A Few Frequently Asked Questions by Biology Students:

What classes do I need to get a Biology degree?
What is the difference between a BA and a BS?
What are some careers that I might consider with a Biology degree?

Our Biology website is really good yet often OVERLOOKED! Of special interest, the BIOLOGY MAJORS MANUAL at the top/center of this website! http://www.bio.unc.edu/Undergraduate/

Who can I talk to about careers in Biology and what courses I should take?
We have a special professor/advisor for this purpose: Elaine Yeh. Email her to make an appointment: yeh@email.unc.edu

Do I have to be a biology major to go to medical school or dental school? What classes do I need?
No you do not need to be any particular major—but there are some classes you must take: Have you been to the website and office of the pre-health advisors?
http://prehealthadvising.unc.edu/

I want to get involved in a research lab on campus but how do I begin?

1) You have to FIND a lab: search department websites on your own, look for flyers around science buildings, or see the Office of Undergraduate Research OUR) website. (The OUR website has a database of labs that have projects in which undergraduates can participate. Search by keywords such as "cancer" or " stem cells" etc.) http://www.unc.edu/depts/our/index.html

2) APPROACH the "P.I." (principal investigator); this person is a PhD or MD or runs the lab

3) ASK/APPLY for a position (via email with a resume or, more likely, by walking over to the lab). Impress them like you would do for any job interview. Address these questions:  Why do you want to do research? What do you want to do it in their lab? What are your strengths?

To get Biol 395 credit for your research, you need to have completed Biol 202. Want to get credit in a lab that is not in the Biol Department and is part of the School of Medicine or Dentistry? You can do that too, but you will need a Biol faculty "sponsor". All your Biol 395 questions are answered here:
http://www.bio.unc.edu/Undergraduate/research.htm

I think I might want to be a high school Biology teacher, is there a program for that?
Yes! It is called the UNC BEST program.
http://www.unc.edu/uncbest/about.html

I heard that Biology majors and “pre-med” students cannot study abroad. Is that true?
Absolutely NOT! There are both summer programs (such as organic  chemistry in Spain) as well as semester and year long programs. You need to plan it out well, but it is an excellent opportunity that should not be missed.  Talk with your academic advisors and the pre-health advisors and of course, with study abroad for various programs.