The undergraduate curriculum focuses on the biomedical sciences and provides an innovative program for the training and development of prospective biologists, who can progress to careers in research or teaching as well as further studies in applied fields such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, laboratory science and technology, industry and environmental sciences. Classroom instruction, laboratory sessions and community service requirements lead students to develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, provide technology-based training, and give them a deep understanding of scientific concepts that can be applied to the improvement of human society. The activities in which students participate, both curricular and extracurricular, train them for regional, national and global leadership roles.
The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences is housed in the Mary Townes Science Building (MTSB) and in part of the Lee Biology Building. The department has faculty research laboratories in both the MTSB and the Lee Biology Building. Faculty research laboratories are also located in the Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute (JLC-BBRI) on the NCCU main campus and at the NC Nutrition Research Center in Kannapolis, NC. The department possesses major equipment for research in cellular and molecular biology using prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, supported by chromatography, microscopy, imaging and media preparation core facilities.
There are faculty-directed research opportunities for students in various areas of the biological sciences. Interdisciplinary collaborations exist with Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physics and Mathematics, Environmental Earth, and Geospatial Sciences, Nursing, Public Health Education, and Criminal Justice.
The major research areas in the department include cancer biology, genetics, neurobiology, developmental biology, molecular toxicology, microbiology and infectious diseases, virology, immunology, cardiovascular diseases, evolutionary biology and science education.