You’ll find a wealth of special opportunities available to you as a member of the biology department: research, cooperative education and programs, financial aid opportunities, and more. If you’ve questions on the information below, please contact the biology department.
For Undergraduate Students:
- Undergraduate Research
- Cooperative Education and Internships
- Preprofessional Programs in Health Related Areas
- Cooperative Agreement with the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine
- Cooperative Programs with North Carolina State University
- Financial Aid & Scholarships
For Graduate Students:
Juniors and seniors are encouraged to participate in faculty-directed independent research projects carrying academic credit. The following organizations affiliated with the university provide opportunities for student research:
- Undergraduate Research/Honors College
- The Highlands Biological Station
- The U. S. Forest Service Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory
These popular programs provide biology majors with job experience, income, and professional opportunities for post-graduation employment.
Preprofessional Programs in Health Related AreasStudents who plan a career in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy or optometry can develop an academic program at Western Carolina University suited to their chosen field and to the professional school they select.
Cooperative Agreement with the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric MedicineA special agreement with the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine provides qualified students, who have followed a prescribed preparatory curriculum, the opportunity to begin the study of podiatry after three years at Western Carolina University. Upon the successful completion of the first year of study at the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, the Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology will be awarded from WCU.
Cooperative Programs with North Carolina State UniversityUnder a cooperative agreement, students who have completed a prescribed two-year study at WCU may transfer to NCSU and earn a bachelor's degree in an applied life science area, such as crop science, forest resources, agricultural engineering, and wildlife biology.