U-BIO-BS - Biology (BS)

The biology major and minor and biology courses in a variety of areas are offered by the Department of Biology. Additional courses in the biological sciences are offered by the departments of evolutionary anthropology, chemistry, and psychology 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 the program in biology for students contemplating a career in biological or biomedical sciences.

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 includes 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.

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 director of undergraduate studies.

Website: biology.duke.edu/undergraduate/majors-minor/major-requirements