Genetics Major

Bachelor of Science in Genetics

The Genetics program offers undergraduate majors classroom training in fundamentals of genetics and other sciences, as well as opportunities for meaningful research experience. The degree in genetics is the only genetics major offered in the UNC system.

The genetics major complements other degree programs in the biological and life sciences at N.C. State, as it prepares students for further graduate study, professional schools (such as medical, dental, veterinary, genetic counseling) or careers in industries whose products are based on biological and agricultural research, including biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Building on the strength of NC State as a leader in science and technology, students in the program can easily earn a concurrent minor in any of the other life sciences curricula, as well as other programs such as statistics or biotechnology.

Sample Semester Sequence

FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester
LSC 101 or ENV 101	LSC 101 or ENV 101: Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences¹ or Exploring the Environment¹	2
BIO 181	Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity¹	4
CH 101	Chemistry–A Molecular Science¹	3
CH 102	General Chemistry Laboratory¹	1
LSC 103 or ENV 100	Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences¹ or Student Success in Environmental First Year¹	1
MA 131 or MA 141	Calculus I¹	3
GEP	Health and Exercise Studies	1
		15
Spring Semester
BIO 183	Introductory Biology: Cellular & Molecular¹	4
CH 221	Organic Chemistry I¹	3
CH 222	Organic Chemistry I Laboratory¹	1
MA 231 or MA 241	Calculus II¹	3
ENG 101	Academic Writing and Research¹	4
		15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester
CH 223	Organic Chemistry II^1,2	3
CH 224	Organic Chemistry II Laboratory¹	1
ST 311	Introduction to Statistics¹	3
	Cell Biology / Physiology¹	3
GEP	Interdisciplinary Perspectives	3
	Free Elective	3
		16
Spring Semester
GN 311	Principles of Genetics¹	4
GN 312	Elementary Genetics Lab¹	1
CH 201	Chemistry–A Quantitative Science¹	3
CH 202	Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory¹	1
	Restricted Elective¹	3
GEP	GEP Humanities	3
GEP	GEP Health and Exercise Studies	1
		16
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester
GN 421	Molecular Genetics¹	3
GN 423	Population, Quantitative, and Evolutionary Genetics¹	3
	High impact Learning Experience¹	3
ENG 333 or BIO 267	Communication for Science & Research¹ or Research in the Life Sciences I: Research Skills¹	3
GEP	GEP Elective	3
		15
Spring Semester
GN 425	Advanced Genetics Laboratory¹	2
	Genetics Elective¹	3
BCH 351 or BCH 451	Biochemistry^1.2	3
PY 211	College Physics I^1,2,3	4
GEP	Social Science Requirement	3
		15
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester
PY 212	College Physics II^1,2,3	4
	Genetics Elective¹	3
	Restricted Elective¹	3
	Free Electives	3
		16
Spring Semester
	Genetics Elective¹	3
	Restricted Electives¹	3
	GEP Social Science	3
	Free Electives	6
		15
Minimum Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120 Graduation requirements include: Students must have a 2.0 overall GPA. Students are not allowed to co-major in Genetics and other majors within the Biological Sciences department including Biologics Sciences BS (including all concentrations), Biological Sciences BA, Zoology (including all concentrations), and Microbiology (including all concentrations). Students majoring in Genetics cannot minor in Biological Sciences. Footnotes: ‘¹ A grade of C- or higher is required. ²At most, one passing grade lower than C- is allowed for these science courses (CH 201, CH 223, BCH 351, BCH 451, PY 211, PY 212). ³PY 201 or PY 205 and PY 206 may be substituted for PY 211. PY 202 or PY 208 and PY 209 may be substituted for PY 212.