Biology Major, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Program Overview

The Biology Major, B.S. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gives students a broad understanding of life across molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecosystem levels, making it a strong choice for students interested in biological, environmental, medical, or research careers. The program combines core biology with chemistry, mathematics, physics, programming, statistics, laboratory work, and research, while also supporting pathways into graduate and health-profession programs.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year:
Students begin with the foundations of biological science through BIOL 101 – Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory, alongside BIOL 103 – How Cells Function or BIOL 104 – Biodiversity. The year also develops scientific and quantitative skills through BIOL 105L – Biological Research Skills, CHEM 101 – General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I, and MATH 231 – Calculus of Functions of One Variable I.

Second Year:
Students build on their biological foundation with the remaining fundamentals course and two intermediate-level biology courses, choosing areas such as BIOL 220 – Molecular Genetics, BIOL 240 – Cell Biology, BIOL 250 – Evolutionary Biology, or BIOL 260 – Introduction to Ecology. Chemistry progresses through CHEM 102 – General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II and CHEM 261 – Introduction to Organic Chemistry I, while students also begin coursework in programming, mathematics, physics, or statistics.

Third Year:
The curriculum moves into more advanced study, with PHYS 114 – General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences or PHYS 118 – Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity, alongside two biology electives, including at least one laboratory course. Students can also deepen their quantitative and computational abilities through options in COMP, MATH, PHYS, or STOR, connecting biological questions with data and scientific analysis.

Fourth Year:
In the final year, students complete additional advanced biology electives and allied-science electives, allowing them to tailor the degree toward their interests. Students interested in molecular or cellular biology, medicine, or dentistry are particularly encouraged to consider CHEM 262 and CHEM 430, with additional chemistry laboratory coursework recommended for pre-medical and pre-dentistry pathways.

Focus Areas:

Molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, evolutionary biology, ecology, organismal biology, biological research, laboratory science, chemistry, quantitative biology, programming and biological data, statistics, environmental science, health sciences.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop a strong knowledge base in biology, apply biological research methods including research design and data analysis, strengthen critical and creative thinking, and apply biological knowledge and research skills to course-based, field, or laboratory research projects.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Biology B.S. is an academic undergraduate degree rather than a separately professionally accredited clinical qualification. UNC–Chapel Hill states that the Biology B.S. prepares students for health professions such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine, as well as careers in biological, environmental, and medical sciences, research, teaching, government, and private industry.

Reputation (Employability):

UNC–Chapel Hill’s official Class of 2021 First Destination Report recorded a 96% total success rate, defined as graduates achieving employment, self-employment, service/military, or continuing education within six months of graduation. This is a university-wide undergraduate outcome rather than a Biology-specific employment rate.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UNC–Chapel Hill’s Biology Major, B.S. gives students hands-on experience from the beginning through laboratory-based courses and dedicated research-skills training. Students learn how to design experiments, process and interpret biological data, use basic statistics and system modelling, and communicate scientific findings through BIOL 105L – Biological Research Skills and the introductory biology laboratory. The program also allows students to build further practical experience through upper-level biology courses with laboratory components and research opportunities across UNC’s wider research environment.

Students can develop these practical and research skills through:

BIOL 101L – Introductory Biology Laboratory: Provides laboratory experience alongside BIOL 101 – Principles of Biology, giving students an early foundation in practical biological science.
BIOL 105L – Biological Research Skills: Students gain hands-on exposure to the scientific approach, including experimental design, data processing and interpretation, basic statistics, system modelling, interdisciplinary approaches, and science communication and policy.
Research-focused projects: BIOL 105/105L uses real-world biological issues such as global warming, virus evolution, vaccine development, cancer therapeutics, and machine learning to develop research skills and scientific thinking.
Laboratory-based biology electives: The B.S. requires biology electives, including at least one course with a laboratory component, allowing students to continue developing practical skills beyond the introductory level.
Molecular and cellular biology preparation: Students interested in molecular or cellular biology research are specifically encouraged to take CHEM 262 followed by CHEM 430, strengthening their preparation for advanced scientific work.
Research infrastructure: UNC’s research environment includes laboratory infrastructure such as microscopes and laboratory benches, as well as research computing, data networks, high-performance computing clusters, and data-storage resources that support university research.
Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE): UNC’s research-development initiatives include course-based research experiences in which students engage with hypothesis-driven research problems, providing an additional route into authentic research

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biology B.S. provides a strong foundation for careers in biological research, laboratory science, environmental science, biotechnology, and health-related fields, while also preparing students for postgraduate study. UNC–Chapel Hill specifically highlights pathways into biological, environmental, and medical sciences, as well as graduate and professional programs.

Typical career roles include: Biological Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Biotechnology Research Associate, Environmental Science Research Assistant.

Students can build their career and academic pathway through UNC–Chapel Hill’s dedicated support and research opportunities:

Career and academic advising: University Career Services helps students explore postgraduate academic options, graduate programs, application processes, entrance exams, and recommended courses or co-curricular activities. Departmental faculty advisors also discuss career and educational opportunities within biology.
Health-professions support: The Health Professions Advising Office supports students and alumni interested in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant programs, optometry, and other health professions.
Internships and employer exposure: UNC’s University Career Services provides access to internships, micro-internships, employer recruitment events, Career Treks, job shadows, and the Handshake job board.
Undergraduate research: Biology students can participate in CURE courses or conduct research directly with faculty in the Department of Biology or other departments with Biology sponsorship. UNC notes that research participation can begin as early as the second year and provides experience applying biology knowledge to current research.
Employment and salary data: UNC’s published First Destination Report for the 2015 Biology B.S. cohort reported a 95.3% positive outcome rate and an average salary of $38,044 among reported graduates. Because this is an older cohort, it should be treated as historical Biology-specific data rather than a current salary benchmark.
University-wide career outcomes: UNC also publishes broader First Destination reports covering employment and continuing education outcomes across undergraduate programs; these university-wide figures should not be interpreted as Biology-specific.
Industry connections: Students can gain employer exposure through UNC Career Services' employer recruitment events, Career Treks, job shadows, internships, and micro-internships, which connect students with companies and organizations across industries.
Accreditation value: The Biology B.S. is an academic science degree rather than a separately licensed professional qualification. Its value for regulated careers such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy comes from using the degree as preparation for the relevant accredited professional program rather than from a professional accreditation attached to the Biology major itself. UNC specifically provides health-professions advising for these pathways.
Graduation and postgraduate outcomes: Biology students can use their undergraduate research, advising, and career-development experiences to progress into employment or further education. UNC's Biology catalog specifically identifies undergraduate research as valuable for exploring career choices and preparing for postgraduate work in the biological sciences.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Biology B.S., students can continue into master’s or Ph.D. programs in biological sciences and related fields, or pursue professional education in areas such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and optometry. UNC’s Health Professions Advising Office supports students planning these professional pathways, while University Career Services provides guidance on graduate degrees, application processes, entrance examinations, and preparation.