Biology Department

Biology students researching a stream

Interested in studying genetics, physiology, and ecology? Want a career in medicine, molecular biology, or conservation? Western Carolina University's Department of Biology provides the ideal environment to train you for these and other careers in biology.

Teaching and research drive the Department of Biology. Our interactive undergraduate programs, across multiple options of concentrations, and our graduate programs are founded on our faculty’s rich tradition of teaching and will prepare you for a successful and fulfilling career. You may also choose to earn credits toward both a B.S. and M.S. degree through our Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's (ABM) concentrations , or you may even decide to pursue a minor in Biology instead. Shape your degree around your goals.

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Undergraduate Program

Studying biology at Western Carolina University includes a program of discovery in genetics, physiology, and ecology... and that's just the beginning!

Graduate Program

Our inclusive curriculum prepares you to succeed at the next level of your career, whether that's working in an environmental testing lab, a biomedical research lab, the US Fish and Wildlife, or as a teacher. Discover which program fits your skills and interests.

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Research and Facilities

Learn what areas of research the department is exploring and see the advanced research facilities and equipment available to faculty and students.

Student Resources

Concentration Checklists

Cell and Molecular Biology Checklist Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology Checklist Pre-Health Professional Biology Checklist Biology Minor

Meet the Faculty and Staff

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Donate to Biology!

Annual Native Plant Conference

A woman wearing a green rain jacket and a green baseball cap examines a flower bud in her hand.

Offering connections between landscape architects, commercial nursery operators, botanists, and more, the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference cultivates an environment where attendees from a variety of backgrounds and across all levels of expertise can learn about the preservation of native southeastern plant species. The conference's nature-driven field trips, workshops, presentations, and more provide forums for discussion that lie at the intersection of ecological philosophy, horticulture, landscape design and installation, gardening methods, and ecological investigation. Through knowledge and networking, attendees are positioned to advance dialogue and cooperation to create meaningful change.

Learn More

Recent Books by Members of our Faculty

Dr. Barbara Ballentine	Bird Talk: An Exploration of Avian Communication
Dr. Jeremy Hyman	Bird Talk: An Exploration of Avian Communication
Dr. Beverly Collins	Fire Ecology and Management: Past, Present, and Future of US Forested Ecosystems
Dr. James T. Costa	An Alfred Russel Wallace Companion
Dr. Jeremy Hyman	Bird Brains: The Wild & Wacky World of Birds
Dr. James T. Costa	Darwin's Backyard: How Small Experiments Led to a Big Theory
Dr. Beverly Collins	Natural Disturbances and Historic Range of Variation
Dr. Beverly Collins	Sustaining Young Forest Communities