Why Study Life Sciences?

Diverse undergraduate and graduate degrees

At ASU School of Life Sciences, we believe in the power of interdisciplinary study. In a world as diverse as ours, there are endless possibilities to learn about the life sciences by considering new and unexpected perspectives. Through our engaging classes, state-of-the-art labs and interactions with our award-winning faculty, you’ll have many opportunities to pursue science that's interesting and challenging.

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Job Opportunities in the Life Sciences

A degree in life sciences can lay the foundation for countless careers. In a world teeming with life, there’s a new avenue of exploration around every corner. Through engaging classes and dozens of research opportunities, life science majors will develop their critical thinking skills and learn how to be scientists who can adapt to a rapidly changing world. With so many opportunities under the umbrella of life sciences, there are dozens of specialties to choose from.

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We strive for excellence in our teaching, our research and our service to the community. We aim to inspire your personal journey and transform your career in the life sciences. Our structure allows us to respond to the educational needs of our students and to innovate learning opportunities in unique ways you can only find at Arizona State University.

Joshua Niska in the lab

Top School for Medical and Professional Schools

Any of our cutting-edge undergraduate degrees will prepare you for attending medical or professional school. Of all academic units, the School of Life Sciences has had more students accepted into medical school (each year since 2010) than any other school at ASU.

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Megan Murphy at poster symposium

Incredible Research Opportunities

As a public research university ranked #1 in the nation in innovation, you will find unique research opportunities that will both enrich your college experience and prepare you for the next step in your career. Work side-by-side with faculty members who are at the top of their field.

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“We foster creativity and combinations of concentrations to make degree programs that satisfy unique career tracks. Jobs aren’t necessarily created themselves, so people have to create the opportunities and initiatives. School of Life Sciences and ASU is a place you can do that.”

Professor Kevin McGraw

“People here love to work together on really important and complicated problems. To do that, we need teams of people with all the best and brightest ideas. And, we need all different kinds of people to help solve these problems.”

Sharon Hall

Associate Professor

"We want you to have the skills — the ability to communicate science, to teach science, and to understand science where it intersects with larger public issues. We want you to be able to do that for the future and into the future, especially."

Jane Maienschein

University Professor

Career Opportunities


Physicians and Surgeons — 14 percent growth in the next decade. Average yearly pay: $187,200	Conservation Science — 7 percent growth in the next decade. Average yearly pay: $60,220
Epidemiology — 10 percent growth in the next decade. Average yearly pay: $65,270	Microbiology — 7 percent growth in the next decade. Average yearly pay: $66,260
Environmental Science — 11 percent growth in the next decade. Average yearly pay: $66,250	Medical Science — 13 percent growth in the next decade. Average yearly pay: $79,930
Post secondary Teaching — 13 percent growth in the next decade. Average yearly pay: $70,790	Wildlife Biology — 4 percent growth in the next decade. Average yearly pay: $58,270