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College of Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences

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.

Bruce Schulte Named Head of Biological Sciences

Bruce Schulte, a prominent biologist and higher education administrator, has been named head of the Department of Biological Sciences, effective Aug. 1. Schulte will join NC State from Western Kentucky University, where he has been serving as associate vice president for strategy, performance and accountability and university distinguished professor for the past five years.

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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.

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Upcoming Events

All Events
Aug 19

Monday8:00 AM

First Day of Classes- Fall 2024
Aug 20

Tuesday4:00 PM

Toxicology Seminar
Sep 02

Monday11:00 AM

No Classes- Labor Day

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

Campus gateway sign reading NC State University

July 25, 2024

Array Pinpoints Imprinted Genes with Potential Links to Disease

New array is a cost-effective, efficient method for exploring links between environmental exposures and genes.

July 22, 2024

Nanoscopic Imaging Aids in Understanding Protein, Tissue Preservation in Ancient Bones

Nanoscopic 3D imaging could be a shortcut for picking fossils most likely to preserve proteins or DNA.

July 09, 2024

Life Underground Suited New Dinosaur Fine

A new dinosaur, Fona herzogae, probably lived underground.

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.

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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.

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Cathrine Hoyo stands in her lab in front of a shelf filled with lab equipment.

Early interventions to prevent Alzheimer’s

Goodnight Innovation Distinguished Chair Cathrine Hoyo is a co-corresponding author of new research that has found that environmentally caused alterations to specific areas of the genome – known as imprint control regions – during early development may contribute to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Learn more about how the researchers hope the work could lead to testing and targeted early interventions to prevent Alzheimer’s.

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Current and prospective students: