Our exclusive partnerships provide pathways to professional schools. These often include scholarships and guaranteed seats at some of the most competitive graduate school programs. A Biology degree is a great place to start if you want to pursue a career in medicine, pharmacy, dental or veterinary medicine — just to name a few!
Department of Biology
UNC Pembroke Biology offers engaging undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare students for careers in the life sciences or for advanced study. With majors in Biology, Environmental Science and undergraduate and graduate Science Education, students explore topics from molecular biology to ecology while gaining hands-on experience in the lab, the field and through research. Small class sizes, faculty mentorship and scholarship opportunities help students connect learning with real-world impact.
Opportunities
Degrees
UNCP Biology offers a variety of biology-related degree paths designed to prepare students for careers in research, healthcare, education, environmental science and more. Whether you're interested in molecular biology, ecology or pre-professional tracks like pre-med or pre-vet, our programs provide a strong foundation in the life sciences.
Undergraduate programs include a variety of minors as well as the BS in Biology with nine areas of focus, the BS in Environmental Science and Science Education.
Our graduate program offers a comprehensive science teaching degree at the initial level (MAT) or at the advanced level (MA). Students in the MA degree program can earn the community college credential in Biology or Chemistry.
Research
At UNC Pembroke, biology students don’t just study science — they actively participate in it. Our department offers a wide range of hands-on research opportunities that prepare students for graduate programs, medical and professional schools and impactful careers in biology and beyond. Through faculty-mentored projects like the BIO 4990 Directed Research course, opportunities in the BioTech Center and programs such as PURC, students engage in meaningful, real-world investigations both in the lab and in the field.
Whether you're studying the molecular biology of Alzheimer’s disease, completing an ecology internship in local wetlands, or contributing to innovative science education research, you'll be immersed in a collaborative research culture built on mentorship, inquiry and discovery.
Let Biology Lead You
To a Career in Healthcare
Grow Your Future in Biology and Agriculture
Discover the Biology with Agricultural Science Emphasis at UNC Pembroke — a unique blend of foundational biology and hands-on agricultural
practice that prepares you for careers in environmental science, sustainable agriculture,
biotechnology and beyond.
Rooted in courses ranging from plant and animal science to soils, pest management and sustainable practices, this program empowers you to tailor your degree around your interests in agriculture, biology or both. Through real-world partnerships with regional producers and engaged faculty research, you’ll gain practical skills and scientific insight that connect classroom learning directly to your career goals and the health of our communities.
Learn More
Rooted in courses ranging from plant and animal science to soils, pest management and sustainable practices, this program empowers you to tailor your degree around your interests in agriculture, biology or both. Through real-world partnerships with regional producers and engaged faculty research, you’ll gain practical skills and scientific insight that connect classroom learning directly to your career goals and the health of our communities.
Where Sustainability Meets Science
Discover the UNCP Campus Garden & Apiary — an immersive, outdoor learning environment
where science, sustainability and community come together. This vibrant space gives
biology students the chance to explore food systems, soil science, pollinator research
and environmental stewardship through hands-on projects and faculty-led initiatives.
Whether you're studying plant biology, supporting local outreach or gaining field
experience, the garden and apiary offer a powerful extension of the classroom and
a meaningful connection to the natural world.
Biology in Bloom
Discover the James B. Ebert Memorial Wildflower Garden — a living lab where biology
comes to life. This vibrant space showcases native plant species and offers students
hands-on opportunities to study ecology, conservation and the natural world just steps
from campus.
Visit the Garden
Explore the Region’s Botanical History
The UNCP Herbarium is home to more than 16,000 preserved plant specimens and serves as a vital resource for research, education and conservation. Focused on the rich plant life of southeastern North Carolina and surrounding areas, the herbarium supports student learning, faculty research and regional biodiversity studies. It’s also open to visitors—including educators and researchers by appointment — offering a unique opportunity to engage with the natural world through hands-on exploration and scientific discovery.
Learn from Experts.
Lead in Discovery.
When you study biology at UNC Pembroke, you’re learning from faculty who are not only passionate educators, but also active researchers and experts in their fields. Our professors are leading studies that span the full spectrum of biological sciences, from molecular and environmental biology to plant, animal and human systems.
Students in Action
Field labs and summer research interns visit Nature Preserves
Students dissect a heart in Dr. Silvia Smith's biology class
Bryan Sales mentors students in agricultural research
Student presenting at Pembroke Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium
Marine Biology students study abroad in Bermuda
Student Awards
Each year, the Department of Biology bestows scholarships and awards to several of its most
outstanding students. To apply for awards, go to Brave Assist (student scholarship portal). Brave Assist accepts applications from December 1 to February 28 for the upcoming academic year. Some awards, such as the Biology Faculty Award, are bestowed based on faculty nominations
of outstanding students and applications are not required.
View Student Awards
After UNCP
I am blessed to be a part of the Maynor G. Honor’s college and the NSF COMPASS-2 program. I had the pleasure of presenting my mosquito surveillance research at the 2025 NCAS Conference at Fayetteville State University and at UNC Pembroke’s 2025 PURC Symposium! It’s always a great experience sharing your research with other students who are just as passionate as you are about science.
Kayla Patrick
Senior, UNCP BiologyCommon Careers
Biology at UNC Pembroke is more than a major—it’s a pathway to high-impact careers across science, health, education and the environment. Our program equips students with the knowledge, lab skills and critical thinking needed to solve real-world problems and thrive in a wide range of professional and academic fields.
- Research Scientist
-
Environmental Scientist
-
Biomedical Research Assistant
-
Wildlife Biologist
-
Medical Technologist
-
Conservation Biologist
-
Healthcare Administrator
-
Biotechnology Researcher
-
Physician, Dentist or Veterinarian (with advanced study)
Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is a national honor society for students, particularly undergraduates,
dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and
extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding
in 1922, more than 200,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and
more than 430 chapters have been established throughout the United States and Puerto
Rico. Questions about membership can be addressed to Dr. Amber Rock, Faculty Sponsor of
UNCP's Psi Lambda Chapter of TriBeta. The local chapter was adopted as a result of
a student effort led by Biology major, Susan Severson. The Biology Club is open to UNCP students who have a genuine interest in the natural
sciences. Students who join are typically Biology majors, but a major in Biology is
not a prerequisite. Club members participate in various field trips, roadside cleanups,
fund-raising activities and charitable causes, such as volunteer work at the Carnivore
Preservation Trust. Past field trips include: kayak/canoe trips to Huggins Island
and on the Lumber River, visiting the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, visiting Alligator
Adventure, and camping at Cheraw State Park. The Club has membership in the North
Carolina Academy of Science. Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is a national honor society for students, particularly undergraduates,
dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and
extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding
in 1922, more than 200,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and
more than 430 chapters have been established throughout the United States and Puerto
Rico. Questions about membership can be addressed to Dr. Amber Rock, Faculty Sponsor of
UNCP's Psi Lambda Chapter of TriBeta. The local chapter was adopted as a result of
a student effort led by Biology major, Susan Severson. The Biology Club is open to UNCP students who have a genuine interest in the natural
sciences. Students who join are typically Biology majors, but a major in Biology is
not a prerequisite. Club members participate in various field trips, roadside cleanups,
fund-raising activities and charitable causes, such as volunteer work at the Carnivore
Preservation Trust. Past field trips include: kayak/canoe trips to Huggins Island
and on the Lumber River, visiting the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, visiting Alligator
Adventure, and camping at Cheraw State Park. The Club has membership in the North
Carolina Academy of Science.
Clubs & Societies
Learn More
The Science Education Club is a professional organization open to all UNCP students
who are interested in science education and teaching at any level (pre K- college).
Club members can become affiliated with regional and national professional organizations
such as the North Carolina Science Teachers Association (NCSTA), the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), and/or the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT). Activities include participating and/or presenting at regional and national conferences,
guest speakers and workshops, field trips to natural areas, and benefits of the national
organizations such as journals and online teaching resources. For more information
and science education teaching resources, click the link below. Dr. Rita Hagevik is the Club’s Faculty Sponsor and Prof. Mary Ash and Dr. Brian Postek are the Club’s Co-sponsors.Learn More
Learn More
The Science Education Club is a professional organization open to all UNCP students
who are interested in science education and teaching at any level (pre K- college).
Club members can become affiliated with regional and national professional organizations
such as the North Carolina Science Teachers Association (NCSTA), the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), and/or the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT). Activities include participating and/or presenting at regional and national conferences,
guest speakers and workshops, field trips to natural areas, and benefits of the national
organizations such as journals and online teaching resources. For more information
and science education teaching resources, click the link below. Dr. Rita Hagevik is the Club’s Faculty Sponsor and Prof. Mary Ash and Dr. Brian Postek are the Club’s Co-sponsors.Learn More
Department Chair
Our Faculty & Staff
Connect With Us
Oxendine Science Building, Room 2101
PO Box 1510
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372
Phone: 910.521.6245
Fax: 910.522.5754
Latest News
Jul 31
UNC Pembroke’s OPTIMISE Program Receives $2.3 Million Grant Renewal to Expand Rural Behavioral Health Workforce
The Department of Social Work at UNC Pembroke has secured a four-year, $2.3 million federal grant renewal to continue and expand the OPTIMISE program. The program trains graduate students to serve in integrated behavioral healthcare settings across rural North Carolina. The award comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program.
Jul 25
UNC Pembroke Computer Science Student Earns NASA Recognition for Cybersecurity Discovery
NASA recently recognized a UNC Pembroke computer science student for his exceptional cybersecurity skills. Shirsendu Mondal received a formal letter of appreciation from the agency's Vulnerability Disclosure Program for identifying and responsibly reporting a security vulnerability in one of NASA's digital systems.
Jul 9
Professor James Hudson Named 2025–26 Faculty Fellow with Carolina Asia Center, UNC Institute
Dr. James Hudson, associate professor of history at UNC Pembroke, has been selected as a Minority-Serving Institutions Faculty Fellow for the 2025-26 academic year. The fellowship, a joint initiative of the Carolina Asia Center and the Institute for the Arts and Humanities at UNC Chapel Hill, supports faculty at minority-serving institutions pursuing research related to Asia.