There are a lot of marketable biology degrees, but you should work toward one that has the most applications and the best job prospects. General biology is not very marketable. Look at programs like Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Immunology. They offer a more solid back up plan if you think you would enjoy lab work, research, or academia. Obviously, a graduate degree would give you more income potential in these fields…but they all have decent entry level job prospects… even as four year endeavors. Biology or a “Premed” degree…not so much.
Other majors that work well for Premed students: Math, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology. (you don’t have to be a Biology major to take the MCAT and try to get into medical school)
Here’s what’s on the test:
There are four MCAT sections, namely: (1) Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; (2) Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (3) Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; and (4) Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior.
Whatever major you pursue…find a way to be well prepared on these topics for a good MCAT score.