BA in biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Wake Forest University

Program Overview

The B.A. in Biology at Wake Forest University provides a flexible four-year pathway for students who want to understand life from molecular and cellular processes through genetics, evolution, ecology, and the environment, while connecting biology with areas such as health, policy, education, business, and law. Students build a 34-credit biology major through foundational laboratory courses, advanced 300-level study, and mentored or independent research, with the flexibility to select supporting courses around their interests and career goals.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the biological foundations through BIO 150 Biology I and BIO 150L Biology I Lab, covering macromolecules, cells, tissues, and resource acquisition. Students interested in health professions are advised to begin supporting coursework such as CHM 111 College Chemistry I and CHM 111L College Chemistry I Lab, while the BA also allows students to choose biology-relevant supporting subjects according to their interests.

Year 2: Students progress to BIO 160 Biology II and BIO 160L Biology II Lab, developing their understanding of molecular genetics, evolution, ecology, and the environment. The department recommends completing the introductory Biology sequence by the end of the sophomore year, after which students can begin selecting 200- and 300-level Biology courses that align with their academic and career interests.

Year 3: Students deepen their expertise through at least three four-credit 300-level Biology courses, with the BA allowing considerable flexibility in selecting biology-relevant subjects. Depending on their interests, students can explore areas such as Human Physiology, Epidemiology, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Bioinformatics, Health Communication, or other approved courses from the BA co-requirement list.

Year 4: Students can consolidate their academic experience through BIO 390 Mentored Research, BIO 391 Independent Research, or BIO 399 Mentored Biology, while completing their remaining upper-level Biology and co-requisite coursework. Highly qualified seniors may also apply for Honors in Biology, which involves an independent research project, a scientific honors paper, and an oral presentation to the Biology Department.

Focus areas

Molecular and cellular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology and environment, physiology, human health, bioinformatics, environmental biology, scientific research, science communication, and interdisciplinary applications of biology.

Learning outcomes

Scientific communication, scientific and research literacy, understanding of foundational biological themes, ability to operate scientific equipment, accurate scientific record-keeping, research skills, and the ability to conduct and clearly explain scientific research.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Institutional accreditation: Wake Forest University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The university's official accreditation listing does not identify a separate programmatic accreditation specifically for the B.A. in Biology; the listed program-level accreditations include areas such as Chemistry and Counseling.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Career outcomes: Wake Forest reports that 97% of graduates over the last nine years were employed or in graduate school within nine months of receiving their degrees, while the university reports that 97% of the Class of 2024 was employed or enrolled in graduate programs within six months of graduation. In August 2026, Wake Forest also reported that it ranked No. 17 in LinkedIn’s Top Colleges 2026 and No. 10 for job placement; these are university-wide rankings rather than Biology-specific rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA in Biology at Wake Forest University gives students practical experience through laboratory courses, mentored research, independent research, and biology-related internships or applied experiences. A distinctive feature of the BA is its required undergraduate research or biology-related experience: students can work with Biology faculty, pursue approved experiences outside Wake Forest, or complete internships in areas such as science communication, science education, or public health.

Students can build this practical experience through several program-specific opportunities:

Laboratory training: The BA curriculum includes Biology I Lab and Biology II Lab, while upper-level Biology courses provide further practical exposure to biological methods and scientific investigation. The department specifically develops students’ ability to operate scientific equipment, maintain accurate records, interpret data, and conduct and explain scientific research.
Required undergraduate experience: Every BA Biology student must complete one semester of undergraduate research or a biology-related experience before graduation. This can involve a faculty-mentored project, science education, science communication, public-health work, or another approved biology-related project.
Research laboratories: Students can conduct research with faculty in the Department of Biology, with opportunities spanning ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics and genomics, microbiology, molecular/cell/developmental biology, neurobiology and behavior, physiology and biomechanics, and plant biology.
Internships and applied experiences: BA students can arrange internships or other biology-related experiences outside Wake Forest, including work with a science journalist, K–12 science teacher, or public-health department. Approved experiences can be completed through BIO 399.
Field research and field trips: The Sullivan Scholarship for Expanding Biological Horizons can support summer research at laboratories or field stations, independent biological studies away from Winston-Salem, and organized field trips led by Wake Forest Biology faculty. Previous student experiences have included Jamaica, Peru, Australia, Kenya, and the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Research away and summer opportunities: Students may satisfy the research requirement through URECA (Wake Forest Research Fellowship), summer research at another university, or approved research abroad/research away. Paid summer research supported by a stipend can also satisfy the undergraduate experience requirement through BIO 500E.
Research facilities: Winston Hall houses the Department of Biology, including laboratories and special research facilities. Biology also has research facilities at Wake Downtown, including two staffed microscopy centers, a research greenhouse, and a high-performance computing cluster.
Scientific equipment and data skills: The program specifically emphasizes operating scientific equipment, organizing and maintaining accurate records, applying scientific concepts to problems, making projections from data, and conducting and clearly explaining research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.A. in Biology at Wake Forest University develops a broad foundation in biological science, scientific communication, research literacy, and data-based problem solving, preparing graduates for employment in government, education, industry, and technical fields. The degree also provides strong preparation for graduate programs and professional schools, including medical, dental, and veterinary programs.

Career and Employment Opportunities:

Typical roles: Graduates may pursue roles such as biological technician, research assistant, laboratory technician, environmental or conservation professional, and science educator, depending on their additional experience and qualifications.
Career services: Wake Forest’s Office of Personal & Career Development provides one-on-one career coaching, internship and job-search support, employer connections, and graduate-school guidance. Students can use Handshake to find internships and employment opportunities posted specifically for Wake Forest students.
Biology-specific experience: The B.A. requires a mentored research, independent research, or mentored biology experience. Approved experiences can include science communication internships, working with K–12 science teachers, or internships with public health departments, giving students a practical route into career exploration.
Employment and salary figures: Wake Forest's official Biology sources do not publish a specific employment rate or salary figure for B.A. Biology graduates; therefore, no program-specific figure is provided.
University–industry and research connections: Biology students can conduct research with Department of Biology faculty, at the Wake Forest School of Medicine, at other STEM departments, or through summer research internships at other universities. Summer research can also be completed through Wake Forest’s URECA program with advisor approval.
Accreditation value: Wake Forest University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. Wake Forest states that SACSCOC accreditation represents continuing institutional commitment to quality and integrity and supports recognition of its degree-level programs.
Graduation outcomes: Biology graduates can enter employment in science-related, government, education, industry, and technical fields or use the degree as preparation for graduate and professional education.

Further Academic Progression: Biology graduates can continue into master's or doctoral study in biology and related life-science disciplines. Wake Forest's Biology Department itself offers M.S. and Ph.D. pathways, with research-focused training and opportunities to take interdisciplinary coursework in areas including chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics, statistics, and at the Wake Forest School of Medicine. Students interested in healthcare can also use Wake Forest's dedicated health-professions advising alongside their major advising when preparing for medical, dental, veterinary, or other professional programs.