The undergraduate biology curriculum is designed to provide students with up-to-date training in the biological sciences, including fields of concentration in ecology and evolution, as well as molecular and cellular biology. Undergraduates may pursue a B.S. in Biology or a biology undergraduate minor. All biology majors complete a core of required biology and related courses and select a group of elective courses to comprise a field of specialization. The department offers two areas of emphasis within the major: (1) Cell and Molecular Biology and (2) Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

Biology B.S. degrees and minor

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B.S. in Biology (Cell and Molecular Biology)

The cell and molecular biology emphasis includes courses in genetics and cell biology, on top of your general biology education. It provides biology majors with rigorous training suitable for medical admissions, and other health professions such as dentistry and biotechnology, and graduate study in biological and biomedical research, industry and teaching.

Explore the Cell and Molecular Biology B.S. degree specialization
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B.S. in Biology (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology)

An emphasis in ecology and evolutionary biology allows you to round out your biology major with courses that focus on population biology, evolution and ecological theory. It provides biology majors with in-the-field training suitable for a wide variety of professional careers in wildlife biology and conservation biology, and graduate study in ecological and environmental research, industry and teaching.

Explore the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology B.S. degree specialization
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B.S. in Neuroscience

The undergraduate neuroscience curriculum offers students comprehensive training in the foundations of modern neuroscience from the cellular to systems level, as well as basic and applied knowledge in general science, psychology and biology that will allow you to understand and critically evaluate knowledge in the field of neuroscience. The interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in neuroscience is offered jointly through the Department of Psychology and Department of Biology.

Explore the B.S in Neuroscience degree path
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Minor in Biology

A biology minor offers students in other majors the opportunity to add a well-rounded understanding of biology to their major. 

Explore the Biology minor

Combined interdisciplinary degree programs

The College of Science in partnership with the School of Medicine, the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the College of Business offers motivated students accelerated and/or direct paths towards careers in medicine, dentistry or business through the BS-DMD and BS-MBA programs.

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Earn your Doctor of Dental Medicine in 7 years

Students admitted into the BS-DMD program must complete the first three years of required undergraduate curriculum at the University of Nevada, Reno followed by the required four years of dental school at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Students are awarded their B.S. degree after completing the first year of graduate school curriculum.

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Earn your B.S. and M.B.A. degrees in five years

Complete the required undergraduate curriculum for their declared major in the College of Science along with some business courses in 3.5 years to earn the B.S. degree, followed by 18 months of required courses to complete the M.B.A. For more information, contact academic advisor Gina Sella.

Gina Sella
(775) 682-8733 | gsella@unr.edu

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NevadaTeach

Earn your dual degree in secondary education and one of many STEM majors. Graduating from NevadaTeach at the University of Nevada, Reno provides you with all of the coursework to pursue a teaching license at the middle or high school level, while earning a comprehensive and marketable degree in your STEM discipline. Open the door to a world of career options while helping to improve education in Nevada.

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Questions about undergraduate biology programs?

Contact your academic advisor for more information about pursuing and completing your degree in biology.

Find your advisor