Zoology (BS)

To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!

The Bachelor of Science in Zoology curriculum concentrates on organismal biology, with an emphasis on animals. Required courses are designed to develop breadth and depth in core areas, providing a strong base for all Zoology majors. Students acquire a knowledge of zoology from the organizational level of molecules and cells to the organizational level of ecosystems, with flexibility in the selection of upper level courses to specialize or remain generalized, according to individual interests and career goals.

Plan Requirements

Exploring the Life Sciences
LSC 103Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences1
Communication
Advanced Writing Requirement Elective 13
Math & Statistical Sciences
MA 131Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 13
or MA 141 Calculus I
MA 231Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 13
or MA 241 Calculus II
ST 311Introduction to Statistics 13
or ST 371 Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory
Natural Sciences
LSC 101Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 12
BIO 181Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 14
BIO 183Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 14
ZO 250Animal Anatomy and Physiology 14
AEC 360Ecology 14
or PB 360 Ecology
CH 101Chemistry - A Molecular Science 13
CH 102General Chemistry Laboratory 11
CH 201Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 13
CH 202Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 11
CH 221Organic Chemistry I 13
CH 222Organic Chemistry I Lab 11
CH 223Organic Chemistry II 13
CH 224Organic Chemistry II Lab 11
GN 311Principles of Genetics 14
Select one of the following: 14
University Physics I
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
College Physics I
Select one of the following: 14
University Physics II
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
College Physics II
Major Electives
ZO 350Animal Phylogeny and Diversity 14
or ZO 402 Invertebrate Biology
Zoology Electives 112
Additional Science & Math Electives9
GEP Courses
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 14
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP Additional Breadth (Humanities/Social Sciences/Visual and Performing Arts)3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP U.S. Diversity (verify requirement)
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 212
Total Hours120

Advanced Writing Requirement Electives

BIO 267Research in the Life Sciences I: Research Skills
COM 211Argumentation and Advocacy3
ENG 214Introduction to Editing3
ENG 232Literature and Medicine3
ENG 287Explorations in Creative Writing3
ENG 288Fiction Writing3
ENG 289Poetry Writing3
ENG 292Writing About Film3
ENG 316Introduction to News and Article Writing3
ENG 323Writing in the Rhetorical Tradition3
ENG 331Communication for Engineering and Technology3
ENG 332Communication for Business and Management3
ENG 333Communication for Science and Research3
ENG 381Creative Nonfiction Writing Workshop3
ENG 388Intermediate Fiction Writing Workshop3
ENG 389Intermediate Poetry Writing Workshop3
ENG 416Advanced News and Article Writing3
ENG 417Editorial and Opinion Writing3
ENG 422Writing Theory and the Writing Process3
ENG 425Analysis of Scientific and Technical Writing3
ENG 426Analyzing Style3

Zoology Electives

AEC 380Water Resources: Global Issues in Ecology, Policy, Management, and Advocacy3
AEC 400Applied Ecology3
AEC 419Freshwater Ecology4
AEC 441Biology of Fishes3
AEC 442Biology of Fishes Laboratory1
AEC 460Field Ecology and Methods4
AEC 501Avian Ecology4
AEC 509Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates3
AEC 515Fish Physiology3
AEC 519Freshwater Ecology4
AEC 761Conservation and Climate Science3
BIO 270Introduction to Evolution3
BIO 315General Parasitology3
BIO 330Evolutionary Biology3
BIO 361Developmental Biology3
BIO 370Developmental Anatomy of the Vertebrates3
BIO 375Developmental Anatomy Laboratory2
BIO 444The Biology of Love and Sex3
ENT 402Forest Entomology3
ENT 425General Entomology3
ENT 509Biology of Aquatic Insects3
ENT 582Medical and Veterinary Entomology3
FOR 402Forest Entomology
FW 444Mammalogy3
FW 515Fish Physiology3
FW 544Mammalogy3
MB 435Bacterial Pathogenesis3
MB 470Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases3
MB 535Bacterial Pathogenesis3
MEA 220Marine Biology3
PHY 524Comparative Endocrinology3
PO 524Comparative Endocrinology3
ZO 317Primate Ecology and Evolution3
ZO 333Captive Animal Biology3
ZO 410Introduction to Animal Behavior3
ZO 486Capstone Course in Zoology3
ZO 512Animal Symbiosis3
ZO 513Comparative Physiology3
ZO 522Biological Clocks3
ZO 5243
ZO 542Herpetology3
ZO 582Medical and Veterinary Entomology3

Additional Science & Math Electives 

Science and Math (ANS)
ANS 220
ANS 221
Reproductive Physiology
and Reproductive Physiology Lab
0
ANS 225Principles of Animal Nutrition
ANS 230
ANS 231
Animal Nutrition
and Animal Nutrition Lab
0
ANS 330Laboratory Animal Science
ANS 415/515/NTR 415/515/PO 415/515Comparative Nutrition
ANS 452/552/PHY 452/552Comparative Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology
ANS 453/553Physiology and Genetics of Growth and Development
ANS 454/554/NTR 454Lactation, Milk and Nutrition
ANS/NTR 561Equine Nutrition
ANS/BCH 571Regulation of Metabolism
FS/NTR 301Introduction to Human Nutrition
NTR 419Human Nutrition and Chronic Disease
Science and Math (ANT)
ANT 251Physical Anthropology
ANT 370Introduction to Forensic Anthropology
ANT 371Human Variation
ANT 421/521Human Osteology
ANT 424/524Bioarchaeology
ANT 475/575Environmental Archaeology
ANT 483/583Theories of Archaeological Research
ANT 529Advanced Methods in Forensic Anthropology
ANT 585Skeletal Biology in Anthropology
Science and Math (BCH)
ANS/BCH 571Regulation of Metabolism
BCH 220Role of Biotechnology in Society
BCH 351General Biochemistry
BCH 451
BCH 452
Principles of Biochemistry
and Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory
0
BCH 453/553Biochemistry of Gene Expression
BCH 454Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory
BCH 455/555Proteins and Molecular Mechanisms
BCH 552Experimental Biochemistry
Science and Math (BIT)
BEC 463/563/CHE 463/563Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms
BIO 572Proteomics
BIT/MB 210Phage Hunters
BIT/MB 211Phage Genomics
BIT 410Manipulation of Recombinant DNA
BIT 462/562Gene Expression Analysis: Microarrays
BIT 463/563Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms
BIT 464/564Protein Purification
BIT 466/566/PO 466/566Animal Cell Culture Techniques
BIT 467/567PCR and DNA Fingerprinting
BIT 468/568Genome Mapping
BIT 471/571RNA Interference and Model Organisms
BIT 473/573Protein Interactions
BIT 474/574Plant Genetic Engineering
BIT 476Applied Bioinformatics
BIT 477/577Metagenomics
BIT/PB 481Plant Tissue Culture and Transformation
BIT 510Core Technologies in Molecular and Cellular Biology
BIT/CH 572Proteomics
Science and Math (MA)
BIO/BMA 560Population Ecology
BMA 567Modeling of Biological Systems
BMA 573Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes I
BMA 574Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes II
Science and Math (CBS)
CBS 565Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences
CBS 570Methods in Biomedical Sciences
CBS 580Epidemiology I
Science and Math (CH)
CH 230Computational Chemistry Lab I
CH 232Computational Chemistry Lab II
CH 315Quantitative Analysis
CH 331Introductory Physical Chemistry
CH 401Systematic Inorganic Chemistry I
CH 403Systematic Inorganic Chemistry II
CH 431Physical Chemistry I
CH 433Physical Chemistry II
CH 435Introduction to Quantum Chemistry
CH 441Forensic Chemistry
CH 442Advanced Synthetic Techniques
CH 444Advanced Synthetic Techniques II
CH 452Advanced Measurement Techniques I
CH 463/563Molecular Origins of Life
Science and Math (ENT)
AEC 409/509Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates
ENT 207Insects and Human Disease
ENT 305Introduction to Forensic Entomology
ENT/FOR 402Forest Entomology
ENT 425General Entomology
ENT 502Insect Diversity
ENT 503Insect Morphology and Physiology
ENT/GES 506Principles of Genetic Pest Management
ENT 526Organic Agriculture: Principles and Practices
ENT 560Techniques in Molecular Ecology and Evolution
ENT/ZO 582Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Science and Math (ES)
ES 300Energy and Environment
ES 400Analysis of Environmental Issues
Science and Math (FOR)
AEC 423Introduction to Fisheries Sciences Laboratory
ENT 402Forest Entomology
FOR 252Introduction to Forest Science
FOR 260Forest Ecology
FOR 261Forest Communities
FOR 264Forest Wildlife
FOR 265Fire Management
FOR 303Silvics and Forest Tree Physiology
FOR 304Theory of Silviculture
FOR 318Forest Pathology
FOR 330North Carolina Forests
FOR 339Dendrology
FOR 402Forest Entomology
FOR 405Forest Management
FOR 411Forest Tree Genetics and Biology
FOR 414World Forestry
FOR 415World Forestry Study Tour
FOR 420Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology
FOR 501Dendrology
FOR 503Tree Physiology
FOR 505Forest Management
FOR 507Silviculture Mini Course
FOR 510Introduction to GPS
FOR 513Silviculture for Intensively Managed Plantations
FOR 520Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology
FOR 540Advanced Dendrology
FOR 562Forest Communities of the Southern Appalachians
FOR 575Advanced Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology
FOR 583Tropical Forestry
FW 221Conservation of Natural Resources
FW 404Wildlife Habitat Management
NR 420/520Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology
PP 318Forest Pathology
Science and Math (FW)
AEC 420Introduction to Fisheries Science
AEC 515Fish Physiology
AEC 586Aquaculture
AEC 587Aquaculture Laboratory
FW 221Conservation of Natural Resources
FW 311Piedmont Wildlife Ecology and Management
FW 312Fisheries Techniques and Management
FW 313Mountain Wildlife Ecology and Management
FW 314Coastal Ecology and Management
FW 333Conservation Biology in Practice
FW 353Wildlife Management
FW 403Urban Wildlife Management
FW 404Wildlife Habitat Management
FW 444Mammalogy
FW 453Principles of Wildlife Science
FW 460International Wildlife Management and Conservation
FW 465African Ecology and Conservation
FW 515Fish Physiology
FW 544Mammalogy
FW 553Principles of Wildlife Science
FW 560International Wildlife Management and Conservation
FW 565African Ecology and Conservation
FW 586Aquaculture
FW 587Aquaculture Laboratory
ZO 553Principles Of Wildlife Science
Science and Math (GN)
GN 301Genetics in Human Affairs
GN 312Elementary Genetics Laboratory
GN 421Molecular Genetics
GN 423Population, Quantitative and Evolutionary Genetics
GN 425Advanced Genetics Laboratory
GN 427Introductory Bioinformatics
GN 434Genes and Development
GN 441Human and Biomedical Genetics
GN 450Conservation Genetics
GN 451Genome Science
GN 453Personal Genomics
GN 461Advanced Bioinformatics
GN 521Molecular Genetics
GN 541Human and Biomedical Genetics
GN 550Conservation Genetics
Science and Math (MA)
BMA 573Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes I
BMA 574Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes II
CSC 416Introduction to Combinatorics
CSC 427Introduction to Numerical Analysis I
CSC 428Introduction to Numerical Analysis II
CSC 565Graph Theory
CSC 580Numerical Analysis I
CSC 583Introduction to Parallel Computing
E 531Dynamic Systems and Multivariable Control I
FIM 547Stochastic Calculus for Finance
ISE 505Linear Programming
LOG 335Symbolic Logic
MA 205Elements of Matrix Computations
MA 225Foundations of Advanced Mathematics
MA 242Calculus III
MA 302Numerical Applications to Differential Equations
MA 303Linear Analysis
MA 305Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices
MA 315Mathematics Methods in Atmospheric Sciences
MA 325Introduction to Applied Mathematics
MA 331Differential Equations for the Life Sciences
MA 335Symbolic Logic
MA 341Applied Differential Equations I
MA 351Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models
MA 401Applied Differential Equations II
MA 402Mathematics of Scientific Computing
MA 403Introduction to Modern Algebra
MA 405Introduction to Linear Algebra
MA 408Foundations of Euclidean Geometry
MA 410Theory of Numbers
MA 413Short-Term Actuarial Models
MA 416Introduction to Combinatorics
MA 421Introduction to Probability
MA 425Mathematical Analysis I
MA 426Mathematical Analysis II
MA 427Introduction to Numerical Analysis I
MA 428Introduction to Numerical Analysis II
MA 430Mathematical Models in the Physical Sciences
MA 432Mathematical Models in Life Sciences
MA 437Applications of Algebra
MA 440Game Theory
MA 444Problem Solving Strategies for Competitions
MA 501Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists I
MA 502Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists II
MA 504Introduction to Mathematical Programming
MA 505Linear Programming
MA 511Introduction to Advanced Calculus
MA 512Advanced Calculus
MA 513Introduction To Complex Variables
MA 515Analysis I
MA 518Geometry of Curves and Surfaces
MA 520Linear Algebra
MA 521Abstract Algebra I
MA 522Computer Algebra
MA 523Linear Transformations and Matrix Theory
MA 524Combinatorics I
MA 531Dynamic Systems and Multivariable Control I
MA 532Ordinary Differential Equations I
MA 534Introduction To Partial Differential Equations
MA 537Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
MA 544Computer Experiments In Mathematical Probability
MA 546Probability and Stochastic Processes I
MA 547Stochastic Calculus for Finance
MA 551Introduction to Topology
MA 555Introduction to Manifold Theory
MA 561Set Theory and Foundations Of Mathematics
MA 573Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes I
MA 574Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes II
MA 580
MA 583Introduction to Parallel Computing
MA 584Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations--Finite Difference Methods
MA 587Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations--Finite Element Method
MEA 315Mathematics Methods in Atmospheric Sciences
OR 504Introduction to Mathematical Programming
OR 505Linear Programming
OR 531Dynamic Systems and Multivariable Control I
OR 565Graph Theory
ST 412Long-Term Actuarial Models
ST 413Short-Term Actuarial Models
ST 546Probability and Stochastic Processes I
Science and Math (MB)
BIT 210Phage Hunters
BIT 211Phage Genomics
FS 405/505Food Microbiology
FS 406/506Food Microbiology Lab
MB 200The Fourth Horseman: Plagues that Changed the World
MB 211Phage Genomics
MB 351General Microbiology
MB 352General Microbiology Laboratory
MB 354Inquiry-Guided Microbiology Lab
MB 360Scientific Inquiry in Microbiology: At the Bench
MB 405Food Microbiology
MB 406Food Microbiology Lab
MB 411Medical Microbiology
MB 412Medical Microbiology Laboratory
MB 414Microbial Metabolic Regulation
MB 420Fundamentals of Microbial Cell Biotransformations
MB 435Bacterial Pathogenesis
MB 441Immunology
MB 451Microbial Diversity
MB 452Microbial Diversity Lab
MB 455Microbial Biotechnology
MB 461Molecular Virology
MB 470Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases
MB 501Biology of Plant Pathogens
MB 505Food Microbiology
MB 506Food Microbiology Lab
MB 520Fundamentals of Microbial Cell Biotransformations
MB 532Soil Microbiology
MB 535Bacterial Pathogenesis
MB 555Microbial Biotechnology
MB 575Introduction to Mycology
PB 501Biology of Plant Pathogens
PB 575Introduction to Mycology
PP 501Biology of Plant Pathogens
PP 575Introduction to Mycology
SSC 532Soil Microbiology
Science and Math (MEA)
CE 435Engineering Geology
CE 479Air Quality
CE 581Fluid Mechanics in Natural Environments
ET 320Fundamentals of Air Pollution
GIS 582Geospatial Modeling
MA 315Mathematics Methods in Atmospheric Sciences
MEA 200Introduction to Oceanography
MEA 202Geology II: Historical
MEA 210Oceanography Lab
MEA 211Geology II Laboratory
MEA 220Marine Biology
MEA 250Introduction to Coastal Environments
MEA 251Introduction to Coastal Environments Laboratory
MEA 300Environmental Geology
MEA 312Atmospheric Thermodynamics
MEA 315Mathematics Methods in Atmospheric Sciences
MEA 320Fundamentals of Air Pollution
MEA 321Fundamentals of Air Quality and Climate Change
MEA 323Geochemistry of Natural Waters
MEA 369Life on Earth: Principles of Paleontology
MEA 410Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology
MEA 411Marine Sediment Transport
MEA 412Atmospheric Physics
MEA 415Climate Dynamics
MEA 421Atmospheric Dynamics I
MEA 422Atmospheric Dynamics II
MEA 425Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry
MEA 440Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
MEA 443Synoptic Weather Analysis and Forecasting
MEA 444Mesoscale Analysis and Forecasting
MEA 449Principles of Biological Oceanography
MEA 450Introductory Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
MEA 451Structural Geology
MEA 454Marine Physical-Biological Interactions
MEA 455Micrometeorology
MEA 459Field Investigation of Coastal Processes
MEA 462Observational Methods and Data Analysis in Marine Physics
MEA 463Fluid Physics
MEA 464Ocean Circulation Systems
MEA 465Geologic Field Camp
MEA 467Marine Meteorology
MEA 469Ecology of coastal Resources
MEA 470Introduction to Geophysics
MEA 471Exploration and Engineering Geophysics
MEA 473Principles of Chemical Oceanography
MEA 476Worldwide River and Delta Systems: Their Evolution and Human Impacts
MEA 479Air Quality
MEA 481Geomorphology: Earth's Dynamic Surface
MEA 485Introduction to Hydrogeology
MEA 510Air Pollution Meteorology
MEA 511Introduction to Meteorological Remote Sensing
MEA 514Advanced Physical Meteorology
MEA 515Climate Dynamics
MEA 525Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry
MEA 540Principles of Physical Oceanography
MEA 549Principles of Biological Oceanography
MEA 554Marine Physical-Biological Interactions
MEA 562Marine Sediment Transport
MEA 570Geological Oceanography
MEA 573Principles of Chemical Oceanography
MEA 574Advanced Igneous Petrology
MEA 577Electron Microprobe Analysis of Geologic Material
MEA 579Principles of Air Quality Engineering
MEA 580Air Quality Modeling and Forecasting
MEA 581Fluid Mechanics in Natural Environments
MEA 582Geospatial Modeling
MEA 585Physical Hydrogeology
MEA 599Regional Geology of North America
Science and Math (MT)
MT 323Introduction to Theory and Practice of Medical Fiber and Yarn Formation
MT 366Biotextile Product Development
MT 432Biotextiles Evaluation
MT/PCC 471The Chemistry of Synthetic and Natural Bipolymers
Science and Math (NTR)
ANS 415Comparative Nutrition
ANS 454/554/FS 554Lactation, Milk and Nutrition
ANS 550Applied Ruminant Nutrition
ANS 561Equine Nutrition
FS 301Introduction to Human Nutrition
FS 401/FW 501Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism
FS 555Exercise Nutrition
FS 557Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods
NTR 301Introduction to Human Nutrition
NTR 401Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism
NTR 415Comparative Nutrition
NTR 419Human Nutrition and Chronic Disease
NTR 421Life Cycle Nutrition
NTR 500Principles of Human Nutrition
NTR 501Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism
NTR 515Comparative Nutrition
NTR 521Life Cycle Nutrition
NTR 550Applied Ruminant Nutrition
NTR 555Exercise Nutrition
NTR 557Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods
NTR 561Equine Nutrition
PO 415/515Comparative Nutrition
Science and Math (PB)
AEC 360Ecology
BIO 330Evolutionary Biology
BIO 414Cell Biology
BIT 476Applied Bioinformatics
BIT 481Plant Tissue Culture and Transformation
FOR 565Plant Community Ecology
MB 501Biology of Plant Pathogens
MB 575Introduction to Mycology
PB 205Our Green World
PB 215Medicinal Plants
PB 219Plants in Folklore, Myth, and religion
PB 220Local Flora
PB 250Plant Biology
PB 321Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology
PB 360Ecology
PB 400Plant Diversity and Evolution
PB 403Systematic Botany
PB 421Plant Physiology
PB 445Paleobotany
PB 464Rare Plants of North Carolina
PB 480Introduction to Plant Biotechnology
PB 481Plant Tissue Culture and Transformation
PB 501Biology of Plant Pathogens
PB 503Systematic Botany
PB 513Plant Anatomy
PB 545Paleobotany
PB 564Rare Plants of North Carolina
PB 570Plant Functional Ecology
PB 580Introduction to Plant Biotechnology
PP 501Biology of Plant Pathogens
PP 575Introduction to Mycology
Science and Math (PHY)
PHY 503General Physiology I
PHY 504General Physiology II
PHY 524Comparative Endocrinology
PO 524Comparative Endocrinology
ZO 524
Science and Math (PP)
CS 502Plant Disease: Methods & Diagnosis
FOR 318Forest Pathology
HS 502Plant Disease: Methods & Diagnosis
MB 501Biology of Plant Pathogens
MB 575Introduction to Mycology
PB 501Biology of Plant Pathogens
PB 575Introduction to Mycology
PP 315Principles of Plant Pathology
PP 318Forest Pathology
PP 501Biology of Plant Pathogens
PP 502Plant Disease: Methods & Diagnosis
PP 530Agriculture, Ethics and the Environment
PP 540Tropical Plant Pathology
PP 575Introduction to Mycology
Science and Math (PY)
PY 252Instrumental and Data Analysis for Physics
PY 301Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
PY 328Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics
PY 341Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology
PY 401Quantum Physics I
PY 402Quantum Physics II
Science and Math (SSC)
MB 352General Microbiology Laboratory
SSC 200Soil Science
SSC 201Soil Science Laboratory
SSC 332Environmental Soil Microbiology
SSC 341Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management
SSC 342Soil and Plant Nutrient Analysis
SSC 421Role of Soils in Environmental Management
SSC 427Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems
SSC 442Soil and Environmental Biogeochemistry
SSC 452Soil Classification
SSC 461Soil Physical Properties and Plant Growth
SSC 470Wetland Soils
SSC 511Soil Physics
SSC 521Soil Chemistry
SSC 532Soil Microbiology
SSC 541Soil Fertility
SSC 545Remote Sensing Applications in Soil Science and Agriculture
SSC 551Soil Morphology, Genesis and Classification
SSC 562Environmental Applications Of Soil Science
SSC 570Wetland Soils
Science and Math (ST)
BUS 350Economics and Business Statistics
EC 351Econometrics I
ECG 561Applied Econometrics I
MA 412Long-Term Actuarial Models
MA 413Short-Term Actuarial Models
MA 546Probability and Stochastic Processes I
PSY 240Introduction to Behavioral Research I
PSY 241Introduction to Behavioral Research I Lab
PSY 242Introduction to Behavioral Research II
PSY 243Introduction to Behavioral Research II Lab
ST 305Statistical Methods
ST 311Introduction to Statistics
ST 312Introduction to Statistics II
ST 350Economics and Business Statistics
ST 371Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory
ST 372Introduction to Statistical Inference and Regression
ST 401Experiences in Data Analysis
ST 412Long-Term Actuarial Models
ST 413Short-Term Actuarial Models
ST 421Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I
ST 422Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II
ST 430Introduction to Regression Analysis
ST 431Introduction to Experimental Design
ST 432Introduction to Survey Sampling
ST 435Statistical Methods for Quality and Productivity Improvement
ST 445Introduction to Statistical Computing and Data Management
ST 505Applied Nonparametric Statistics
ST 506Sampling Animal Populations
ST 511Statistical Methods For Researchers I
ST 512Statistical Methods For Researchers II
ST 520Statistical Principles of Clinical Trials
ST 524Statistics In Plant Science
ST 535Statistical Methods for Quality and Productivity Improvement
ST 546Probability and Stochastic Processes I
ST 561Applied Econometrics I
Science and Math (TOX)
TOX 401Principles of Toxicology
TOX 415Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
TOX 501Principles of Toxicology
TOX 515Environmental Toxicology
Science and Math (ZO)
AEC 409Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates
AEC 501Avian Ecology
AEC 509Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates
AEC 515Fish Physiology
AEC 586Aquaculture
AEC 587Aquaculture Laboratory
BIO 518Experience and the Brain
ENT 582Medical and Veterinary Entomology
FW 515Fish Physiology
FW 586Aquaculture
FW 587Aquaculture Laboratory
MEA 449Principles of Biological Oceanography
MEA 549Principles of Biological Oceanography
PHY 503General Physiology I
PHY 504General Physiology II
PHY 524Comparative Endocrinology
PO 524Comparative Endocrinology
ZO 334Captive Animal Biology Field Laboratory
ZO 350Animal Phylogeny and Diversity
ZO 512Animal Symbiosis
ZO 522Biological Clocks
ZO 524
ZO 542Herpetology
ZO 582Medical and Veterinary Entomology

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
LSC 101 Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 1 2
BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 4
CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 3
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory 1 1
MA 131 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 1 3
LSC 103 Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences 1
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
BIO 183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 1 4
CH 221 Organic Chemistry I 1 3
CH 222 Organic Chemistry I Lab 1 1
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
MA 231 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 1 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
CH 223 Organic Chemistry II 1 3
CH 224 Organic Chemistry II Lab 1 1
ST 311
Introduction to Statistics 1
or Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory
3
ZO 250 Animal Anatomy and Physiology 1 4
GEP Humanities 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Ecology Requirement 1 4
GN 311 Principles of Genetics 1 4
CH 201 Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 1 3
CH 202 Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 1 1
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
Animal Phylogeny Requirement 1 4
Free Elective 3
PY 211 College Physics I 1 4
GEP Social Sciences 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
Advanced Writing Requirement 1 3
Zoology Elective 1 3
PY 212 College Physics II 1 4
GEP Social Sciences 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Zoology Elective 1 3
Zoology Elective 1 3
Science & Math Elective 3
Science & Math Elective 3
GEP Humanities 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Zoology Elective 1 3
Science & Math Elective 3
Free Elective 3
GEP Additional Breadth (Humanities/Social Sciences/Visual and Performing Arts) 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120

Career Opportunities

Many students majoring in the Department of Biological Sciences take advantage of scholarship and honors programs available at NC State, including the University Honors Program and the University Scholars Program.  In addition, we offer a discipline-based Undergraduate Honors Program in Biological Sciences (DBS Honors Program).  The DBS Honors Program requires students to design a challenging program of advanced study, including eight credits of honors coursework in biology and at least two semesters of research or teaching scholarship.  Participants write an honors thesis and are required to present their scholarly work at a local, regional, or national meeting.  Invitations to join the DBS Honors Program are sent in the first three weeks of the Fall and Spring semesters.  Students in any major in the Department of Biological Sciences who have earned an overall GPA of 3.60 after completing 30-65 credit hours at NC State will receive an invitation to join the DBS Honors Program; transfer students in any of our majors who have earned an overall GPA of 3.60 in 15 credit hours at NC State also will receive an invitation.  

Students who graduate from the Department of Biological Sciences are well prepared for employment in various government agencies and private industries. Graduates may continue their education with studies leading to advanced degrees in many areas of the biological sciences, including cell biology, ecology, microbiology, genetics, zoology, neurobiology, and biomedical disciplines. Many choose to seek advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, public health, and other health-related fields. Students who plan to seek certification for pre-college teaching may want to pursue a second major in the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Education.