The Biology Department offers many opportunities for majors to become involved in the department. These possibilities include academic, social, and service activities. Each offers you the chance to get to know faculty and other majors better, to have some fun, and to enhance your experience at UNC Asheville.
Biology Study Abroad Courses
From the deserts of the southwestern US to the salt marshes of the Gold Coast to the cloud forests of Ecuador and the iconic Galapagos Islands, Biology students have many opportunities to earn credits while studying abroad with their biology faculty!
Biology Pizza Lunches
Every semester, the department hosts a lunch with all the majors, when you will have a chance to socialize with your faculty and peers! We also welcome all the newly-declared Biology majors, and make announcements for the upcoming semester.
Biology Department Annual Field Trip
In addition to the many field trips you might go on during your courses, the department hosts a trip each spring around graduation. Recent trips have included a bioblitz of a 200 acre forest, during which we discovered rare plants and amphibians, as well as special trips to look for migratory birds like the Cerulean Warbler and Indigo Bunting.
Scientific Conferences and Meetings
Many students have the opportunity to travel with their faculty to attend conferences both regionally and nationally. For example, faculty and students regularly attend the Association of Southeastern Biologists conference each year. These are fantastic opportunities to network with potential graduate advisors, meet other students, and present your own research!
Departmental Seminars
The Biology Department periodically invites a professional scientist or other luminary to speak to biology faculty and students. Topics vary widely, but are of general interest to biologists. As a biology major, you are especially welcome to attend these seminars. Many of the speakers come from institutions wishing to attract graduate students, so you may be able to make some helpful contacts and become informed about regional graduate programs in this informal environment. Check the departmental webpage or bulletin board for seminars and other announcements.
Teaching Assistants and Course Ambassadors
Earn elective credits or hourly wages serving the department as a teaching assistant or a course ambassador! These positions are a wonderful resource for the department, and students who serve in these roles gain valuable experience that translates well to graduate school and professional life.