Biological Sciences (BS)
There are five different avenues to earning a B.S. in Biological Sciences at NC State. Students studying for a degree in Biological Sciences can opt for a general curriculum (BLS) or can choose to focus in a particular area by selecting one of four areas of concentration: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCD), Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology (IPN), Human Biology (HB), or Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology (EEC).听 All new first-year students interested in the B.S. in Biological Sciences start their studies in the NC State Life Sciences First Year Program.
The MCD curriculum offers students in-depth studies of the molecular and cellular basis of life and the development of multicellular organisms.
The IPN curriculum provides a comprehensive grounding in basic principles of physiology and neuroscience, as well as in-depth exposure to the application of these principles in understanding whole-organism function and the ways in which animals (including humans) cope with challenges presented by their environments.
The HB curriculum allows some flexibility for students to study the biology of humans as well as relevant aspects of the humanities and social sciences, while also requiring those science courses most often required by medical schools. It is designed to provide students with a solid education in the scientific and humanistic concepts that underlie modern health sciences and related areas of scientific research.
The EEC curriculum offers students in-depth studies in areas of biology at the level of the organism, populations and ecosystems. It is designed for students who have an interest in whole organisms and their biodiversity 鈥� what maintains it, what environmental changes affect it, and how to protect it in the face of various challenges.
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Exploring the Life Sciences | ||
| 尝厂颁听103 | Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences | 1 |
| Writing | ||
| Advanced Writing Requirement Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Biological Sciences | ||
| 尝厂颁听101 | Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 1 | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 1 | 4 |
| 叠滨翱听183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 1 | 4 |
| 叠滨翱听270 | Introduction to Evolution | 3 |
| 骋狈听311 | Principles of Genetics 1 | 4 |
| 惭叠听351 | General Microbiology 1 | 3 |
| Physiology 1 | 3 | |
| Physical & Mathematical Sciences | ||
| 惭础听131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 1 | 3 |
| 辞谤听惭础听141 | Calculus I | |
| 惭础听231 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 1 | 3 |
| 辞谤听惭础听241 | Calculus II | |
| 颁贬听101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| 颁贬听201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| 颁贬听221 | Organic Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab 1 | 1 |
| 颁贬听223 | Organic Chemistry II 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听224 | Organic Chemistry II Lab 1 | 1 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 4 | |
| College Physics I | ||
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 4 | |
| College Physics II | ||
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | ||
| Major Electives | ||
| Select one of the following Learning Experience Electives: | 3 | |
| Research in the Life Sciences II: Guided Research | ||
| Professional Experience | ||
| Research Experience | ||
| Teaching Experience | ||
| Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 1 | ||
| Life Science Electives | 12 | |
| Lab or Research Electives | 6 | |
| Additional STEM Electives | 9 | |
| GEP Courses | ||
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | |
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | ||
| GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement) | ||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) | 9 | |
| These electives cannot be taken at an elementary level after you have taken comparable coursework at a more advanced level. Students interested in graduate school or professional school should check the courses required for admission to the programs to which they plan to apply. | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
Advanced Writing Requirement Elective听
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 叠滨翱听267 | Research in the Life Sciences I: Research Skills | 3 |
| 颁翱惭听211 | Argumentation and Advocacy | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听214 | Introduction to Editing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听232 | Literature and Medicine | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听287 | Explorations in Creative Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听288 | Fiction Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听289 | Poetry Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听292 | Writing About Film | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听316 | Introduction to News and Article Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听323 | Writing in Rhetorical Traditions | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听332 | Communication for Business and Management | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听333 | Communication for Science and Research | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听381 | Creative Nonfiction Writing Workshop | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听388 | Intermediate Fiction Writing Workshop | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听389 | Intermediate Poetry Writing Workshop | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听416 | Advanced News and Article Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听417 | Editorial and Opinion Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听422 | Writing Theory and the Writing Process | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听425 | Analysis of Scientific and Technical Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听426 | Analyzing Style | 3 |
Physiology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 叠滨翱听240 | Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (A): Nervous, Skeletal, Muscular, & Digestive Systems | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听245 | Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (B): Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Renal Systems | 3 |
| 笔叠听321 | Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology | 3 |
| 笔叠听421 | Plant Physiology | 3 |
| 窜翱听250 | Animal Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
Life Science Electives听
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one option from each of the following four Groups for a total of at least 12 credit hours. | ||
| Group I: Evolution and Biodiversity | 3 | |
| 叠滨翱听315 | General Parasitology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听330 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听432 | Evolutionary Medicine | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听440 | The Human Animal: An Evolutionary Perspective | 3 |
| 惭叠听451 | Microbial Diversity | 3 |
| 惭贰础听369 | Life on Earth: Principles of Paleontology | 3 |
| 笔叠听400 | Plant Diversity and Evolution | 4 |
| 笔叠听403 | Systematic Botany | 4 |
| 窜翱听350 | Animal Phylogeny and Diversity | 4 |
| 窜翱听402 | Invertebrate Biology | 4 |
| 窜翱听410 | Introduction to Animal Behavior | 3 |
| Group II: Cellular and Molecular Bio | 3 | |
| 叠滨翱听361 | Developmental Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听416 | Cancer Cell Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨罢听410 | Manipulation of Recombinant DNA | 4 |
| 骋狈听421 | Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| 骋狈听434 | Genes and Development | 3 |
| 骋狈听451 | Genome Science | 3 |
| 骋狈听453 | Personal Genomics | 3 |
| 骋狈听456 | Epigenetics, Development, and Disease | 3 |
| 惭叠听414 | Microbial Metabolic Regulation | 3 |
| 惭叠听455 | Microbial Biotechnology | 3 |
| 惭叠听461 | Molecular Virology | 3 |
| Group III: Organismal Function | 3 | |
| 础狈厂听225 | Principles of Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| 础狈厂听230 | Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS 415/515 | Comparative Nutrition | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听240 | Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (A): Nervous, Skeletal, Muscular, & Digestive Systems | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听245 | Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (B): Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Renal Systems | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听424 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听434 | Hormones and Behavior | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听444 | The Biology of Love and Sex | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听483 | Capstone Course in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology | 3 |
| BIO 488/588 | Neurobiology | 3 |
| 叠滨罢听410 | Manipulation of Recombinant DNA | 4 |
| 惭叠听411 | Medical Microbiology | 3 |
| 惭叠听441 | Immunology | 3 |
| 惭贰础听252 | Biology of Marine Mammals | 3 |
| NTR 415/515 | Comparative Nutrition | 3 |
| 狈罢搁听419 | Human Nutrition and Chronic Disease | 3 |
| 笔叠听321 | Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology | 3 |
| 笔叠听421 | Plant Physiology | 3 |
| 笔翱听404 | Avian Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| PO 415/515 | Comparative Nutrition | 3 |
| 窜翱听250 | Animal Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| Group IV: Ecology | 3 | |
| 础贰颁听245 | Practicing Conservation Ecology | 3 |
| AEC/PB 360 | Ecology | 4 |
| AEC 419/519 | Freshwater Ecology | 4 |
| 础贰颁听460 | Field Ecology and Methods | 4 |
| 叠滨翱听323 | Paleoecology | 3 |
| 颁厂听230 | Introduction to Agroecology | 3 |
| 贵翱搁听260 | Forest Ecology | 4 |
| 惭贰础听250 &补尘辫;听惭贰础听251 | Introduction to Coastal Environments and Introduction to Coastal Environments Laboratory | 4 |
Additional STEM Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Take any courses at the 200 level and higher from the following prefixes: AEC, ANS, BCH, BEC, BIO, BIT, BSC, CH, DSC, ES, FW, GN, GPH, MA, MB, MEA, NTR, PB, PY, ST, TOX, ZO | ||
Lab or Research Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A total of 6 credit hours required. In some cases, a 1 credit lab component in another course (e.g., from Life Science Electives) can be applied to this requirement -- talk to your advisor if this applies to you. | ||
| 叠滨翱听242 | Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听325 | Paleontological Field Methods | 4 |
| 叠滨翱听418 | Cell Biology Research Lab | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听463 | Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听465 | Real-time PCR Techniques | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听466 | Animal Cell Culture Techniques | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听467 | PCR and DNA Fingerprinting | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听471 | RNA Interference and Model Organisms | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听473 | Protein Interactions | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听474 | Plant Genetic Engineering | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听476 | Applied Bioinformatics | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听477 | Metagenomics | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听479 | High-Throughput Discovery | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听480 | Yeast Metabolic Engineering | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听481 | Plant Tissue Culture and Transformation | 2 |
| 叠滨罢听482 | Virus Biotechnology: Pathogens to Therapeutics | 2 |
| 叠厂颁听493 | Research Experience | 1-3 |
| 叠厂颁听498 | Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 2 | 3 |
| 骋狈听312 | Elementary Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
| 骋狈听425 | Advanced Genetics Laboratory | 2 |
| 惭叠听352 | General Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| 辞谤听惭叠听354 | Inquiry-Guided Microbiology Lab | |
| 惭叠听360 | Scientific Inquiry in Microbiology: At the Bench | 3 |
| 惭叠听406 | Food Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| 惭叠听412 | Medical Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| 惭叠听420 | Fundamentals of Microbial Cell Biotransformations | 2 |
| 惭叠听452 | Microbial Diversity Lab | 2 |
| 窜翱听334 | Captive Animal Biology Field Laboratory | 2 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 尝厂颁听101 | Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 1 | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| 颁贬听101 &补尘辫;听颁贬听102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| 惭础听131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 1 | 3 |
| 尝厂颁听103 | Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences | 1 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 叠滨翱听183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 1 | 4 |
| 颁贬听221 &补尘辫;听颁贬听222 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| 惭础听231 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 1 | 3 |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| 叠滨翱听270 | Introduction to Evolution | 3 |
| Physiology Requirement | 3 | |
| 颁贬听223 &补尘辫;听颁贬听224 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab 1 | 4 |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Lab or Research Electives | 2 | |
| Life Science Elective 1 | 3 | |
| 颁贬听201 &补尘辫;听颁贬听202 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| 笔驰听211 | College Physics I 1 | 4 |
| 惭叠听351 | General Microbiology 1 | 3 |
| Lab or Research Electives | 2 | |
| Advanced Writing Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| Learning Experience Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 笔驰听212 | College Physics II 1 | 4 |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| 骋狈听311 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| Lab or Research Elective | 1 | |
| STEM Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Life Science Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Life Science Elective 1 | 3 | |
| STEM Elective | 3 | |
| Lab or Research Elective | 1 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Life Science Elective 1 | 3 | |
| STEM Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| 听 | Total Hours | 120 |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
Career Opportunities
Many students majoring in the Department of Biological Sciences take advantage of scholarship and honors programs available at NC State, including the 福利逼站 Honors Program and the 福利逼站 Scholars Program.听 In addition, we offer a discipline-based Undergraduate Honors Program in Biological Sciences (DBS Honors Program).听 The DBS Honors Program requires students to design a challenging program of advanced study, including eight credits of honors coursework in biology and at least two semesters of research or teaching scholarship.听 Participants write an honors thesis and are required to present their scholarly work at a local, regional, or national meeting.听 Invitations to join the DBS Honors Program are sent in the first three weeks of the Fall and Spring semesters.听听Students in any major in the Department of Biological Sciences who have earned an overall GPA of 3.60 after completing 30-65 credit hours at NC State will receive an invitation to join the DBS Honors Program; transfer students in any of our majors who have earned an overall GPA of 3.60 in 15 credit hours at NC State also will receive an invitation.听听
Students who graduate from the Department of Biological Sciences are well prepared for employment in various government agencies and private industries. Graduates may continue their education with studies leading to advanced degrees in many areas of the biological sciences, including cell biology, ecology, microbiology, genetics, zoology, neurobiology, and biomedical disciplines. Many choose to seek advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, public health, and other health-related fields. Students who plan to seek certification for pre-college teaching may want to pursue a second major in the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Education.
Career Titles
- Agricultural Sciences Professor
- Agronomist
- Allergists and Immunologists
- Anesthesiologist (MD)
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Animal Breeder
- Animal Scientist
- Aquaculture Specialist
- Aquarium Curator
- Biochemist
- Biological Technician
- Biologist
- Biology Professor
- Biomedical Engineer
- Biophysicist
- Biopsychologist
- Botanist
- Cardiologist (MD)
- Clinical Dietitian
- Dentist (DDS)
- Dietitian and Nutritionist
- Environmental Disease Analyst
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Research Analyst
- Epidemiologists
- Family Practitioner (MD)
- Fish and Game Warden
- Fish Hatchery Specialist
- Food & Drug Inspector
- Food Science Technicians
- Food Technologist
- Forensic Science Technicians
- General Internists (MD)
- Genetic Counselors
- Geneticist
- Gynecologist (MD)
- Hazardous Waste Management Analyst
- Horticulturist
- Hospitalists
- Industrial Hygienist
- Industrial Waste Inspector
- Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
- Marine and Aquatic Biologist
- Medical and Scientific Illustrator
- Medical Equipment Technician
- Medical Technologist
- Microbiologist
- Obstetrician (MD)
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
- Occupational Physician (MD)
- Oceanographer
- Optometrist
- Park Naturalist
- Pathologist (MD)
- Pediatrician (MD)
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacologist
- Phlebotomist
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- Radiologist (MD)
- Sales Representative (Chemicals & Drugs)
- Soil Conservationist
- Soil Scientist
- Sports Physician (Orthopedist)
- Surgeons (MD)
- Toxicologist
- Urologists
- Veterinarian (VMD)
- Water Pollution Control Inspector
- Wildlife Biologist
- Wildlife Control Agent
- Winemaker / Vinter
- Zoologist
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