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College of Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences
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Beyond Basic Biology

Our department redefines multidisciplinary when it comes to our educational and research opportunities. Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Paleontology, and Toxicology encompass only a few of the exciting areas in which our faculty and students are impacting global scientific challenges.

Interested in Biology? You’ve come to the right place!

The Department of Biological Sciences is one of the largest academic units at NC State with over 2000 undergraduate majors, 100 graduate students, and ~70 faculty in diverse disciplines from genetics to paleobiology.

Fall 2025 Graduation

Information on the next Biological Sciences department graduation will be available soon.



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Enriching the Student Experience Beyond the Classroom and Campus

Because so much critical learning occurs outside of the classroom, we have partnerships with communities and institutions across the state and are expanding our study abroad offerings to provide exciting opportunities for exploration, research, and engagement.

Upcoming Events

All Events
Sep 16

Tuesday8:00 AM

Wellness Day
Feb 17

Tuesday8:00 AM

Wellness Day

Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Soultions was recognized with the 2024 Gertrude Cox Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology.

Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Solutions is a multidisciplinary experience created for all incoming first-year and transfer students at NC State University. Each year, this course focuses on a current “wicked problem,” defined as a highly complex problem that can only be addressed through collaborative, multidisciplinary efforts.

‘A Wicked Success’: Award-Winning NC State Experience Celebrates Five Years of Impact

As Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Solutions marks five years of challenging incoming students to Think and Do, it’s also earning national recognition, including winning the Online Learning Consortium Award of Excellence in Digital Learning Innovation at OLC Innovate 2025.

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Scott M. Belcher | TEDxBoston

Why would a toxicologist wrangle an alligator? North Carolina researchers are seeking to understand the effects of exposures to elevated Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS; aka forever chemicals) by studying the impacts found in the wildlife inside high exposure areas. These species serve as sentinels to infer and reflect potential adverse impacts that might be found in human populations under similar exposures. Observing American alligators, a resilient keystone species, findings show hindered immune function in these usually robust creatures and other aquatic species.

Watch his full talk

BioSci and NC State – a national hub for Environmental Health Sciences research

We are one of very few institutions to support several major Centers funded by the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve understanding about chemical exposures in the environment, their health impacts, and prevention.

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news

NC State Memorial Belltower

April 15, 2025

NC State Continues Tradition of Faculty Achievement

The Celebration of Faculty Excellence is held each spring to recognize outstanding faculty who have received prestigious state, national and international awards, accolades or other distinctions during this academic year. This year, NC State honored 26 faculty members during the 2025 Celebration of Faculty Excellence on April 8.
Campus gateway sign reading NC State University

March 31, 2025

PFAS From Fluorochemical Plant Found in Dust of Nearby Homes

PFAS associated with a nearby fluorochemical plant is in the household dust of homes located in Cumberland and Bladen counties.
Dean and Gail Bunce pose with Mr. Wuf

March 18, 2025

Giving Back on Day of Giving

Longtime NC State supporters Dean Bunce ’86 and his wife, Gail, have pledged challenge gifts every year on Day of Giving. This year is no different. 
Alease Barnes speaking at a podium

March 17, 2025

The Power of Connection

Embryologist and alumna Alease Barnes was the keynote speaker at the college’s Excellence in STEM Dinner. The event was sponsored by BASF.
A dinosaur exhibit shows life-sized long-necked and flying dinosaur models against the blue sky of an atrium.

March 06, 2025

Soft Tissue Samples Can Survive in Several Different Dinosaur Fossils

Recently published research provides further evidence for the preservation of soft tissues and structures through deep time regardless of the species, age or burial environment of the fossils in question.

March 03, 2025

Eggshells Point to Diverse Dino Ecosystem in North America

Lindsay Zanno explains what fossilized eggshells can tell us about life in the Late Cretaceous period.

Current and prospective students: