Biological Sciences
Biological sciences is a comprehensive field of biology that prepares students for a variety of careers. Growing human populations and the increasing impacts associated with human activities and heightened expectations of health and environmental quality are resulting in new career opportunities in the Biological Sciences. These fields are growing, and our students finish their degrees well prepared to excel in these careers. The program provides firsthand experience in biological research and focuses on student experience and interests. This represents an exciting, rewarding area of sciences, which requires an especially strong academic background and an ability to think both analytically and comprehensively.
Career Opportunities
This option provides an excellent foundation for a variety of careers. Our students continue on for careers as medical doctors, optometrists, dentists, genetic counselors, state and federal wildlife biologists, naturalists, wildlife rehabilitators, directors of zoological parks, conservation biologists, environmental consultants, teachers and researchers. It also leaves a student well-prepared to continue into graduate degree programs that require a solid background in the biological sciences. In fact, most professional scientists can anticipate graduate education as being essential for career advancement.
High School Preparation
High school students should take year-long courses in biology, chemistry, physics, algebra, advanced algebra, geometry and trigonometry. If available, an advanced science course and pre-calculus are encouraged. There should be an above-average performance in such course work, as well as in the student's overall high school program. An ACT composite score of 24 or higher also is suggested.
The Program
With its many areas of emphasis, the program integrates studies in zoology, botany, and biological sciences and offers students the flexibility to customize their field of study to align course selection with educational and professional goals. The program integrates broad-based biology foundation classes with specializations, such as biomedical science or conservation biology in later years. With appropriate course selection, the biological sciences degree also can provide a broad understanding of the complex relationship between the living and nonliving world. Students will be able to choose a research-based course in biology that focuses on antibiotics, wildlife ecology and conservation, STEM education, or genomics. Students planning to enter a health-professional program, such as medical school, should refer to the plan of study for pre-professional programs.
Related Experiences
Career opportunities are enhanced by work experiences and extra-curricular involvement. Part-time, science-related work experiences are available in several North Dakota State University departments, as well as at the nearby U.S. Department of Agriculture laboratories. Off-campus work, such as summer employment with public agencies or private organizations, is especially valuable and has sometimes been the entry point for a first permanent position after graduation. NDSU offers many extra-curricular activities, including science-related organizations such as the Natural Resources Management Club, the Pre-Med Club, the Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society and the Range Science Club.
Accelerated Program
The Department of Biological Sciences now offers an Accelerated Bachelor and Master of Science program. The program allows students to begin thesis research during their junior year and simultaneously pursue their Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in biological sciences. Students will work closely with a faculty member in our department who will serve as a mentor. The program is designed to produce a research-based master’s degree. Students must be at junior standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
Options Available
A Biological Sciences degree is available in a traditional broad-based sequence or in an environmental science option. There are also minors available in biological sciences, zoology, and botany.
Biological Sciences - Pre-Professional School Plan of Study – visit ndsu.edu/bulletin
Biological Sciences - Standard Plan of Study
Please note this is a sample plan of study and not an official curriculum. Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress and customize an individual plan of study.
First Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIOL 189 Skills for Academic Success | 1 | BIOL 151 & 151L General Biology II and General Biology II Laboratory | 4 |
BIOL 150 & 150L General Biology I and General Biology I Laboratory | 4 | CHEM 122 & 122L General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
CHEM 121 & 121L General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 | ENGL 120 College Composition II | 3 |
ENGL 110 College Composition I | 4 | 4 | |
MATH 103 College Algebra | 3 |
| |
| 16 |
| 15 |
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
3 | BIOL 252 Plant and Animal Diversity | 3 | |
BIOL 270, 271, or 272 Antibiotic Drug Discovery, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation: An Undergraduate Research Course, or Research Experience: Learning in Biology | 4 | PHYS 120 or 211 and 211L and 212 and 212L Fundamentals of Physics or College Physics I and College Physics I Laboratory and College Physics II and College Physics II Laboratory and College Physics II and College Physics II Laboratory | 3 |
CHEM 240, 341 and 341L, or 342 and 342L Survey of Organic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory or Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 3-4 | BIOL 364 or BIOL 370 General Ecology or Cell Biology | 3 |
COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 | Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
Gen Ed Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 | Gen Ed Wellness | 2 |
| 16-17 |
| 14 |
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIOL 300-400 Elective | 3 | BIOL 300-400 Elective | 3 |
BIOL 359 Evolution | 3 | Free Elective | 9 |
ENGL 324 Writing in the Sciences | 3 | Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Science/Gen Ed Global Perspectives | 3 |
Free Elective | 3 |
| |
Gen Ed Humanities & Fine Arts/Gen Ed Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| |
| 15 |
| 15 |
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIOL 300-400 Elective | 6 | BIOL 491 Seminar | 2-5 |
Free Elective | 9 | BIOL 300-400 Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 9 | |
| 15 |
| 14-17 |
Total Credits: 120-124 | |||
View NDSU equivalencies of transfer courses at: www.ndsu.edu/transfer/equivalencies
Stevens Hall
Room 201B
Stevens Hall is located on the corner of Centennial Boulevard and Bolley Drive
(Campus Map)
Contact Information
Biological Sciences
NDSU Dept 2715,
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
DEPT PHONE: (701) 231-7087
DEPT WEBSITE: www.ndsu.edu/biology
Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept #5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Tel: (701) 231-8643 / Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/
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