Science in College: Essential Courses to Consider

Even if you’re not pursuing a STEM degree, science disciplines play a big role in your academic path. You may need to take some science courses to fulfill your gen ed requirements, get the necessary prerequisites for a career in healthcare, or improve your scientific literacy.

Whatever the reason, college science classes help you build skills that support your academic, professional, and personal growth. Find out why science courses matter, the types of science classes you may take, how different majors approach science requirements, and how to choose the right online science course for your goals.

Why Should I Take a Science Course?

Science courses introduce students to the processes that shape the natural world, from cellular biology and human anatomy to chemical reactions, nutrition science, and environmental systems. Even if you don’t plan on majoring in a STEM-related field, science classes are incredibly valuable and often required as part of the general education curriculum.

Builds Critical Thinking Skills

Science teaches you how to analyze information, interpret data, test assumptions, solve problems, and think logically. These critical-thinking skills can transfer to business, marketing, criminal justice, psychology, education, and countless other programs.

Hands-On and Applied Learning

Many college science courses involve virtual labs, real-world case studies, or interactive simulations – especially in online formats. These experiences help deepen your understanding by showing how scientific concepts apply to living systems, technology, environmental challenges, or day-to-day life. 

Connects to Other Majors and Career Paths

Scientific thinking supports a wide range of academic fields. Nutrition and biology tie into the health sciences. Chemistry supports majors in engineering, environmental science, and pre-medical tracks. Public health courses can help strengthen careers in community organizations and healthcare administration. You may not have a science-focused major, but these courses expand your knowledge and support interdisciplinary studies.

Types of Science Courses

Colleges typically offer several categories of science classes:

Biology and Life Sciences

Biology explores living organisms, how they function, and how they interact with their environments. These courses are popular across majors like health sciences, nursing, psychology, biology, and pre-med.

Some common biology-related courses include:

• Human Biology (with or without lab) 
• Anatomy and Physiology I (with or without lab)
• Anatomy and Physiology II (with or without lab)
• Microbiology (with or without lab)
• Introduction to Nutrition

These courses help you understand the human body, disease processes, microbiological systems, and nutritional health, which is essential for students in medical or health-related fields.

Chemistry

Chemistry courses examine matter, chemical reactions, energy, and how substances interact. Chemistry knowledge is foundational for nursing, engineering, environmental science, biology, forensics, and general STEM fields.

Some common chemistry courses include: 

• Introduction to Chemistry (with or without lab)
• Organic Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

These courses build a foundation in chemistry principles and prepare for more advanced majors that have a heavy chemistry component.

Health, Wellness, and Public Health

These science courses focus on human health, wellness, and disease prevention. They are especially valuable for students pursuing careers in healthcare, public service, community outreach, education, or fitness. 

Some common health-focused courses include:

• Health, Fitness, and Wellness
• Introduction to Nutrition
• Public and Community Health

These courses explore topics like personal wellness, public health strategies and policies, health promotion, and community health systems.

Environmental and Earth Sciences

Environmental and earth science courses examine ecosystems, sustainability, climate patterns, and the natural processes shaping the planet.

Some common environmental courses include: 

• Environmental Science
• Atmospheric Science
• Geology
• Oceanography
• Hydrology

These courses explore environmental challenges, the physical components of the earth, and human impact on natural systems. Students in environmental policy, conservation, sustainability, and even business may benefit from taking these classes.

Physics

Physics is foundational across many STEM programs. It’s a core scientific discipline that helps you understand the fundamental laws that govern energy, matter, motion, and the forces shaping the physical world. Many colleges require physics as part of their general education pathways, even for non-STEM degree programs. 

Some common physics courses include:

• General or Introductory Physics
• Algebra-Based Physics
• Calculus-Based Physics

Lower-level physics courses support other sciences and prepare you for specialized physics courses like mechanics, electricity, magnetism, or physics for life sciences. Even fields that aren’t heavily science-focused, like healthcare, may require physics to understand topics like biomechanics, imaging technologies, or motion for physical therapy or exercise science.

What Majors Will Require Science Courses?

College science requirements vary by institution and degree program. Here are some common majors or fields that typically require science coursework.

Health and Medical Fields

Nursing, pre-med, biomedical sciences, exercise science, public health, medical assisting, and healthcare administration often require science courses to prepare for clinical practice, patient care, health research, and community health work. Some common courses include:

• Anatomy and Physiology I & II
• Microbiology
• Nutrition
• Human Biology
• Chemistry
• Public and Community Health

Engineering and Technology

Careers in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, information systems, and biotechnology generally require introductory hard sciences like:

• Chemistry
• Physics
• Calculus and advanced math
• Biology (for bioengineering)
• Environmental Science (depending on specialty)

Environmental and Sustainability Majors

Careers in environmental science, sustainability studies, ecology, environmental policy, conservation science, and agriculture typically require foundational science courses and earth or environmental science courses. Some common requirements include:

• Environmental Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Ecology-focused biology
• Public and Community Health (depending on program)

Mathematics and Statistics

While math isn’t traditionally considered a science course, many math and statistics programs require foundational science classes, such as physics or chemistry, to support quantitative reasoning and real-world applications. Some of the common required courses include:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• General science electives

Liberal Arts and General Education Majors

Majors in education, psychology, communications, sociology, business, or humanities require some science courses for a well-rounded education and scientific literacy. Some of the common courses include:

• Human Biology
• Environmental Science
• Nutrition
• Public and Community Health
• Health, Fitness, and Wellness
• Intro to Chemistry

How to Choose the Right Online Science Classes

With so many options available, choosing the right science course depends on your degree goals, career paths, and personal interests.

Start with Your Degree Requirements

Review your program’s academic plan or talk with your advisor to determine:

• How many science credits you need
• Whether labs are required
• Whether you need specific courses

Consider Your Career Goals

Planning to enter a health or STEM field? You’ll likely need structured courses like Anatomy and Physiology, microbiology, or chemistry. Exploring education, business, or psychology also often includes general science courses like human biology or environmental science.

Choose Courses That Match Your Interests

If you’re unsure of your career path, select a course that appeals to your personal interests. For example, nutrition and health courses are relevant to everyone. Maybe you’re interested in astronomy or marine biology, so taking the proper prerequisites allows you to explore these passions in higher-level electives apart from your degree program.

Speak with Your Advisor

Advisors can help you understand which science courses align with your academic plan, degree requirements, and transfer policies. They may recommend whether you should choose courses with or without a lab, based on your pathway.

Talk to Students or Professionals in the Field

People already working in your desired field can offer insight into which science courses were most valuable. Their experiences may guide you toward the best elective choices. If you don’t know anyone personally in the field, consider joining communities like r/zoology or r/askanthropology to connect with professionals.

Review Accreditation and Transferability

• Always confirm that your online science course is:
• Offered by a reputable institution or learning platform
• Accredited or ACE-recommended
• Accepted by your chosen school for credit

Accreditation is important for transfer courses from colleges or universities. However, online learning platforms like Sophia are not eligible for accreditation because they don’t offer degree programs. Instead, ACE-recommendations and positive learning outcomes can help you determine quality.

Understand How Online Labs Work

Online labs usually have features to simulate the in-person lab experience, such as virtual experiments, interactive simulations, case studies, and video-based demonstrations. If your requirement includes a lab or you want the additional learning opportunity of lab work, make sure you choose a course that offers a rich, interactive virtual lab experience that enhances your coursework.

Build a Scientific Foundation, No Matter Your Major

Science classes help develop critical thinking, real-world problem-solving skills, and foundational knowledge that supports many different careers. Whether you’re in STEM, preparing for healthcare, or completing gen ed requirements, taking science courses can help you reach your educational goals. Take the first step with Sophia’s self-paced science courses and a free trial today!