BS in biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Wake Forest University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biology at Wake Forest University provides a strong foundation in the study of living systems, combining core biology with chemistry, statistics, mathematics, physics, and advanced biology coursework. It suits students interested in biological research, healthcare and professional schools, environmental and life-science careers, with opportunities to develop scientific communication, research literacy, data interpretation, and problem-solving skills.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the program’s core scientific foundation through BIO 150 Biology I and BIO 150L Biology I Lab, while CHM 111 College Chemistry I and CHM 111L College Chemistry I Lab introduce essential chemical principles. STA 111 Elementary Probability and Statistics develops quantitative skills, and Wake Forest specifically recommends completing these foundational requirements during the first year for BS Biology students.

Year 2: Students progress to BIO 160 Biology II and BIO 160L Biology II Lab, which introduce molecular genetics, evolution, ecology, and the environment. After completing BIO 150/150L and BIO 160/160L, students can begin selecting 200- and 300-level biology courses according to their interests and career objectives, alongside the BS program’s chemistry, mathematics, physics, computer science, environmental science, or statistics co-requirements.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes more specialized as students complete at least three four-credit 300-level Biology courses, allowing deeper study in areas such as genetics, cellular and molecular biology, comparative animal physiology, ecology, conservation, evolution, and plant biology. Courses such as BIO 235 Genetics and BIO 265 Cellular and Molecular Biology illustrate the advanced subject areas available to students.

Year 4: Students consolidate their advanced biological training while completing the BS major’s remaining biology and co-requisite requirements, including research experience through BIO 390 Mentored Research or BIO 391 Independent Research. Highly qualified students may also pursue Honors in Biology, which requires an independent research project, a scientific honors paper, and an oral presentation to the Biology Department.

Focus areas: Molecular genetics, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, conservation biology, comparative animal physiology, plant physiology and development, biodiversity, environmental biology, and biological research.

Learning outcomes: Scientific communication, scientific and research literacy, application of scientific concepts to problems, data interpretation and projection, critical observation, decision-making, organization of ideas and information, and preparation for biological science and health-profession pathways.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Wake Forest University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The university’s official accreditation listing does not identify a separate program-level accreditation for the B.S. in Biology.

Reputation (employability rankings): Wake Forest states that its Biology graduates are prepared for graduate programs in the biological sciences and professional schools such as medical, dental, and veterinary programs, as well as positions in government, education, industry, and technical fields. A specific Biology B.S. employability ranking is not published by Wake Forest; QS lists Wake Forest University at #801–850 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, which is an institutional ranking rather than a Biology-specific employability ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biology at Wake Forest University is designed to give students practical experience alongside their biological science coursework, with laboratory work beginning in the introductory sequence and continuing into mentored or independent research. A particularly strong feature is that every B.S. Biology student must complete a semester of research, allowing students to work directly with faculty on active biological research rather than limiting their experience to teaching laboratories.

Students can build hands-on experience through several program-specific opportunities:

Core biology laboratories: The B.S. begins with BIO 150L Biology I Lab and BIO 160L Biology II Lab, giving students practical laboratory experience as part of the required introductory sequence.
Required undergraduate research: Every B.S. Biology student must complete one semester of research. Students can undertake BIO 390 Mentored Research or BIO 391 Independent Research, with BIO 390 introducing research technologies and techniques and BIO 391 allowing students to develop greater independence in a research project.
Faculty research laboratories: Students can join research laboratories within the Department of Biology and work with faculty on projects across ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics and genomics, microbiology, molecular/cell/developmental biology, neurobiology and behavior, physiology and biomechanics, and plant biology.
Wake Forest School of Medicine: Biology undergraduates can conduct research in laboratories at the Wake Forest School of Medicine, gaining exposure to biomedical research beyond the main biology department. The university specifically outlines opportunities to join medical-school faculty laboratories through BIO 391 Independent Research or BIO 390 Mentored Research.
Summer research and internships: Students can satisfy the research requirement through approved summer research at Wake Forest, another university, or other research settings. The department also identifies summer research internships and research-away opportunities as options.
Field research and field trips: The Biology Department’s Sullivan Scholarship supports summer experiences at research 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 field and research work in places such as Jamaica, Peru, Australia, Kenya, the Galápagos Islands, Bolivia, Spain, and South Africa.
URECA research support: The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URECA) Center supports faculty-mentored undergraduate research, provides funding opportunities and summer stipends, and organizes Undergraduate Research Day, where students present their research findings.
Research presentation: Biology students are prominent participants in Wake Forest’s Undergraduate Research Day; the university reports that Biology majors accounted for one of every seven presentations over the past 15 years.
Honors research: Qualified Biology majors can pursue Honors in Biology, which requires an independent research project, a scientific-paper-style honors thesis, approval by an advisory committee, and an oral presentation to the Biology Department.
Biomedical research facilities: Wake Forest highlights the renovated Biology facilities on the Reynolda Campus as well as the biomedical center at Wake Downtown, providing students with access to a broader research environment connected to biological and biomedical work.
Scientific and data skills: The program specifically identifies the ability to operate scientific equipment, maintain accurate records, and conduct and clearly explain scientific research among the skills students develop. The B.S. also includes quantitative options such as STA 112 Introduction to Regression and Data Science and Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Lab among its co-requisite choices.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Biology at Wake Forest University develops scientific research, laboratory, quantitative, and problem-solving skills that can lead to careers across biotechnology, healthcare, environmental science, and laboratory research. Biology graduates can pursue roles such as biochemist, bioinformaticist, environmental specialist, or clinical laboratory professional, while the degree also provides a strong foundation for professional and graduate study.

Career and Employment Opportunities: Wake Forest combines major-specific career guidance with employer connections, internship opportunities, and preparation for graduate or professional school:

Career Services: The Office of Personal and Career Development provides career coaching assigned by major, resume and LinkedIn reviews, cover-letter guidance, interview preparation, career fairs, employer information sessions, networking opportunities, and continued alumni career support. Students can also use Handshake to find internships, jobs, interviews, and employer events.
Employment opportunities: Wake Forest lists employers of its graduates including Atrium Health, Accenture, Deloitte, General Mills, and Wake Forest University, while the Biology department identifies career areas including biochemistry, bioinformatics, clinical pathology, environmental science, genetic counseling, and laboratory work.
Employment statistics and salary figures: A program-specific employment rate or salary figure for the BS in Biology is not stated on the official Biology program sources reviewed; therefore, no unsupported salary figure is provided.
University–industry connections: Wake Forest's Employer Relations team connects students with employers through on-campus and virtual information sessions, interviews, recruiting events, and Handshake opportunities. The university specifically identifies Atrium Health among employers where Wake Forest graduates work, providing a relevant connection for students interested in health and life-science careers.
Research and professional preparation: The BS requires BIO 390 Mentored Research or BIO 391 Independent Research, giving students an opportunity to develop research experience before graduation. Qualified students may also pursue Biology Honors through an independent research project, scientific paper, and departmental presentation.
Accreditation value: Wake Forest University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university states that SACSCOC accreditation involves continuing review of institutional quality, resources, educational objectives, and improvement, supporting the long-term academic recognition of the degree.
Graduation outcomes: Biology graduates can move directly into scientific, laboratory, environmental, and healthcare-related careers or use the bachelor's degree as preparation for graduate and professional programs. Wake Forest also offers Biology MS and PhD pathways, with research areas spanning molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, microbiology, ecology, neurobiology, physiology, and other biological sciences.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Biology, students can continue into Wake Forest's MS or PhD in Biology, where graduate study combines advanced coursework with individualized, hands-on research. Students interested in healthcare or biomedical careers can also pursue appropriate professional or graduate programs, while Wake Forest offers biomedical graduate programs including Biomedical Research, Biomedical Science, and Biomedical Engineering.