Biology Major, B.S.
Program Overview
Biology Major, B.S.
The Biology Major, B.S. program is designed for students who intend to continue graduate study in biological or health sciences. 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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the biology (B.A., B.S.) program, students should be able to:
- Knowledge Base: Demonstrate knowledge of major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in the broad field of Biology
- Research Methods: Apply basic research methods in the biological sciences, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation
- Critical Thinking Skills: Demonstrate the use of critical and creative thinking skills in upper-level biology courses and in their approach to undergraduate research
- Application of Knowledge, Research Methods, and Critical Thinking: Apply knowledge of the field of biology, research skills, and critical thinking skills to undertake a course-based, field, or laboratory research project
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
Course List
| Course List Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway Course | ||
| BIOL 101 & 101L | Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| Core Requirements | ||
| Fundamentals Core Courses | ||
| BIOL 103 | How Cells Function | 3 |
| BIOL 104 | Biodiversity | 3 |
| BIOL 105L | Biological Research Skills | 3 |
| Intermediate Level Core Courses | ||
| Two from among the following five options: | 6-7 | |
| BIOL 220 | Molecular Genetics | |
| BIOL 240 | Cell Biology | |
| BIOL 250 | Evolutionary Biology | |
| BIOL 260 | Introduction to Ecology | |
| An organismal structure and diversity course (see list below) | ||
| Four biology electives (each of three or more credits) numbered above 200 (not including BIOL 213, BIOL 222, BIOL 253, BIOL 291, BIOL 292, BIOL 293, BIOL 294, BIOL 295, BIOL 296, BIOL 353, a second semester of BIOL 395, and BIOL 495). At least two courses in the major must have a laboratory (not including BIOL 101L or BIOL 105L). ENEC 489 can also count as a biology elective. | 14 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| CHEM 101 & 101L | General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I | 4 |
| CHEM 102 & 102L | General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II | 4 |
| CHEM 261 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I | 4 |
| Two of the following: | 6-8 | |
| MATH 232 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II | |
| PHYS 115 | General Physics II: For Students of the Life Sciences | |
| or PHYS 119 | Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta | |
| COMP 110 | Introduction to Programming | |
| or COMP 116 | Introduction to Scientific Programming | |
| or BIOL 222 | Introduction to Programming with Biological Data | |
| STOR 120 | Foundations of Statistics and Data Science | |
| or STOR 215 | Foundations of Decision Sciences | |
| or STOR 151 | Introduction to Data Analysis | |
| or STOR 155 | Introduction to Data Models and Inference | |
| One of the following: | 4 | |
| PHYS 114 | General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences | |
| PHYS 118 | Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity | |
| A choice of two additional allied sciences electives selected from the course list below (some courses are more than 3 credits) | 6 | |
| Remaining General Education requirements and enough free electives to accumulate 120 academic hours | ||
| Total Hours | 64-67 |
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests.
Suggested Program of Study for B.S. Majors
| Plan of Study Grid | First Year | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 | English Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch F | 3 | |
| IDST 111L | Data Literacy Lab | 1 |
| Global Language through level 3 | varies | |
| Major Courses | ||
| BIOL 101 & 101L | Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 101 & 101L | General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I | 4 |
| A fundamentals course BIOL 103 or BIOL 104 | 3 | |
| BIOL 105L | Biological Research Skills | 3 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Gen Ed courses | 6 | |
| Hours | 32 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| The remaining Fundamentals course BIOL 103 or 104 | 3 | |
| Two core BIOL courses | 6 | |
| CHEM 102 & 102L | General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II | 4 |
| CHEM 261 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| First course from among COMP, MATH, PHYS, STOR options (see course list on the Requirements tab) | 3-4 | |
| Lifetime Fitness | 1 | |
| Gen Ed and elective courses | 9 | |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| PHYS 114 or PHYS 118 | General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences or Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity | 4 |
| Second course from among COMP, MATH, PHYS, STOR options (see course list on the Requirements tab) | 3-4 | |
| Biology electives (two courses, one with lab) | 7 | |
| Gen Ed and elective courses | 15 | |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Biology electives (two courses, one with lab) | 7 | |
| Allied sciences electives (two courses) | 6 | |
| Note: Students who want to pursue research in molecular or cellular biology are highly encouraged to add CHEM 262 and then CHEM 430 (as one of their biology electives). Students who want to pursue a pre-medical or pre-dentistry path are highly encouraged to add CHEM 262 and then CHEM 430 (as one of their biology electives), as well as CHEM 241/L and CHEM 262L. | ||
| Free electives as needed to complete 120 academic hours | 15 | |
| Hours | 28 | |
| Total Hours | 120 |
Special Opportunities in Biology
Students are encouraged to speak with their advisor about opportunities to serve as peer advisors in the Health Professions Advising Office, or to join Tri-Beta, the National Biological Sciences Honor Society.
Honors in Biology
Candidates for honors or highest honors must secure approval from the departmental honors advisor. They must have three hours of BIOL 395, take BIOL 692H, and maintain a grade point average of 3.3, both overall and in biology courses (exclusive of BIOL 692H and including only one semester of BIOL 395), calculated at the end of the semester preceding the semester in which they graduate. Other requirements are detailed on the department website.
High-Impact Experience
After completing BIOL 201 or BIOL 202 (or a 200-level core course under the new curriculum), students are encouraged to pursue high-impact experience opportunities. The department offers several courses that meet the High-Impact Experience and the Research and Discovery requirements from the General Education curriculum.
Laboratory Teaching Apprenticeships and Assistantships
Opportunities exist to assist graduate instructors in lecture or undergraduate laboratory courses. Interested students should contact the instructor of the course, and will need to submit a form to obtain approval from the departmental director of undergraduate studies.
Undergraduate Awards
All awards include a personal plaque, a monetary gift, and a place on Coker Hall’s list of department honorees. The awards include:
- The Stephen G. Brantley Award in honor of Henry Van Peters Wilson, given annually to a senior biology major for excellence in research in molecular and cellular biology.
- The Robert Ervin Coker Award, given annually to a senior biology major for excellence in research in organismal biology and ecology.
- The John N. Couch Award, given annually to a senior biology major with interests in plant biology who has demonstrated the highest ideals of scholarship and research.
- The Irvine R. Hagadorn Award, given annually to the junior biology major based on academic and research excellence. This award is also recognized by the UNC–Chapel Hill chancellor at the Annual Chancellor’s Awards Ceremony.
- The Francis J. LeClair Award, given annually to a senior biology major for academic excellence in biology with an emphasis in plant sciences.
Undergraduate Research
An undergraduate research experience can be extremely valuable to explore career choices and to prepare for postgraduate work in the biological sciences. Undergraduates may take a CURE course, and/or participate directly in the research of faculty in the Department of Biology or other departments (with Biology sponsorship). This research opportunity allows students to put their knowledge of biology into practice through participation in cutting-edge research. Students’ participation in research can begin as early as their second year by registration in BIOL 395.
Department Programs
Majors
- Biology Major, B.S.
- Biology Major, B.S.–Quantitative Biology Track
- Biology Major, B.A.
Minor
- Biology Minor
Graduate Programs
- M.A. in Biology
- M.S. in Biology
- Ph.D. in Biology
Courses
- Biology (BIOL)