Skip to main content
College of Sciences 
Department of Biological Sciences

Beyond Basic Biology

Our department focuses on interdisciplinary education and diverse research opportunities to explore some of the most pressing scientific issues facing our world.

COVID-19

See how NC State is working to protect the Pack.

Learn more 
Dhuru Patel portrait in graduation gownPlay Video
Dhuru Patel, a recent graduate in biological sciences, is passionate about giving back. He’s been using what he’s learned at NC State in his job at a medical clinic and to help with COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in the Raleigh area.
Jane Lubischer with Life Sciences First Year students

Undergraduate

Our undergraduate programs offer students a world-class education in the biological sciences that prepares them for bright futures.

See what we offer 

Graduate

We offer more than 15 degrees in seven focus areas at the master’s and doctoral levels, as well as a thriving research environment.

Learn more 
Lindsay Zanno in paleontology lab

Research

Research is an integral part of the educational experience in our department, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Explore our research 

Nearly 500 Graduates

With over 500 graduates in 2020-2021, the Department of Biological Sciences is one of the largest academic departments at NC State.

BioSci Students Think and Do

With the diverse range of concentrations under the BioSci scope, our students are impacting the world with contributions beyond the classroom. Check out a few of our students making their ideas reality.

A Leader in the Lab and the Legislature

Natalie Truby, a ’20 graduate in microbiology at NC State, stepped outside her science comfort zone to advocate for key rideshare safety legislation in North Carolina.

Watch the video

Legacy of Learning

For BioSci student Cassidy Davis and her father, NC State alumnus Hal Davis, the class ring tradition is bigger than their Wolfpack connection — it’s a family legacy.

Watch the video 
Alumni Rings
Gino Fernandes stands next to a tree with Talley Student Union in the background

Finding your Wolfpack

“Getting involved in organizations on campus, and helping other students do so as an orientation leader, really helped me find people on my wavelength. Now I love giving back to that student who’s feeling the same way I did my freshman year and helping them feel like they can thrive here.”

Read about how Spring ’21 BioSci grad Pauline Bulala found her Wolfpack through student ogranizations 
Spring 2021 BioSci graduate Dhuru Patel

NC State’s 4th Churchill Scholar Prepares for Deep Dive Into Genetics

Spring ’21 grad Nikhil Milind is going to Cambridge University to continue his studies into links between human genetics and diseases.

Read more 

Adventures Abroad

When she was accepted to start her college career with NC State in the Spring, instead of the traditional Fall start, BioSci student Allie Denton discovered the Prague study abroad program tailored to students like her.

Read more about Allie’s unique experience with the NC State Study Abroad Program 

BioSci Faculty Set the Standard for Teaching and Research

With experts in paleontology, genetics, toxicology, neuroscience, forensic morphology and many others, our faculty make major impacts on our students and the world.

Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Solutions

BioSci Associate Department Head Dr. Jane Lubischer and Associate Professor of Teaching Dr. Melissa Ramirez were part of a team who created the Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Solutions online course, which introduces incoming students to the history, biology and societal impacts of pandemics like COVID-19 and how NC State faculty in many different areas are contributing to solutions.

Read more 

Geneticist Heil Awarded $1.9M NIH Grant for Genome Evolution Research

BioSci’s Dr. Caiti Heil has received a 5-year, $1.9 million NIH grant to investigate genetic and environmental components shaping recombination rate evolution and the influence of recombination rate on genome evolution.

Read more 

A Summer in the Field with the Zanno Lab

Ever wonder what it’s like to journey into the unknown on a real life dino-dig? Check out this guest post by BioSci’s Lindsay Zanno to learn what it’s like on expedition with her team.

Read more 

Current and prospective students:

Due to campus restrictions in place due to COVID-19, our advising staff are currently working remotely, but we are here to help! Please reach out to us via email:

Stay safe and healthy!

news

Expedition Extreme:
A Summer in the Field With the Zanno Lab

Paleontologist Lindsay Zanno recounts her research team’s summer in the field. 

Geneticist Heil Awarded $1.9M NIH Grant for Genome Evolution Research

Caiti Smukowski Heil of the Department of Biological Sciences received a grant through the Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award program. 

4 Questions for NC State’s 4 Churchill Scholars

This spring, Park Scholars Nikhil Milind ’21 and Ana Sofia Uzsoy ’21 were named NC State’s third and fourth Churchill Scholars, following in the footsteps of Park alumni Mia de los Reyes ’16 and Chris Cooper ’17. The Churchill Scholarship was established to facilitate scientific exchange between the U.S. and the U.K. It sponsors graduate-level study at the University of Cambridge for 15-17 students, including full tuition, a stipend, travel costs and the chance to apply for a special research grant.