Biology is the study of life. This broad definition encompasses all levels of life, including molecules, cells, microbes, the anatomy and physiology of organisms, 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. Many of our courses offer accompanying laboratories taught by highly qualified faculty because we believe that doing science is vital. Our students are well prepared to apply this knowledge gained in the classroom and lab to their internships, where they explore professional settings first-hand. Our program promotes excellent skills in writing, communication, scientific methodology, critical thinking, and quantitative analysis which prepares them well for continuing on with their education in graduate or professional schools or for entering the workforce.
The study of biological sciences will improve your understanding of the living world of which you are a part and help you secure a scientific knowledge of the fundamental facts and concepts concerning living organisms.
This program prepares you for leadership roles in a variety of life science fields, including those related to health, whether you continue on with your education, in professional schools or other graduate programs, or decide to enter directly into the workforce.
You will join a diverse group of biology students, hailing from places as far away as Nigeria and as close by as Mocksville, North Carolina. Some students join the Biology Department because they want to be doctors. Others join because they’re passionate about environmental science or 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.
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 standardized subject tests and earning exceptionally positive reviews from the off-campus supervisors of your internships.
You will be encouraged to engage in scholarly activities outside of the classroom. Our Alpha Beta chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the biological honor society, promotes and rewards excellence among our undergraduates. Faculty and students work together to arrange professional 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.
This is an example of course requirements. Actual requirements depend on the year declared and can be found in the academic catalogs.The student who seeks the bachelor of arts degree with a major in biology must complete eleven courses, including eight biology courses. At least four of the eight biology courses required for the major (BA) must be taken at Salem.
Required Courses
BIOL 100. Cell and Molecular Biology (4 hrs)
BIOL 101. Biodiversity (4 hrs)
BIOL 205. Biometry (4 hrs) *
BIOL 210. Ecology (4 hrs)
BIOL 310. Advanced Genetics (5 hrs)
BIOL 311. Evolution (4 hrs)
BIOL 390. Senior Seminar (3 hrs)
CHEM 110. General Chemistry (5 hrs)
CHEM 120. General Chemistry with Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (5 hrs)
MATH 070. Essential Calculus or higher (4-5 hrs)
Select one additional Biology elective at or above the 100 level (3-5 hrs)
*An equivalent statistics course may be substituted for BIOL 205 with permission of the biology department chair.
This is an example of course requirements. Actual requirements depend on the year declared and can be found in the academic catalogs.The student who seeks the bachelor of science degree with a major in biology must complete a minimum of seventeen courses, including ten biology courses.
Required Courses:
BIOL 100. Cell and Molecular Biology (4 hrs)
BIOL 101. Biodiversity (4 hrs)
BIOL 205. Biometry (4 hrs)
BIOL 210. Ecology (4 hrs)
BIOL 310. Advanced Genetics (5 hrs)
BIOL 311. Evolution (4 hrs)
BIOL 390. Senior Seminar (3 hrs)
CHEM 110. General Chemistry (5 hrs)
CHEM 120. General Chemistry with Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (5 hrs)
CHEM 201. Organic Chemistry I (5 hrs)
CHEM 202. Organic Chemistry II (5 hrs)
MATH 100. Calculus I or higher (3-5 hrs)
PHYS 210. General Physics I (5 hrs)
PHYS 220. General Physics II (5 hrs)
Three Biology elective courses at or above the 100 level for a minimum of 9 hours.
At least five of the 10 biology courses required for the major (BS) must be taken at Salem.
As a student intending to be a BS biology major, you should meet with your advisor early and regularly to discuss a suggested program of study in order to remain on track for graduation within four years.
All students planning a major in biology are expected to finish their mathematics requirements by the end of their first year. Entering students who are confident in their quantitative skills are advised to take general chemistry (CHEM 110) and BIOL 100 and 101 in their first year. Students who have not had pre-calculus may consider taking CHEM 110 in their second year. BIOL 205 (or an equivalent course in statistics), 210 and 310 should be completed by the end of the junior year. The electives BIOL 235 and 218/219 are recommended for the junior or senior year. Most other electives are appropriate for students in their sophomore through senior years. BIOL 311 and 390 are capstone courses required in the senior year.
This is an example of course requirements. Actual requirements depend on the year declared and can be found in the academic catalogs.The minor in biology requires the completion of five courses:
Required Courses:
BIOL 100. Cell and Molecular Biology (4 hrs)
BIOL 101. Biodiversity (4 hrs)
BIOL 210. Ecology (4 hrs)
BIOL 310. Advanced Genetics (5 hrs)
Select one additional Biology elective at or above the 100 level (3-5 hrs)
All courses must be taken at Salem or Wake Forest. A transfer student may submit the equivalent of up to two of the following courses for credit toward the minor: BIOL 100, 101 or one biology elective.
The department of biology evaluates the performance of its seniors with key components of the curriculum. BIOL 390 (Senior Seminar) requires students to give a major presentation and paper on a current biological topic that requires an integration of the knowledge acquired in the biology core curriculum. In addition, the department requires all seniors to take a comprehensive subject exam while enrolled in BIOL 390.
College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic
Biomedical Research at the Medical College of Georgia
Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology Research, University of Chicago
Biological Engineering Research, University of Utah
Earth Systems Research Lab, University of Colorado
Wake Forest University’s Departments of Chemistry and Biology
Wake Forest Baptist Health
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Elkin
Sea Lab internship on Dauphin Island, Alabama
National Textile Center research program at NC State University
Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA
Tyson Foods in Wilkesboro - Quality Assurance Department
The study of biological sciences will improve your understanding of the living world of which you are a part and help you secure a scientific knowledge of the fundamental facts and concepts concerning living organisms.
This program prepares you for leadership roles in a variety of life science fields, including those related to health, whether you continue on with your education, in professional schools or other graduate programs, or decide to enter directly into the workforce.
You will join a diverse group of biology students, hailing from places as far away as Nigeria and as close by as Mocksville, North Carolina. Some students join the Biology Department because they want to be doctors. Others join because they’re passionate about environmental science or 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.
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 standardized subject tests and earning exceptionally positive reviews from the off-campus supervisors of your internships.
You will be encouraged to engage in scholarly activities outside of the classroom. Our Alpha Beta chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the biological honor society, promotes and rewards excellence among our undergraduates. Faculty and students work together to arrange professional 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.
This is an example of course requirements. Actual requirements depend on the year declared and can be found in the academic catalogs.The student who seeks the bachelor of arts degree with a major in biology must complete eleven courses, including eight biology courses. At least four of the eight biology courses required for the major (BA) must be taken at Salem.
Required Courses
BIOL 100. Cell and Molecular Biology (4 hrs)
BIOL 101. Biodiversity (4 hrs)
BIOL 205. Biometry (4 hrs) *
BIOL 210. Ecology (4 hrs)
BIOL 310. Advanced Genetics (5 hrs)
BIOL 311. Evolution (4 hrs)
BIOL 390. Senior Seminar (3 hrs)
CHEM 110. General Chemistry (5 hrs)
CHEM 120. General Chemistry with Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (5 hrs)
MATH 070. Essential Calculus or higher (4-5 hrs)
Select one additional Biology elective at or above the 100 level (3-5 hrs)
*An equivalent statistics course may be substituted for BIOL 205 with permission of the biology department chair.
This is an example of course requirements. Actual requirements depend on the year declared and can be found in the academic catalogs.The student who seeks the bachelor of science degree with a major in biology must complete a minimum of seventeen courses, including ten biology courses.
Required Courses:
BIOL 100. Cell and Molecular Biology (4 hrs)
BIOL 101. Biodiversity (4 hrs)
BIOL 205. Biometry (4 hrs)
BIOL 210. Ecology (4 hrs)
BIOL 310. Advanced Genetics (5 hrs)
BIOL 311. Evolution (4 hrs)
BIOL 390. Senior Seminar (3 hrs)
CHEM 110. General Chemistry (5 hrs)
CHEM 120. General Chemistry with Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (5 hrs)
CHEM 201. Organic Chemistry I (5 hrs)
CHEM 202. Organic Chemistry II (5 hrs)
MATH 100. Calculus I or higher (3-5 hrs)
PHYS 210. General Physics I (5 hrs)
PHYS 220. General Physics II (5 hrs)
Three Biology elective courses at or above the 100 level for a minimum of 9 hours.
At least five of the 10 biology courses required for the major (BS) must be taken at Salem.
As a student intending to be a BS biology major, you should meet with your advisor early and regularly to discuss a suggested program of study in order to remain on track for graduation within four years.
All students planning a major in biology are expected to finish their mathematics requirements by the end of their first year. Entering students who are confident in their quantitative skills are advised to take general chemistry (CHEM 110) and BIOL 100 and 101 in their first year. Students who have not had pre-calculus may consider taking CHEM 110 in their second year. BIOL 205 (or an equivalent course in statistics), 210 and 310 should be completed by the end of the junior year. The electives BIOL 235 and 218/219 are recommended for the junior or senior year. Most other electives are appropriate for students in their sophomore through senior years. BIOL 311 and 390 are capstone courses required in the senior year.
This is an example of course requirements. Actual requirements depend on the year declared and can be found in the academic catalogs.The minor in biology requires the completion of five courses:
Required Courses:
BIOL 100. Cell and Molecular Biology (4 hrs)
BIOL 101. Biodiversity (4 hrs)
BIOL 210. Ecology (4 hrs)
BIOL 310. Advanced Genetics (5 hrs)
Select one additional Biology elective at or above the 100 level (3-5 hrs)
All courses must be taken at Salem or Wake Forest. A transfer student may submit the equivalent of up to two of the following courses for credit toward the minor: BIOL 100, 101 or one biology elective.
The department of biology evaluates the performance of its seniors with key components of the curriculum. BIOL 390 (Senior Seminar) requires students to give a major presentation and paper on a current biological topic that requires an integration of the knowledge acquired in the biology core curriculum. In addition, the department requires all seniors to take a comprehensive subject exam while enrolled in BIOL 390.
College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic
Biomedical Research at the Medical College of Georgia
Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology Research, University of Chicago
Biological Engineering Research, University of Utah
Earth Systems Research Lab, University of Colorado
Wake Forest University’s Departments of Chemistry and Biology
Wake Forest Baptist Health
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Elkin
Sea Lab internship on Dauphin Island, Alabama
National Textile Center research program at NC State University
Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA
Tyson Foods in Wilkesboro - Quality Assurance Department
See our Academic Catalog for all of our course offerings.