Graduates of High Point University’s Biology program are accepted into numerous graduate programs every year. Our graduates are able to use the knowledge obtained at High Point University to excel in the medical field, become physician assistants, veterinarians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and chiropractors. Our graduates have continued their education at prestigious institutions, including:

Featured Graduate Profiles:

Jimmy Rager, ’16 –  Immunogenetic Technologist for Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

“High Point University has been amazing in helping me achieve me goals. From the very beginning, I have had support in the classroom and that really solidified what I wanted to do in life.”

Hillary Wilson, ’16 – Attending graduate school for Medical and Biological Illustration at Johns Hopkins University

“It was really my professors here at HPU I have to thank. They’ve all been some of the friendliest, most helpful and quirky professionals I’ve come in contact with, and they’ve been an integral part of me staying interested in science and medicine, and then later taking the leap of adding art to the mix.”

Tyler Wilson, ’16 – Research Technician in the Biology Department at the University of Rochester in New York

“Pursuing undergraduate research definitely has made the biggest impact on me during my time at HPU. Before starting college, I would have never dreamed that scientific research was right for me. Now, it has become a passion that I cannot imagine myself not doing. This experience helped shape me into the person I am today and has laid the groundwork for the person I want to be in the future.”

Lauren Mantikas, ’16 – Office Manager and Patient Coordinator for Dr. George Mantikas

Because of Dr. Jeffrey Taylor, I had the opportunity to present my research at the American College of Sports Medicine conference in San Diego, California. I will forever be indebted to Dr. Taylor for not only giving me exceptional research experience but by being a great mentor and giving me opportunities that most professors wouldn’t.”

Calla Telzrow, ’16 – Attending graduate school through Duke University’s Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Ph.D. program

“Throughout the summer of 2015, I participated in the Summer Research Program in the Sciences (SuRPS) at HPU. For the culmination of the eight-week research experience, each student presented his/her research to all participating faculty and students. In the midst of my presentation, I realized that graduate school was a feasible goal; SuRPS gave me the confidence to pursue it.”

Laura Bernitsky, ’16 – Attending dental school at the University of Missouri, Kansas City

“The many courses I’ve taken in the biology department prepared me incredibly well for the DAT, and have made me comfortable with a wide range of biological sciences. Through a variety of courses (zoology, botany, microbiology, virology, global change ecology, and immunology), I have learned to think on every level from the smallest proteins to the entire globe.  I know that this ability will serve me well as I begin four challenging years of dental school.”

Lauren Evans, ’15 – Pursuing a Doctorate of Pharmacy at the Wingate University School of Pharmacy

Through the help of the biology department, advising and Dr. Buddy Lingle, I was able to prepare early in the classes I would need to take for pharmacy school. My teachers have always been very caring and willing to do anything to help me achieve my goal of getting accepted into pharmacy school.”

Andrea Perreault, ’15 – Pursuing a Ph.D in Quantitative and Chemical Biology at Vanderbilt University

“HPU prepared me for graduate school by providing challenging coursework and professors who were always available for help. The courses I took for my two majors, and my general education classes, challenged me to think critically and form my own way of problem solving. Professors for these classes were always willing to meet with me about questions and discuss topics from class. HPU helped me become confident in my abilities and develop skills to effectively present my ideas and opinions.”

Colleen Quinn, ’14 – Dental school at The University of Maryland

“The entire Biology department has been so great throughout all four years at HPU. I couldn’t have done it without each of my teachers who strengthened my love for biology and really made class time an enjoyable experience. They prepared me so well for the Dental Admissions Test, wrote awesome recommendation letters, and encouraged me every step of the way!”

Jennifer Silk, ’14 – Medical School at Ohio University

“HPU has given me the ‘bricks’ to help me build my foundation for a future career in medicine. From a rigorous academic course load to opportunities outside of the classroom, I have been stretched academically and personally to become the best version of myself each and every day.”

Our graduates have also gone on to work for private industries such as Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical, LabCorp, MWG (Biotech), Victory Pharma, R.J. Reynolds, CDC (Atlanta, GA), K Chemicals (Pharmaceuticals), and Alamance Foods, Inc. They have also gone on into the school systems, working for the states of North Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland, as well as the Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida, Davidson County Community College, and Randolph Community College.

The Department of Biology offers both the B.A. and the B.S. degrees in Biology, and the B.S. degree in Neuroscience. To graduate from High Point University with these degrees, students must complete the following:

B.A. in Biology

B.S. in Biology

B.S. in Neuroscience

Requirements for the B.A. in Biology (38 credits)

Core courses (to be taken during the freshman year)

BIO 1399. Introduction to Biological Principles and Literature I: Cellular and Molecular Processes (4)
BIO 2000. Introduction to Biological Principles and Literature II: Evolutionary and Ecological Processes (4)
MTH 1400. Precalculus (4)
CHM 1010/1011. General Chemistry I/Lab (3/1)
CHM 1020/1021. General Chemistry II/Lab (3/1)

Two courses selected from the following:
BIO 2110. Organismal Biology I: Prokaryotes, Protists, Fungi & Plants (4)
BIO 2120. Organismal Biology II: Zoology (4)
BIO/PHS 2060. Human Physiology (4)
BIO/ANA 2070. Human Anatomy (4)

Eight credits from the following:
ENV 1110. Environmental Science (4)
BCH 3220. Biochemistry I (4)
Any 3000- or 4000-level biology courses

One course selected from the following:
BIO 4111 & BIO 4112. Undergraduate Research (2)
BIO 4980. Biology Journal Club (2)
BIO 4990. Senior Seminar (2)

Requirements for the B.S. in Biology (58 credits)

Core courses (to be taken during the freshman year)

BIO 1399. Introduction to Biological Principles and Literature I: Cellular and Molecular Processes (4)
BIO 2000. Introduction to Biological Principles and Literature II: Evolutionary and Ecological Processes (4)
MTH 1410. Calculus I (4)
STS 2020. Introduction to Statistics (4) or STS 3200. Mathematical Statistics and Data Analysis (4)
CHM 1010/1011. General Chemistry I/Lab (4)
CHM 1020/1021. General Chemistry II/Lab (4)
CHM 2510/2511. Organic Chemistry I/Lab (4)
CHM 2520-2521. Organic Chemistry II/Lab (4)

One course selected from the following:

BIO 4111 & BIO 4112. Undergraduate Research (2)
BIO 4980. Biology Journal Club (2)
BIO 4990. Senior Seminar (2)

For completion of the B.S. in Biology, students choose one of the following concentrations within their major based on their career interests:

• Organismal and Evolutionary Biology concentration
• Cellular/Molecular Biology and Biotechnology concentration
• Health Science concentration – students interested in careers in Health Sciences (pre-med, pre-dental, pre-PA, etc.)

Learn more about the course requirements for each of these concentrations.

Requirements for the B.S. in Neuroscience (58 credits)

Students will complete the following 58 credits within the major. Note that completion of the equivalent of MTH 1210 (Pre calculus) is also required.

Foundation Courses (40 credits):

First Year

BIO 1399  Introduction to Biological Principles and Literature I: Cellular and Molecular Processes (4)
BIO 2000  Introduction to Biological Principles and Literature II: Evolutionary and Ecological Processes (4)
PSY 2000  Introduction to Psychology (4)
CHM 1010/1011  General Chemistry I/Lab (4)
CHM 1020/1021  General Chemistry II /Lab (4)

Second Year

BIO 2060/2061  Human Physiology and Human Physiology/Lab (4)
BIO 2070/2071  Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy/Lab (4)
CHM 2510/2511  Organic Chemistry I/Lab (4)
CHM 2520/2521  Organic Chemistry II/Lab (4)
STS 2020  Introduction to Statistics (4) or STS 3200 Mathematical Statistics and Data Analysis (4)

Core courses (8 credits)†

Third Year

BIO 3010 Principles of Neuroscience (4)

Choose one 4 credit course (lecture plus lab) from Category I:

BIO 3000  Cell Biology (4)
BIO 3050  Genetics (4)
BIO 4090  Molecular Biology (4)
BCH 3320/3330  Biochemistry/Lab (4)*

†Taken after the completion of all foundation courses.
*The honors section of BCH 3220 is a prerequisite for this course. 

Upper Level Elective Courses (8 credits)‡

 Third and Fourth Years

Choose two courses from Category II:

BIO 4200  Neurogenesis (4)
BIO 4210  Molecular Neuroscience (4)
PSY 3520  Sensation & Perception (4)**
PSY 4610  Drugs & Behavior (4)**

‡Taken after completion of all Core Courses. No more than one PSY course from Category II can be counted toward the major.
**PSY 2600 is a prerequisite course.

Senior Capstone Experience (2 credits)

 Fourth Year

BIO 4250  Journal Club: Advanced Topics in Neuroscience (2)***

***Taught on a rotating basis by biology faculty. This is a capstone course with a flexible topic, dependent upon the expertise and interest of the professor. The course will include both written and oral presentation components, as well as discussion and critical analysis of primary literature.

Note: if students’ professional goals lie in a health science field (e.g., pre-medical; pre-dental; pre-PA), they should also attend regular advising sessions with health science advisors for mentoring on coursework required to be considered for admission to these graduate / professional programs, since some of the required courses do not overlap with the courses required for this major.