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Undergraduate Programs

Biology & Marine Biology

If you want to major in Biology or Marine Biology, UNCW has excellent curricula and student resources. Read on to learn about our requirements and expectations.

Admission Requirements for Biology and Marine Biology Majors

  1. Completion of 24 semester hours of credit with at least a 2.0 overall grade point average from an accredited four year university or college; or an associate's degree from an accredited two year college.
  2. Completion of BIO 201 (Principles of Biology: Cells) and 202 (Principles of Biology: Biodiversity), or equivalent courses with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in both courses.

Looking for the requirements for Biology and Marine Biology degrees? Our current catalog provides a list of our degree programs, options for areas of specialization, and the course offerings and requirements for each degree.

Note: You are not able to double major in Biology & Marine Biology or major in one and minor in the other.

Current and previous UNCW catalogs

Thinking about majoring in Biology or Marine Biology? Take a look at our Prospective Students page for more information about transferring credits, careers in Biology and Marine Biology, studying abroad/global experiences, and other opportunities for our students!

Prospective Students

 

Undergraduate Advising

Department of Biology & Marine Biology

Academic Advising Coordinator: Shea Huse

Academic Advisor: Beth Doyle

Pre-Health/Pre-Med Advisor: Dr. Arthur Frampton

Pre-Veterinary Advisor: Dr. Carolina Priester

Advising webpage

Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes

  • Learning Outcome #1: Students should have the ability to demonstrate a fundamental level of academic competence in core biological content and issue knowledge. (Foundational Knowledge)
  • Learning Outcome #2: Students should be able to present biological information orally. (Foundational Knowledge, Thoughtful Expression)
  • Learning Outcome #3: Students should be able to competently critique biological literature. (Critical Thinking, Foundational Knowledge, Information Literacy)
  • Learning Outcome #4: Students should be able to utilize biological literature to examine scientific questions. (Critical Thinking, Foundational Knowledge, Information Literacy)
  • Learning Outcome #5: Students should have the ability to demonstrate competence in biological writing. (Foundational Knowledge, Thoughtful Expression)
  • Learning Outcome #6: A student should have the ability to understand basic biological experimental design and quantitative methods. (Critical Thinking, Foundational Knowledge)
  • Learning Outcome #7: A student should have the ability to apply biological knowledge to current topics. (Critical Thinking, Foundational Knowledge, Information Literacy, Thoughtful Expression)

Scholarships & Awards

Navigating the UNCW Scholarship Application & Deadlines

To apply for scholarships at UNCW, applicants must be an admitted student for the upcoming academic term with access to the SeaNet student portal. A complete list of scholarships can be located on the Office of University Advancement website.

For consideration of scholarships within the Biology and Marine Biology Department, students must submit their application by March 1 to be reviewed by the Biology and Marine Biology Departmental Scholarship Committee.

To apply, students must at least complete the specific section of the application containing the Biology and Marine Biology Scholarship submission questions. If a student wants to be considered for all scholarships university wide they must also complete the entire general application.

For specific questions regarding scholarships in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology, please contact Dr. Carolina Priester.

Apply for a scholarship

Undergraduate Programs

Biology, B.A. The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at UNCW strives to prepare all students to make sound judgments based on a solid foundation of biological principles. Learn More
Biology, B.S. The B.S. Biology degree provides the background needed for further education in graduate or professional schools as well as jobs at the baccalaureate level. Learn More
Marine Biology, B.S. Our goal is to train the next generation of scientists and educators and prepare you to make sound judgments based on a solid foundation of biological principles. Explore Now

Minor Programs

Biology, Minor A minor in biology can lend diversity to your educational background, prepare you with foundational knowledge for further studies in life science, or provide you an enhanced appreciation and understanding of the world around you. Learn More
Marine Biology, Minor The minor is designed for students interested in courses that highlight environments and issues that are unique to a coastal university. Take a deep dive to learn more about ecosystems or relevant topics such as climate change and ocean acidification. Explore Now
Neuroscience, Minor Our program brings together the study of brain behavior and cognition. Its interdisciplinary nature allows you to master the fundamentals of the field using traditional classrooms and applied learning experiences. You will gain the knowledge needed to further your study or seek careers in cognitive science, human development and other emerging disciplines. Learn More

Honors

Upperclassmen who qualify as candidates for departmental honors must perform outstanding scholarly work appropriate to the academic standards of the student's major in the form of a six-credit Departmental Honors project.

A student who fulfills requirements for departmental honors will be acknowledged as having done so upon graduation.

A student who previously has not participated in the honors program may qualify as a candidate for departmental honors based on the student's grade-point average.

Students with at least 74 semester hours credit who have a grade point average of 3.20 or better on all college work attempted, who have completed at least 30 semester hours of work with a 3.20 or better grade point average at UNCW, and who are recommended by the major department chair (or dean where appropriate) are eligible to enroll in coursework with a 499 designation which indicates the senior project in that discipline.

Academic departments may require a higher grade point average for eligibility for Departmental Honors in their discipline.

Departments in each discipline determine appropriate preparatory academic experiences for Departmental Honors in that field. Candidates for Departmental Honors may fulfill preparation for senior capstone work beginning in the junior year through one or more of the following:

  1. Directed Individual Study (DIS) courses, which lay the groundwork for more advanced projects.
  2. Departmental or interdisciplinary seminars and/or internships which encourage independent work in a variety of ways such as performance, research or service.
  3. Study Abroad and/or National Student Exchange.
  4. Honors components of regular department courses: "Honors Contract" courses at the 300 or 400 level in which an honors student and his or her instructor enter into a contract which stipulates enhanced academic responsibilities for the student, such as presentations or papers. Successful performance in such classes would be identified by an "Honors" label on the course as it appears in the student's transcript.

The departmental honors project culminates in independent study under the supervision of a faculty member in the student's major field.

This independent study must be completed in two three-credit hour semesters or three two-credit hour semesters. The results of the honors work are summarized in a paper and presented orally before an examining committee.

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