
Biology
The underlying mechanisms that control life on earth are only now being revealed. Clearly, great discoveries await and the next generation of life scientists need training in a diverse set of disciplines to tackle these pending discoveries. Students require interdisciplinary training in both fundamental and applied approaches to problem-solving so that they may understand how life functions, behaves, interacts and evolves.
The guiding principle of the Biology graduate program is that by integrating training across multiple disciplines, we can gain deeper insights into challenging problems such as how life functions and adapts to changing physical and social environments and how diseases develop. Our goal is to prepare our graduate students to be world-class scientists and leaders, unafraid of tackling the most significant scientific challenges of our era.
Advanced Degrees Offered
Master of Science
Students in the M.S. program participate in courses, seminars and research planned in conjunction with the student’s advisor and advisory committee.
Master of Biology
This non-thesis option consists primarily of coursework and helps prepare students for positions in science education or professional programs.
Doctorate
Students in the Ph.D. program participate in courses, seminars and research planned in conjunction with the student’s advisor and advisory committee.
Application Details
Application Deadlines
- Fall: Jan 15
- Spring: Nov 25
Visit the Graduate School website for more information on priority deadlines for US and International students.
Apply Now
View complete details on how to complete the online graduate school application.
START YOUR APPLICATIONMentor Selection
All interested applicants should identify a potential faculty adviser prior to submitting an application. To learn more about the faculty advisers who mentor biology graduate students, please see the list of faculty members on this page.
Prospective students are encouraged to explore faculty websites and contact faculty members with whom they share similar research interests.

Lindsay Zanno
Assistant Research Professor & Head of Paleontology, NC Museum of Nat Sci
lezanno@ncsu.edu
919-707-8289