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Welcome to Biology

Your education is our primary mission. We offer you a friendly, supportive, and student-centered educational environment.  Our classes are taught by professors who are experts in their fields.  They will help you gain real-world experience in our cutting-edge teaching and research facilities.  Learning and doing biology at UNC will give you the skills and confidence to succeed in whatever future you choose.

Biology news

Recent grant awards

Drs. Han and Pullen have been awarded $378,000 from the National Institutes of Health to study the effects of cannabinoids on diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.  Read more.

Drs. James and Engstrom have been awarded $414,000 from the National Institutes of Health to develop new biophysical models of eye development in zebra fish and other species.  Read more.

NIH logo

Award winner

Dr. Emily Holt is the university's Winchester Scholar. 

Holt Winchester award

Pre-health

Visit the pre-health web site to learn how to prepare for a career in a health-related field.

Pre-health triad

Chili cook-off

Mark your calendar!  The chili cook-off is now twice each year.  The traditional cook-off is in the spring, and the international cook-off is in the fall.  For information on how to enter, please visit the cook-off page.

Chili

Biology research days

Part of the UNC Research Celebration, is coming up in April.

Research day

Biology stories

Our students have a lot to say

"One of the biggest factors that contributed to my success was the support system the professors create"  -- Sandra

"Attending UNC for my undergraduate education has proved to be one of the best decisions that I have ever made" -- Shalacia

"The Biological Sciences program really prepared me for my future career" -- Ryan

 Sandra

The story of a biology student

Yessica shares her unique story of finding her place and community at UNC.

Read or hear her story through the Bear in Mind podcast

Bear in Mind

The story of a biology PhD graduate

Anthony

“In the laboratory, I had a tremendous amount of freedom and support from my advisor and colleagues, which truly helped me become the researcher I wanted to be, all while answering some really interesting scientific questions.”

Read Anthony's story

Anthony

Science with an impact

Dr. Scott Franklin is a professor with burning questions.  He studies the resilience of plant ecosystems after disturbances such as fire, flood, and insect infestations, all of which are common here in Colorado.  

Learn about our research programs.

Scott

Learning science by doing science

At UNC you have the opportunity to learn biology through doing biology research.  Then tell the world about what you have discovered at UNC's research celebration.

Learn about our research programs.

Undergraduate research

Pre-health students visit Spain for the summer

Biology pre-health students and others from UNC traveled to Spain over the summer to gain clinical hours, cherished memories and insights from physicians on what it truly means to be a healthcare professional.

Learn more.

 Students in Spain

Scott Franklin

From the Department Chair

“Variety is the spice of life! The fun of a Biological Sciences department is variety. In our classes, students aspiring to be teachers, doctors, researchers and practitioners are working together to learn, interpret and apply all aspects of biology. Our department’s primary goal is that every student is successful. We have modern facilities and cutting-edge equipment but the key to achievement is students working alongside highly motivated, talented faculty who care deeply about each students’ success. A university education is about providing opportunities, and our faculty and staff will help you make the most of those opportunities.” - Dr. Scott Franklin

Biology Degree Options

Undergraduate Degree Emphases

At UNC, when you declare a major in biology, you’ll take classes from professors who are experts in your interest area. You’ll benefit from a student-centered education and can earn your Bachelor of Science in Biology degree with an emphasis in:

  • Prehealth and Biomedical sciences
  • Cellular and Molecular biology
  • Ecology and Evolutionary biology
  • Secondary Teaching
  • Biology Liberal Arts

Graduate Degrees

Pursue research-intensive graduate work in biology, or focus on coursework-based graduate programs as you earn your master’s or doctorate at UNC. 

Research-intensive graduate programs:

Coursework-based graduate programs (M.S. and M.B.S.):