Biology is the study of life.  This broad definition encompasses many different independent disciplines from the study of cells and molecular biology to the study of communities and evolutionary biology. We provide our students with a solid foundation of all the fundamental fields in biology producing well-rounded scientists grounded in the liberal arts.  We believe that doing science is vital to learning and to loving science.  Most of our courses have accompanying laboratories with onsite faculty right there with the students using up-to-date equipment in state of the art laboratories.  Our students are well prepared to take this knowledge gained in the classroom to their internships where they gain real world experience.  When our students graduate we expect them to have excellent quantitative skills, writing and communication skills, and skills in scientific methodology, critical thinking and analysis which prepares them well for continuing on with their education in graduate or professional schools or entering the workforce.

Your Program 

There are three degrees possible within the Biology department:

• The Biology Major (B.S.) 
  To complete the B.S. degree you will take at least 10 biology courses, six physical science courses and two mathematics courses in addition to an abridged liberal-arts curriculum. When you graduate, you'll be equipped for graduate or professional school.
• The Biology Major (B.A.)  
  To complete the B.A. degree in Biology you will take at least nine biology courses, two chemistry courses and calculus, if needed, in addition to a more expanded liberal-arts curriculum than for the B.S. When you graduate you'll be  equipped for graduate or professional school.
• The Medical Technology Major (B.S.)  
  To complete the med technology degree you will take three years at Salem College and one year in the medical technology program at Wake Forest University (based upon your acceptance). You will graduate prepared to take a national certifying exam in medical technology. 

Your Commitment

You will join a diverse group of biology students, hailing from places as faraway as Nepal and as close by as Mocksville, NC. Some students join the biology department because they want to be doctors. Others join because they're passionate about environmental science and evolution. Still others become involved because they're interested in medical technology. Whatever reason you have for joining the department, you will share with your peers a set of academic goals: to engage in scientific research, to work closely with faculty who share your passion for science and to make a difference in their world, wherever you live. It's this kind of drive and enthusiasm for science that we invite you to experience at Salem.

Your Faculty 

The diverse interests of the biology faculty provide you with a rigorous, well-rounded program of biological sciences.  The high caliber of the biology program courses means that you are likely to join other Salem students in performing well above average on the standardized Biology Major Field Test and earning exceptionally positive reviews from the off-campus supervisors of your internships. 

Your Experience

You will be encouraged to engage in scholarly activities outside the classroom. Our Alpha Beta chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the biological honor society, promotes and rewards excellence among our undergraduates.  Top-performing biology students have consistently been active participants of the Lehman Scholars program.  Faculty and students work together to arrange professional January Term and summer internships in which you will experience first-hand a job or research opportunity of interest to you.  Although Salem College requires only one professional internship for completion of a bachelor's degree, you may choose, as do many biology students, to take part in multiple internships during your time here. When you graduate, you will have excellent quantitative skills, writing and communication skills and skills in scientific methodology, critical thinking and analysis, all of which will prepare you well for continuing on with your education in graduate or professional schools or enter the workforce.