Biology Major, B.A.
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. This program is designed to provide greater flexibility than the B.S. degree in meeting broad student interests.
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.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway Course | ||
| BIOL 101 & 101L |  Principles of Biologyand Introductory Biology Laboratory 1, H, F | 4 |
| Core Requirements | ||
| Fundamentals Core Courses | ||
| BIOL 103 | How Cells Function 2, F | 3 |
| BIOL 104 | Biodiversity 2, F | 3 |
| BIOL 105L | Biological Research Skills | 1 |
| Intermediate Level Core Courses | ||
| Two of the following five Core Course options: 3 | 6-8 | |
| Molecular Genetics H | ||
| Cell Biology H | ||
| Evolutionary Biology | ||
| Introduction to Ecology | ||
An organismal structure and diversity course (see list below) | ||
| Three 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 one course in the major must have a laboratory (not including BIOL 101L or BIOL 105L). 4,5 | 10-11 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| CHEM 101 & 101L | General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I H, F | 4 |
| CHEM 102 & 102L | General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F | 4 |
| One of: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Programming with Biological Data | ||
| Introduction to Programming and Data Science H | ||
| Introduction to Scientific Programming | ||
| Precalculus Mathematics F | ||
| Calculus for Business and Social Sciences F | ||
| Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F | ||
| Foundations of Statistics and Data Science F | ||
| Introduction to Data Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Data Models and Inference F | ||
| Foundations of Decision Sciences | ||
| Four additional allied science electives chosen from the course list below (some courses are more than 3 credits) | 12 | |
| Students must fulfill all General Education requirements, including Supplemental General Education, and enough electives to complete 120 hours required for graduation. | ||
| Total Hours | 51 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
With a C grade or better in BIOL 101
- 2
Both BIOL 103 and BIOL 104 need to be completed before taking a 400-level BIOL class in the major.
- 3
Core courses taken beyond the two required ones may be used as electives.
- 4
At least one course in the major must be numbered above 400 (not including BIOL 501 and BIOL 692H). One additional elective may consist of a total of three hours of courses numbered above 600 (not including BIOL 692H).
- 5
At least one course in the major must have a laboratory (not including BIOL 101L or BIOL 105L). BIOL 395 counts as a laboratory course for students entering in Fall 2022 or later. Other laboratory courses include all of the Organismal Structure and Diversity courses listed below, any course with an "L" designation (except BIOL 253/L, which does not count as an elective in the major), and the following courses: BIOL 255H, BIOL 256, BIOL 459, BIOL 461, BIOL 463, BIOL 526H, BIOL 535, BIOL 562, and BIOL 563.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Organismal Structure and Diversity Course List | ||
| BIOL 271 & 271L | Plant Biology and Plant Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 272 & 272L | Local Flora and Local Flora Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 273 | Horticulture | 4 |
| BIOL 274 & 274L | Plant Diversity and Plant Diversity Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 277 & 277L | Vertebrate Field Zoology and Vertebrate Field Zoology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 278 & 278L | Animal Behavior and Animal Behavior Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 279 & 279L | Seminar in Organismal Biology and Topics in Organismal Biology Laboratory | 3-4 |
| BIOL 422 & BIOL 421L | Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory with Research | 4-5 |
| or BIOL 422 & 422L | Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | |
| BIOL 441 & 441L | Vertebrate Embryology and Vertebrate Embryology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 451 & 451L | Comparative Physiology and Comparative Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 471 & 471L | Evolutionary Mechanisms and Evolutionary Mechanisms Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 472 | Introduction to Plant Taxonomy | 4 |
| BIOL 473 & 473L | Mammalian Morphology and Development and Mammalian Morphology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 474 & 474L | Evolution of Vertebrate Life and Vertebrate Structure and Evolution Laboratory H | 4 |
| BIOL 475 & 475L | Biology of Marine Animals and Biology of Marine Animals Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 476 & 476L | Avian Biology and Avian Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 479 & 479L | Topics in Organismal Biology at an Advanced Level and Laboratory in Organismal Biology: Advanced Topics | 4 |
| BIOL 579 | Organismal Structure and Diversity in the Southern Appalachian Mountains | 4 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Allied Science Electives
All allied science elective courses need to have a minimum of three credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 143 | Human Evolution and Adaptation | 3 |
| ANTH 148 | Human Origins | 3 |
| ANTH 298 | Biological Anthropology Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ANTH 315 | Human Genetics and Evolution | 3 |
| ANTH 318 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| ANTH 412 | Paleoanthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 414 | Laboratory Methods: Human Osteology | 3 |
| ANTH 415 | Laboratory Methods: Zooarchaeology | 3 |
| ANTH 416 | Bioarchaeology | 3 |
| ANTH 470 | Medicine and Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 623 | Human Disease Ecology | 3 |
| ASTR --- | Any ASTR course above 99 | 3 |
| BIOC 107 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIOC 108 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIOL --- | Any BIOL course above 101, except BIOL 213, BIOL 291, BIOL 292, BIOL 294, BIOL 295, BIOL 296, and BIOL 495 | 3 |
| BIOS --- | Any BIOS course | 3 |
| BMME 335 | Biomaterials | 3 |
| CHEM --- | Any CHEM course above 101 | 3 |
| COMP --- | Any COMP course above 100, except COMP 380 | 3 |
| EMES --- | Any EMES course above 100 | 3 |
| ENEC 202 | Introduction to the Environmental Sciences | 4 |
| ENEC 256 | Mountain Biodiversity | 4 |
| ENEC 324 | Water in Our World: Introduction to Hydrologic Science and Environmental Problems | 3 |
| ENEC 403 | Environmental Chemistry Processes | 3 |
| ENEC 406 | Atmospheric Processes II | 4 |
| ENEC 410 | Earth Processes in Environmental Systems | 4 |
| ENEC 411 | Oceanic Processes in Environmental Systems | 4 |
| ENEC 415 | Environmental Systems Modeling | 3 |
| ENEC 471 | Human Impacts on Estuarine Ecosystems | 4 |
| ENEC 489 | Ecological Processes in Environmental Systems | 4 |
| EPID 600 | Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
| EXSS 175 | Human Anatomy F | 3 |
| EXSS 276 | Human Physiology | 3 |
| GEOG 110 | The Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth's Environmental Systems H | 3 |
| GEOG 111 | Weather and Climate | 3 |
| GEOG 212 | Environmental Conservation and Global Change | 3 |
| GEOG 222 | Health and Medical Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 253 | Introduction to Atmospheric Processes | 4 |
| GEOL --- | Any GEOL course above 100 | 3 |
| MASC --- | Any MASC course above 100 | 3 |
| MATH --- | Any MATH course above 110, except MATH 129P | 3 |
| MCRO 251 | Introductory Medical Microbiology | 4 |
| NSCI 175 | Introduction to Neuroscience | 3 |
| NSCI 222 | Learning H | 3 |
| NSCI 225 | Sensation and Perception H | 3 |
| NUTR 240 | Introduction to Human Nutrition | 3 |
| PHIL 155 | Truth and Proof: Introduction to Mathematical Logic H | 3 |
| PHYS --- | Any PHYS course above 99, except PHYS 132 | |
| PSYC 101 | General Psychology F | 3 |
| PSYC 210 | Statistical Principles of Psychological Research H | 3 |
| PSYC 220 | Biopsychology H | 3 |
| PSYC 230 | Cognitive Psychology H | 3 |
| STOR 120 | Foundations of Statistics and Data Science F | 4 |
| STOR --- | Any STOR course above 151 | 3 |
| SPHS 570 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech, Language, and Hearing Mechanisms | 3 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
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. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.
Suggested Program of Study for B.A. Majors
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 or ENGL 105I | English Composition and Rhetoric or English Composition and Rhetoric (Interdisciplinary) | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch F | 3 | |
| Triple-I and Data Literacy | 4 | |
| Global Language through level 3 | varies | |
| Major Courses | ||
| BIOL 101 & 101L | Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F | 4 |
| CHEM 101 & 101L | General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I H, F | 4 |
| BIOL 103 or BIOL 104 | How Cells Function F or Biodiversity | 3 |
| BIOL 105L | Biological Research Skills | 1 |
| STOR 120 | Foundations of Statistics and Data Science F | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Gen Ed and elective courses | 4 | |
| Hours | 31 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| BIOL 104 or BIOL 103 | Biodiversity F or How Cells Function | 3 |
| One biology core course (BIOL 220, BIOL 240, BIOL 250, BIOL 260, or Organismal course) | 4 | |
| CHEM 102 & 102L | General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F | 4 |
| Allied science electives (two courses) | 6 | |
| Lifetime Fitness | 1 | |
| Gen Ed and elective courses | 11 | |
| Hours | 29 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Second biology core course (BIOL 220, BIOL 240, BIOL 250, BIOL 260, or Organismal course) | 3-4 | |
| Biology elective (one course) | 3-4 | |
| Allied science electives (two courses) | 6 | |
| Gen Ed and elective courses | 18 | |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Biology electives (two courses) | 6-7 | |
| Supplemental General Education requirement and free electives as needed to complete 120 academic hours and other requirements | 24 | |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
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/Experiential Education
After completing BIOL 201 or BIOL 202 (or a 200-level core course under the new curriculum), students are encouraged to pursue high-impact/experiential education opportunities. The department offers several courses that meet the High-Impact/Experiential Education requirement and the Research and Discovery requirement 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.
Undergraduates with a 2.0 grade point average or higher in biology courses are encouraged to enroll in BIOL 395. Information concerning the procedure for enrolling in a research course can be obtained from the chair of the department’s undergraduate honors research program. Additional information can be found on the department's website.
Department Programs
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