Environmental Biology - Wingate University
Environmental Biology
BIOLOGY
passionate about exploring and protecting lifes complex functions?
Wingate University’s broad-based environmental biology major prepares students for professional work or graduate study in a wide range of disciplines including zoology, plant biology, wildlife ecology, field botany and animal behavior. Lab and field work supplement your classroom time, so you acquire the fundamental skills you need for your career.
Fundamentals and Beyond
In addition to the standard life sciences curriculum, environmental biology majors study zoology and botany and choose from wide-ranging electives such as animal and plant ecology, ornithology, entomology, wildlife management, marine biology and oceanography, genetics and microbiology.
Study Outside the Classroom
Opportunities for enhancing coursework with real-life experiences are well within your reach. Our students have completed internships with:
Carolina Raptor Center
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue
Carolina Wildlands Foundation
Local veterinarians
Marine Mammal Stranding Center
Nature centers
Zoos
Qualified students can
study abroad
and earn Wingate University credit hours as part of the Denmark International Studies program in environmental biology.
Student Research Starts Here
Motivated environmental biology majors can participate in
faculty-directed undergraduate research
projects for academic credit. You might conduct research into:
Animal behavior and ecology
Bird communication
Field botany
Seed germination
Our student researchers regularly present their projects at the Creative and Investigative Partnerships symposium held on campus each spring semester. Many majors have presented their research results at regional, state and national scientific meetings.
Major Requirements
Faculty
Career Opportunities
The biology major must complete a minimum of 125 credit hours, and the courses must be completed in sequence.
Students can also minor in Biology. Begin by taking 18 hours of biology courses listed in our
academic catalog
, including Biology 150 and 160. These four-hour courses give you a solid foundation in biological science. You learn about the structure and function of a cell so you’ll have firm footing when you take the other 10 hours. Keep in mind that at least six of the other hours must be at the 200 level or above.
Acchia Albury
Associate Professor, Biology
Nicole Barrios
Biology Instructor, Director of OneDog101
Cameron Bramhall
Adjunct Faculty
Alison Brown
Professor of Biology
Aliya Davenport
Associate Professor
Debra Davis
Associate Professor
Tracy Davis
Visiting Assistant Professor, Biology
Emily Lamm
Lab Manager and Safety Compliance Officer
Ed Mills
Marjorie H. Lang Professor of Biology
Chasity Moore
Adjunct Faculty
Gena Moore
Director/Instructor, Agriculture Food Systems, Instructor, Biology
Erika Niland
Professor and Biology Department Chair
Brandi Risley
Administrative Assistant
Mark Rollins
Biology Instructor
Brett Schofield
Assistant Professor, Coordinator of Undergraduate Research
Shem Unger
Associate Professor, Biology
Edward Wolfe III
Adjunct Faculty
With a bachelor’s degree in hand, many environmental biology majors go on to biology careers with non-profit groups, corporations, consulting firms, environmental education organizations, and state and federal agencies. Others continue their work in graduate school and pursue academic or research careers.
Please contact us to learn more about the environmental biology major and see how it aligns with your goals.
research opportunities
"It wasn’t until I attended Wingate University in undergrad that I would find my true passion for research, wildlife, and birds. I have to credit my two undergraduate research advisors: Dr. Alison Brown, who taught me the true passion and joy in conducting research, and Dr. Edward Mills, who introduced me to ornithology as well as many other aspects of wildlife biology through the courses that he taught. I gained research experience and the opportunity to work with various species of animals including sheep and Chinese Blue-breasted Quail. I also got the experience of presenting my work publicly at professional science conferences."
Lauren Pharr, 2019  Environmental Biology grad now working on her master's in Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology at N.C. State
Questions?
Dr. Erika Niland
(704) 233-8323
e.niland@wingate.edu