Biology is the study of life from both basic and applied perspectives across a broad range of analytical levels, from the molecule and cell to the organism and ecosystem. The major in biology provides a broad education directed toward an appreciation of the complexity of nature, and prepares students for careers in the biological, environmental, and medical sciences. The B.S. and B.A. majors in biology prepare students for careers in the health professions (including medical, dental, and veterinary) and in research or teaching in institutions of higher education, government, and private industry. Departmental majors gain a firm foundation in essential areas of biology through the core curriculum and have ample choices for study in various specialized subjects. A quantitative biology track in the B.S. major provides training in interdisciplinary computational approaches to studying biological questions. The department offers many opportunities for mentored undergraduate research and internships.
The biology department offers intensive advising services for our undergraduate students. The departmental advisor, Dr. Gidi Shemer (213A Coker Hall), will be happy to assist with course planning, career development, finding research opportunities, and any other question or concern with regards to the major. Biology majors interested in study abroad should contact Dr. Elaine Yeh to learn about opportunities and transfer credits. For general assistance with registration in courses and various forms, please contact the biology undergraduate student services registrar, Ms. Summer Montgomery in 213 Coker Hall.
The Department of Biology occupies parts of four buildings: Wilson Hall and its annex, Coker Hall, Fordham Hall, and the Genome Sciences Building. The department is served by the Kenan Science Library, located in Venable Hall, which provides research information services and resources for the basic sciences. In addition, the department has greenhouses on the fifth floor of the Genome Sciences Building, a microscopy facility that contains multiple confocal microscopes and associated support facilities, a P3 laboratory, animal care facilities, insect culturing rooms, and marine aquaria.
Those who plan careers in health sciences, including dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, and others, should consult with advisors in the Health Professions Advising Office in Steele Building. Special courses in marine science are offered through the Department of Biology and the Department of Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences at the Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, NC.
Majors
Minor
Graduate Programs
Shawn Ahmed, Albert S. Baldwin Jr., Victoria L. Bautch, Kerry S. Bloom, John F. Bruno, Christina L. Burch, Sabrina E. Burmeister, Frank L. Conlon, Gregory P. Copenhaver, Jeffrey L. Dangl, Robert J. Duronio, Terrence S. Furey, Patricia G. Gensel, Robert P. Goldstein, Tyson L. Hedrick, Allen H. Hurlbert, Corbin D. Jones, Joseph J. Kieber, Joel G. Kingsolver, Alain Laederach, Kenneth J. Lohmann, Amy S. Maddox, A. Gregory Matera, Ann G. Matthysse, Daniel R. Matute, Charles E. Mitchell, Mark A. Peifer, David W. Pfennig, Karin S. Pfennig, Jason W. Reed, Jeff J. Sekelsky, Maria R. Servedio.
Jill Dowen, Paul S. Maddox, Daniel J. McKay, Zachary Nimchuk, Stephen L. Rogers, Celia Shiau, Kevin C. Slep, Keith W. Sockman, Todd J. Vision.
Jiakun Chen, Xiao Feng, Rob Dowen, Kacy Gordon, Toshihide Hige, Parul Johri, Sophie McCoy, Eric Riddell, En Yang, Senay Yitbarek.
Corey S. Johnson, Gidi Shemer.
Mara Evans, Catherine M. F. Lohmann.
Jordan Claytor, Alaina Garland, Eric Hastie, Laura Ott, Lillian Zwemer.
Joerg Bauer, James Costa, Stephen T. Crews, Jean DeSaix, Joel Fodrie, Paul Gabrielson, Amy Gladfelter, Kelly Hogan, Julie Horvath, William F. Marzluff, Joseph Ruiz, John Salmeron, Aziz Sancar, Alecia Septer, Barbara D. Stegenga, Bryan Stuart, Brian Taylor, Damon Waitt, Alan S. Weakley, Scott E. Williams.
Alan M. Jones, Punita Nagpal, Robert K. Peet, Nathanael Prunet, Darrel W. Stafford, Jianke Tie, Michael Werner, Christopher S. Willett, Elaine Y. Yeh.
Paul Cardenas, Jaime Chaves, Juan Guayasamin, Alex Hearn, Antonio Leon-Reyes, Maria de Lourdes Torres, Gabriel Trueba.
Edward G. Barry, Aristotle Domnas, J. Alan Feduccia, Sarah R. Grant, William M. Kier, Gustavo P. Maroni, Steven W. Matson, Donald W. Misch, Edward D. Salmon, Tom Scott, Lillie L. Searles, Alan E. Stiven, Peter S. White, R. Haven Wiley.
Stated prerequisites are understood to mean “or equivalent” and may be waived by the course instructor for students who are adequately prepared. BIOL 101 / BIOL 101L is the prerequisite for most advanced work in biology. Entering first-year students may earn By-Examination (BE) credit for BIOL 101 / BIOL 101L by either
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can earn only placement credit (PL, 0 hours) for passing the departmental examination. Additional information is available on the department website.
Course numbers in the Department of Biology have been assigned according to the following principles:
BIOL 53. First-Year Seminar: Biotechnology: Genetically Modified Foods to the Sequence of the Human Genome. 3 Credits.
Restricted to first-year students. Introduction, in a first-year seminar, to recent advances in genetics and cell biology, and discussion and debate concerning how these advances are changing medicine, agriculture, and other aspects of our lives.