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.

Goodnight Spotlight: Mya McDowell

Goodnight Scholar Mya McDowell doesn’t believe in coincidences. Mya’s motto of “what’s for you will find you,” has followed her from the way she discovered her invitation to apply to the Goodnight Scholars Program to now, only one year away from NC State graduation. Read more.

Dhuru Patel portrait in graduation gown — 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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Life Sciences First Year (LSFY) Students: LifeSciencesFY@ncsu.edu
For all other advising questions: BioAdvising@ncsu.edu
General Student Services inquiries: BioSciHelp@ncsu.edu

Stay safe and healthy!

Goodnight Spotlight: Gaven Bell

Gaven Bell’s extensive involvement within the NC State community began even before she stepped on campus as a freshman, as she participated in research with Dr. David Tarpy in the NC State Apiculture Lab during her senior year in high school. Now only one year away from graduation, she reflects on highlights of her college experience, which have included writing an award-winning play for the NC State Theatre, having mentors and role models in the STEM field who are women, and vast involvement within the Goodnight Scholars Program.

Distinguished Goodnight Award Recipients for 2022 Announced

The Distinguished Goodnight Award is presented at the end of the academic year to a graduating Goodnight Scholar from each cohort who best embodied the core values and mission of the Goodnight Scholars Program. This year, Vie Villafuerte ‘T22 and Lacey Malinsky ’22 were named the recipients of this prestigious community award.

Researchers Examine How Environmental Contaminants Affect Diverse Populations

Cathrine Hoyo is leading a wide-ranging study to learn how environmental contaminants affect liver health in diverse populations.