Biological Sciences (BA)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

North Carolina State University Raleigh

Program Overview

NC State’s Biological Sciences (BA) is a flexible degree for students who want to study biology while also developing expertise in another subject outside the life sciences. Students can shape their degree around their interests by combining biology with areas such as psychology, communication, statistics, education, political science, anthropology, or other disciplines, creating a broad academic foundation for a variety of careers and further study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the foundations of biological science through courses such as BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity, BIO 183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology, and LSC 101 Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences. They also build supporting knowledge through CH 101 Chemistry – A Molecular Science, CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory, calculus, organic chemistry, and LSC 103 Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences.

Year 2: Students start to personalize their degree by combining Life Science Electives with courses from their chosen Cross Discipline area. Alongside statistics and communication requirements, they can select biology subjects that match their interests while beginning to develop knowledge in a second discipline.

Year 3: Students continue with advanced Life Science Electives and Cross Discipline Electives while gaining practical experience through the program’s required experiential-learning component. PY 131 Conceptual Physics is included in the sample plan, while options such as BSC 492 Professional Experience, BSC 493 Research Experience, and BSC 494 Teaching Experience allow students to connect their studies with career interests.

Year 4: Students use their final year to bring their biological and cross-disciplinary studies together through advanced electives and their chosen area of focus. They complete BIO 481 Senior Capstone Project, where they draw on knowledge from both areas of study to explore a real problem or challenge and propose a solution based on existing research.

Focus Areas

Biological sciences, ecology, evolution, cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, health analytics, clinical research, public health, science communication, bioethics, psychology, statistics, education, communication, social sciences, interdisciplinary studies

Learning Outcomes

Students develop a strong understanding of biological science while gaining the ability to connect biology with another academic discipline. The program builds scientific thinking, research, communication, problem-solving, and practical skills through Life Science Electives, Cross Discipline Electives, experiential learning, and the Senior Capstone Project.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

NC State University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Biological Sciences (BA) does not have a separate professional accreditation such as ABET or ACS, but its interdisciplinary structure allows students to select coursework that supports their intended career or graduate and professional study.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

NC State provides salary information for recent graduates and national salary comparisons through its career services. The university reports a $47,839 national average bachelor’s-level salary for Biological Sciences, based on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Summer 2024 salary survey.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

NC State’s Biological Sciences (BA) gives students meaningful opportunities to apply what they learn in class through research, internships, professional experiences, laboratory work, and interdisciplinary projects. Since experiential learning is a required part of the degree, students can build practical skills while exploring biology alongside their chosen cross-disciplinary subject. The program is supported by research spaces across the Department of Biological Sciences, including genetics and microbiology laboratories in Thomas Hall, biological sciences laboratories in David Clark Labs, and the Bioinformatics Research Center in Ricks Hall.

Students can develop practical experience through:

Faculty-guided research: Students can work with faculty on research in areas such as genetics, bioinformatics, ecology and evolution, molecular and cellular biology, physiology, neuroscience, functional genomics, and toxicology.
Course-Based Undergraduate Research: CURE courses allow students to investigate genuine research questions rather than simply following predetermined laboratory exercises. Students can develop skills in experimental design, data analysis, bioinformatics, troubleshooting, scientific communication, and collaborative research.
Original research projects: Through BIO 269 Research in the Life Sciences II: Guided Research, students develop research goals, prepare a research proposal, and conduct original research with guidance from a faculty mentor. Students can also present their findings through a professional poster presentation at an NC State poster symposium or local conference.
Cell biology laboratory experience: BIO 418 Cell Biology Lab gives students the opportunity to design and conduct original experiments related to areas such as cellular growth, metabolism, cell signalling, and apoptosis. Students maintain laboratory notebooks, work with scientific literature, collaborate with classmates, analyse their results, and present their findings.
Internships and professional experience: Students can take part in paid or volunteer internships and other professional opportunities related to their interests. These experiences allow them to apply biological knowledge in real-world settings and develop skills that can support future employment or professional-school applications.
Genetics and microbiology laboratories: Thomas Hall contains research laboratories used for genetics and microbiology, giving students involved in research an opportunity to work in an active scientific environment.
Biological Sciences research spaces: David Clark Labs provides numerous laboratories and research spaces used by the Department of Biological Sciences for teaching and research.
Bioinformatics opportunities: The Bioinformatics Research Center in Ricks Hall provides a research environment focused on analysing biological data and applying computational approaches to challenges such as human health, food security, and bioenergy.
Genomics and advanced research resources: NC State provides access to research resources such as the Genomics Sciences Laboratory, which supports DNA and RNA extraction and sequencing, along with advanced analytical facilities such as mass spectrometry. Undergraduate access depends on the research project and faculty supervision.
Cross-disciplinary projects: The BA requires students to complete 21 credit hours of Cross-Discipline Electives, giving them the opportunity to connect biology with another academic area. Students can build interests in areas such as public health, psychology, mathematics, human behaviour, health policy, anthropology, or communication.
Senior Capstone Project: Students finish the degree with BIO 481 Senior Capstone Project, where they use knowledge from biological sciences and their chosen cross-disciplinary area to investigate a societal problem and develop a research-based response.
Study abroad and external experiences: Students can complement their academic work with study abroad, undergraduate research, internships, and other professional or external learning opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biological Sciences (BA) at NC State gives graduates a broad foundation in biology while allowing them to build a second area of expertise outside the life sciences. This interdisciplinary approach can prepare students for careers in research, healthcare, public health, education, science communication, and other fields where biological knowledge works alongside another area of study.

Typical career roles include: Biological Researcher, Laboratory Technician, Public Health Professional, Science Educator

Students can strengthen their career prospects and prepare for further study through:

Career Development support: Students can use NC State’s Career Development Center to find internships and professional opportunities. The Department of Biological Sciences also provides resources and shares opportunities that help students gain relevant experience before graduation.
Academic and career advising: Biological Sciences advisers help students understand their degree requirements, explore career interests, connect with campus resources, and plan for graduate or professional school. Advisers can also help BA students choose their cross-disciplinary courses according to their long-term goals.
Internships and professional experience: Students can take part in paid or volunteer professional experiences that allow them to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. These experiences can help develop technical and professional skills, clarify career interests, and strengthen applications for employment or professional schools.
Employment and salary: NC State reports a $47,839 national average bachelor’s-level salary for Biological Sciences, based on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Summer 2024 salary survey. This figure applies to Biological Sciences at the bachelor’s level and is not specific to the BA pathway.
Research opportunities: Students can participate in undergraduate research and work alongside faculty in areas such as molecular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, physiology, bioinformatics, and other biological sciences. These experiences can provide valuable preparation for research careers and postgraduate study.
Interdisciplinary preparation: The BA requires students to complete at least 21 credit hours of Cross-Discipline Electives, allowing them to develop a secondary academic focus. Students have created areas of study around subjects such as global public health, developmental psychology, health policy, anthropology, mathematics, human behaviour, communication, political science, and social work.
Study abroad opportunities: Students can complement their degree with international experiences and explore biological sciences in different settings. These opportunities can broaden their understanding of biology while developing cultural awareness and independence.
Graduate and professional preparation: The department encourages students to consider the prerequisites of their intended graduate or professional programs when choosing their cross-disciplinary electives. This allows students to plan their undergraduate studies around future goals in areas such as healthcare, graduate research, public health, education, or other professional fields.
Graduation outcomes: NC State’s Biological Sciences graduates move into careers in areas such as medicine, laboratory research, technology, teaching, and academia, while others continue into graduate and professional programs.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Biological Sciences (BA), students can continue into master’s or doctoral programs in biological and related fields, depending on their academic interests and prerequisite requirements. NC State’s Department of Biological Sciences offers graduate study in areas including Bioinformatics, Biology, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Functional Genomics, Genetics, Microbiology, and Toxicology. Students interested in professional careers can also use their undergraduate preparation to pursue further education in areas such as medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, and other health-related fields.