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Biology (BS)

Program Code: U-BIO-BS
Degree Designation: Bachelor of Science
Department: Biology Department
Website: biology.duke.edu/undergraduate/majors-minor/major-requirements

Program Summary

The Department of Biology offers a major and minor and biology courses in a variety of areas. Additional courses in the biological sciences are offered by the departments of evolutionary anthropology, chemistry, and psychology and neuroscience in Trinity College of Arts & Sciences; by the basic sciences departments in the School of Medicine; and by the Pratt School of Engineering and the Nicholas School of the Environment. 

The bachelor of arts and the bachelor of science degrees are offered with a major in biology or in an individually designed interdepartmental concentration approved by the director of undergraduate studies in biology. Information may be obtained in the office of the director of undergraduate studies.

This is typically the program in biology for students contemplating a career in biological or biomedical sciences and health professions.

Go to Programs by Department to view all related programs.

Academic Requirements

At least 10 units total to complete the major. At least 34 units total to earn a degree.

  • Co-requisites (5-7 units)

    • Chemistry: CHEM 201DL and at least 1 of CHEM 101DL, CHEM 110DL, or CHEM 21

    • Math I: at least 1 of MATH 105L & 106L, MATH 111L, MATH 121, MATH 21

    • Math II or Statistics: at least 1 of MATH 112L, MATH 122L, or MATH 22, or any STA course 101 or above, or PSY 204L & 205L

    • Physics: at least 1 of PHYSICS 107L, PHYSICS 108L, PHYSICS 121DL, PHYSICS 122DL, PHYSICS 141L, PHYSICS 142L, PHYSICS 151L, PHYSICS 161D, PHYSICS 25, or PHYSICS 26

  • Gateway (2 units)

    • BIOLOGY 201L

    • BIOLOGY 202L

  • Area Courses (3 units)

    • Must include at least 1 course in each area: Biological Structure and Function, Ecology, and Organismal Diversity.

    • A comprehensive list of courses is available to students in the degree audit system.

  • Electives (5 units)

    • Must include at least 2 courses with an approved lab component; one independent study may count toward this requirement.

    • Must include at least one capstone course at the 400-level or above.

    • A comprehensive list of elective courses is available to students in the degree audit system.

  • Concentrations

Areas of Concentration

Students may elect to complete requirements in specified areas of concentration. Currently, available areas of concentration in the biology major are anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics; animal behavior; biochemistry; cell and molecular biology; ecology; evolutionary biology; genetics; genomics; marine biology; neurobiology; pharmacology; and plant biology. For information on areas of concentration see the area advisor for the relevant concentration.

Departmental Graduation with Distinction

Biology majors who achieve excellence in both their studies and a research-based thesis may apply for Graduation with Distinction in biology. Students may apply if they have a grade point average of 3.0 or above in biology courses, not including independent study, at the time of application. The award of distinction requires the maintenance of this grade point average and completion of an original research project, usually carried out as an independent study in biology or as an interdisciplinary study that focuses on biology. The application for distinction must be endorsed by the student’s research supervisor. Distinction will be awarded by a three-member faculty committee based on an oral poster presentation and the written thesis. See the director of undergraduate studies for more details.

Bulletin Links

2025-2026 Undergraduate Instruction Bulletin. Download PDF here.