The following table shows a semester-wise syllabus of BSc Biology Hons. with classification between core courses and elective courses.

BSc Hons. Biology Courses

Semesters

Course Syllabus

 

 

 

 

 

Core Courses

Semester - I

  • Chemistry
  • Light and Life

Semester - II

  • Biophysics
  • Biodiversity

Semester - III

  • Proteins and Enzymes
  • Concepts in Cell Biology
  • Functional Ecology

Semester - IV

  • Systems Physiology
  • Concepts of Molecular Biology
  • Metabolism and Integration

Semester - V

  • Growth and Reproduction
  • Fundamentals of Genetics

Semester - VI

  • Defense Mechanisms
  • Concepts of Evolutionary Biology

 

 

 

Discipline-Specific Elective Courses

 

 

 

Semester I to VI

  • Analytical Techniques in Plant Sciences
  • Stress Biology
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Animal Behavior and Chronobiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Biomaterials
  • Microbiology
  • Plant Biochemistry

General Elective Courses

Semester I to VI

  • Biodiversity
  • Animal Diversity
  • Plant Ecology and Taxonomy
  • Aquatic Biology

Disclaimer: The information provided above is taken from external sources and may vary.

BSc Biology Subjects: Skill Enhancement Courses

The following table shows a detailed syllabus of BSc Biology skill and ability enhancement courses followed in colleges of India.

BSc Biology Courses

Course Syllabus

 

 BSc Biology Skill Enhancement Courses

Medicinal Botany

Bio fertilizers

Medical Diagnostics

Public Health and Management

Biochemical Techniques

Recombinant DNA Technology

 BSc Biology Ability Enhancement Compulsory Courses

English communication

Environmental science

Disclaimer: The information provided above is taken from external sources and may vary.

BSc Biology Subjects: Popular Books and Authors

The following list shows some of the most popular books preferred by students for BSc Biology courses.

BSc Biology Popular Books

Author Name

Microbiology

Pelczar, M. J.

Biochemistry

Campbell, M. K.

Introduction to Fungi

Webster, J., Weber, R.

Principles of Genetics

Gardner, E. J., Simmons, M. J., & Snustad, D. P.

Fundamentals of Ecology

Odum, E. P.

Cell Biology

Karp, G.

Concepts of Genetics

Klug, W. S., Cummings, M. R., Spencer, C. A.

Organic Evolution

Veer Bala Rastogi

Disclaimer: The information provided above is taken from external sources and may vary.

Distance BSc Biology Syllabus

The following table shows some of the popular distance colleges for a BSc Biology degree along with their tuition fees. 

Distance BSc Biology Colleges in India

Total Tuition Fees (annually)

Netaji Subhas Open University

INR 15,000

Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University

INR 8,890

Nalanda Open University

INR 7,200

Dr. C. V. Raman University

INR 55,500

Saraswati Distance Education

INR 37,500

Disclaimer: The information provided above is taken from external sources and may vary.

BSc Biology Syllabus in Best Colleges of India

The following table shows some of the best BSc Biology colleges in India along with their detailed BSc Biology syllabus PDF.

Best BSc Biology Colleges in India

BSc Biology Syllabus

Banaras Hindu University

Banaras Hindu University BSc Biology Syllabus

IISc Bangalore

IISc Bangalore BSc Biology Syllabus

Loyola College

Loyola College BSc Biology Syllabus

Madras Christian College

Madras Christian College BSc Biology Syllabus

Sri Venkateswara College

Sri Venkateswara College BSc Biology Syllabus

BITS Pilani

BITS Pilani BSc Biology Syllabus

JSS Academy Mysore

JSS Academy BSc Biology Syllabus

Disclaimer: The information provided above is taken from external sources and may vary.

Table of contents
  • Popular BSc Biology Colleges in India
  • Popular Private BSc Biology Colleges in India
  • Popular BSc Biology Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses

Popular BSc Biology Colleges in India

Following are the most popular BSc Biology Colleges in India. Learn more about these BSc Biology colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
3 K - 2.4 L
8 - 8.5 LPA
2.4 L - 20.18 L
3.4

B.Sc. Applications open. Apply Now

11 Courses
23.4 K - 6.2 L
6 LPA
12 Courses
540
8.4 LPA
5 Courses
1 K - 2.4 K
12 - 24 LPA
8 Courses
87.36 K - 93.81 K
9.5 LPA

Popular Private BSc Biology Colleges in India

2.8 L - 5.2 L
4.5 LPA
1.52 L - 6.37 L
4.4
2 Courses
4.09 L - 4.42 L
2.5 LPA
1.5 L

B.Sc. Applications open. Apply Now

5.4 L - 6.4 L
13 Courses
2.7 L - 6.5 L
4.2

B.Sc. Applications open. Apply Now

Popular BSc Biology Specializations

Following are the most popular BSc Biology Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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Firstly in 12th exam you have secured 50% marks in physics, chemistry and biology related subject.

For admission to the B.Sc. (Hons.) Biology Group at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) through the CUET UG, you must choose the following three domain subjects in Section II of the CUET application form:

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