Biology
Bachelor of Science Major and Minor
Seeds. Cells. Cichlids. Cephalapods. Our planet is full of complex and beautiful living things. But how do they work? What are they made of? Why do they behave the way they do? Our biology program empowers you to study the life around you, supporting your journey and giving you the tools to answer these questions.
We believe that the best biologists follow a program of study that provides a broad fundamental understanding of all areas of the life sciences as well as chemistry, physics, and mathematics. This approach reinforces in students the knowledge, skills, and habits of thought that characterize the biologically trained mind.
Because we require all majors to take at least one course in each area, you’ll emerge well-rounded with knowledge that translates into the professional or graduate school environment.
Why study Biology at Warren Wilson?
- Classrooms Without Walls: The farm, forest, river, greenhouses, and garden right here on our 1,000+ acre campus provide unfettered access to plants, animals, and microbes. Opportunities abound for independent research.
- Biodiversity: Our mountains have more types of plants than any other area in North America and more salamander species than any other place in the world.
- Labs: Access genetics, microbiology, and microscopy labs to test your theories and think creatively.
- Alumni Advantage: Join the ranks of alumni who’ve conducted research projects with real-world implications, and, like them, discover your own successful path.
Every student will complete community-engaged coursework, an internship, and original research as part of their major
A Sample of Our Partnerships
- Mountain True
- Doc Wilson Community Garden
- Asheville Greenworks
- Bounty and Soul
With Honors
Biology majors have the opportunity to graduate with honors. Through the Honors Program, you will conduct original research, apply for research funding, and present and defend your research in a professional forum. Your honors experience will establish you as an independent, critical thinker ready for the next step.
See how Biology students put our education into action
Internship
Lillian Byrth did their internship with professor Eric Griffin at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. The DiversiTREE project is a long term, large-scale monitoring project aimed at understanding the factors that drive forest diversity, ranging from the molecular biology of soil microbes to the large-scale ecosystem processes at play. Lillian pursued both field work and genetics lab work as a part of this project and was part of an amazing team of researchers from all over the US.
Community Engaged Course
In our Conservation Biology course, you’ll work with the Student Network for Amphibian Pathogen Surveillance (SNAPS) — a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey, the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative, AmphibiaWeb, and Environment and Climate Change Canada — to conduct surveillance on local amphibians for the pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal).
Work
You can work on any crew as a student but many Biology majors choose to be on crews such as:
- Biology / Environmental Studies Crew
- Genetics Research Assistant Crew
- Forestry Crew
- Farm Crew
- Garden Crew
- Chemistry Crew
Study Abroad
In the study abroad course Climate Change in Mediterranean Ecosystems, students spent time learning about climate science and how Earth’s biological systems are responding to climate change. We partnered with Perrotis College in Thessaloniki, Greece, where WWC students attended classes on climate resilience, food production, food systems, ecology, and more, but also went on field trips to meet with local producers in the country. They engaged in a variety of cross cultural activities and learned about the responses of the EU to Greece.
Research
Randy Bowman conducted his NSURS research assessing variation in the lateral line, a tactile sensory structure, in a group of freshwater fishes known as darters. This entailed developing a new methodology to quantitatively measure the shape of these structures. Randy is presenting his work at the annual meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society in Asheville in February 2025.
Research
James Kitchens pursued research with Liesl Erb and Alisa Hove. James used DNA obtained from pika scat samples to estimate sex ratios in a population of the American pika, a mammal that is threatened by climate change. As part of this work, James co-authored two peer reviewed articles.
Popular Courses
General Biology
Learn major topics in biology, like cell biology, evolution, and the biodiversity of Earth’s life forms. You’ll learn hands-on by conducting experiments on our working lands.
General Botany
Explore the evolutionary, structural, cellular, and ecological aspects of botany. You’ll study both traditional and modern botany including plants, cyanobacteria, fungi, algae, and vascular plants. In your lab period, you’ll explore botany in the field and indoors, and collaborate with research partners and botany professionals.
Ecology
Learn the fundamental theories of ecology and apply them by doing experiments in Appalachian forests, streams, and fields. Through hands-on projects and data analysis, you’ll develop a deep understanding of ecological interactions and experimental design—preparing yourself for a career in biology and environmental science.
Alisa Hove, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Mating system evolution
- Plant-fungal interactions
- Evolutionary responses to environmental stress
“Warren Wilson College provides seemingly endless opportunities to work in collaborative settings with students who take an active role in their own learning. ”
Amy Boyd, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Pollination biology and ecology
- Population dynamics of an endangered cactus species
- Floristics of the Blue Ridge mountains
“Warren Wilson is a place where we are engaged lovers of learning and of connecting what we learn to the world. It’s also a community where we can be whole people with diverse interests, where I can not only be scientist but artist, musician, gardener, mother.”
Mark Brenner, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Aquatic Ecology
- Nutrient cycling in ecosystems
- Mycoremediation
“As a field biologist, I always say our best laboratories are right out the back door of the science building. Within a 5 minute walk we have 3 ponds, a trout stream and 600 acres of Forest.”
Liesl Peterson Erb, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Conservation biology
- Wildlife ecology
“I am more guide than teacher; I love guiding intelligent, passionate students as they help change the world not just after they graduate, but as part of their educational experience.”
Jeff Holmes, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Toxoplasma gondii in shrew mortality and behavior
- Learning in the sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica
- Planctomycete bacteria
“There are a lot of great colleges in this country, both big and small, but I don’t know of another one I would rather teach at than here.”
Olya Milenkaya, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Wildlife Behavioral Ecology
- Invasive Species
“I love teaching at Warren Wilson because the students challenge me to dig deeper and think harder. And I return the favor: we push and support each other in our learning. ”
Patrick Ciccotto, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Systematics of Asian freshwater fishes
- Evolutionary ecology of fish coloration
- Aquatic conservation
“The enthusiasm Warren Wilson students have for the study of the natural world on campus and beyond is infectious. I enjoy guiding and learning from them as we explore biological systems and processes together.”
Paul Bartels, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Invertebrate zoology
- Evolution and ecology of Phylum Tardigrada (water bears)
- Coral reef ecology
“To be a teacher at WWC means, by necessity, to be a generalist. My students are eager and my subject is limitless, so there is always some new wonder to be discovered and shared.”
Liz Benavides, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Animal Science/Animal Physiology
- Plant-based anthelmintics (de-wormers)
- Animal Endocrinology
“At Warren Wilson, I have most enjoyed learning from my students as much as I am teaching them. Their wealth of experiences has not only been valuable in my lessons, but I have learned so much from them as well!”
“I learned how to troubleshoot problems on the fly, break large goals into tasks that could be accomplished in a 3-hour shift, and motivate and manage my peers to succeed at our common goals. I also use a surprising amount of the basic electrical and plumbing skills I learned on the farm on a daily basis in my lab – whether I am setting up a new data collection method or troubleshooting an equipment issue.”
Landon Bayless-Edwards
(she/her)
MD/PhD student at Oregon Health and Sciences University
Major, Minor, Concentration, Crews
- Double Majored in Biology and Environmental Studies
- Crews: Farm and Genetics Lab
Where Our Biology Graduates Go
- Tangled Bank Conservation
- University of California Davis
- University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Oregon Health and Science University
- Caney Fork Farm
- Warren Wilson College
