About
Explore all levels of the biological hierarchy — from microscopic molecules to vast ecosystems — as a student in App State’s Integrative Biology degree program, offered by the Department of Biology.
Through the program, you will have the opportunity to gain a broad and integrative understanding of biology, with the flexibility to investigate other complementary disciplines. The program prepares you for diverse careers and graduate programs, including successful admittance to a variety of health care programs.
Your program advisor will help you develop focus areas, or you can pursue suggested themes provided by program faculty. For these focus areas, you may take up to 12 credits in other academic departments, applying concepts learned from other fields — including the physical and social sciences — to issues addressed in the biology curriculum.
Learn more about App State's Integrative Biology program and degree focus areas
After Graduation
Employment: Students can pursue careers in a variety of biology-related positions, working for such organizations as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, North Carolina State Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pfizer, Syneos Health and more.
Graduate schools: Many graduates of App State’s undergraduate biology degree programs choose to pursue advanced degrees in the field. Examples of graduate schools students have attended include Clemson University, University of Kentucky, University of Chicago and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Related Programs
Minors
A minor is not required. However, students can pursue a minor related to their chosen focus area.
Engagement Outside the Classroom
Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society — TriBeta was established to recognize academic achievement and promote research in the biological sciences. Membership is by invitation.
Highlands Biology Club — a student club that works to advance knowledge and inspire the community, as well as open doors of opportunity for members through events involving biology while having fun.
Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors — a day held at App State where students showcase their research projects and present their results in either a performance, platform talk or poster.
Department Seminars — hosted by the Department of Biology for all biology students every Wednesday. Seminar topics range from research and animal biology and ecology, to bioengineering. See the department calendar.
Global Learning
App State is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a resilient global society.
Department of Biology faculty members have led short-term study abroad programs to Belize, Costa Rica, Zambia, South Africa, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.
Admission Requirements
There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.
Why Appalachian?
- The Integrative Biology concentration can be used as a pre-health sciences or pre-graduate school curriculum.
- The App State campus is in proximity to diverse habitats that maintain the biodiversity hotspots of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
- All biology students may apply to the Department of Biology’s honors program, which includes two research courses and an honors thesis.
- The Department of Biology offers a Master of Science in Biology.
- Students are taught by faculty with diverse research interests and expertise.
- Each year, approximately 150 undergraduate students have the opportunity to participate in graduate-level research projects with department faculty. Learn more about research and summer internship opportunities.
- The Department of Biology offers scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Research Facilities
The Department of Biology has 23 specialized research facilities, including:
- William and Ruth Dewel Microscopy Facility
- Vivarium (animal facility)
- I.W. Carpenter Jr. Herbarium
- Department of Biology Greenhouse
- Scientific Computing and Visualization Laboratory
- Appalachian State University Nature Preserve
- Robert Gilley Field Station
Location
On campus
Careers
- Animal behavior/training
- Biological illustration
- Biomimetics and robotics
- Biomechanics/Biophysics
- Biotechnology
- Botany
- Computational Biology
- Dentistry
- Ecologist
- Environmental biologist and consultant
- Forest ranger
- Geographic Information Systems
- Medicine or Public Health
- Microbiology
- Museum scientist and curator
- Neurobiology
- Paleontology
- Pharmacology/Toxicology
- Resource management and conservation
- Science and environmental education or journalism
- Zoology
View more career possibilities
Contacts
Dr. Ava Udvadia
Department Chair
udvadiaaj@appstate.edu
828-262-6511