How to Apply to Duke University for Undergraduate Biology: Apply to Trinity or Pratt and Choose the Major Later, B.S. and A.B. Degrees with Ten Biology Courses and Two Gateway Courses, for U.S., International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Duke University is in Durham, North Carolina. Undergraduates belong to Trinity College of Arts & Sciences or the Pratt School of Engineering, and the biology degree is offered by the Department of Biology. You apply to the university, not to the department. This article follows Duke’s own pages, with sections for U.S. applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, then transfer students. Chemistry is not covered here; medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health and biomedical engineering are outside the scope of this article, so please see Duke’s website.

1. Degrees and programmes in biology

• The biology major: the department offers a B.S. and an A.B. The B.S. is the degree it recommends for students planning careers in the biological or biomedical sciences, and most students pursue it; the A.B. is the liberal arts pathway for students planning law, policy or secondary-school teaching, and requires maths and chemistry only through Calculus I (or statistics) and introductory chemistry. There are no separate majors in molecular biology, ecology or genetics, but students can concentrate on these areas through their course choices.
• Major requirements (common to both degrees): ten biology courses, all taken for a letter grade (S/U does not count, except for the maths, chemistry and physics prerequisites).
  (1) Two gateway courses: Biology 201L Molecular Biology and Biology 202L Genetics & Evolution, in either order; students with AP Biology or strong preparation typically do better in 202L.
  (2) One approved course in each of three areas: organismal diversity, structure/function (cells and organisms), and ecology.
  (3) Five electives: at least four at the 200 level or above and at most one numbered 101–199; at least three listed or cross-listed as biology; at most two approved independent studies or tutorials and at most two approved alternate electives in the biological sciences.
  (4) Together the area and elective courses must include at least two full laboratory courses at the 200 level or above (not counting 201L/202L; only one independent study may count as a lab course) and at least one 400-level-or-above biology capstone (an independent study counts only as the second-semester continuation with the same supervisor). Students who took Biology 203L need a sixth elective to reach ten courses.
• B.S. maths, chemistry and physics requirements: Math 111L (or Math 105L plus 106L, AP Math 21 or transfer Math 121); statistics 101 or above, or Calculus II (Math 112/122L or AP Math 22); Chem 101DL or 110DL (or AP Chem 21); Chem 201DL Organic Chemistry I; and Physics 121L or an equivalent (AP Physics 25, transfer credit and so on) or a second-semester physics course (122L/142L/108L). At Duke these prerequisites may be taken S/U, but the department warns students to check that this is acceptable for any postgraduate programme.
• A.B. prerequisites: statistics 101 or above, or Math 111L (or equivalent); and Chem 101DL or 110DL (or AP Chem 21). The page notes that Chem 202L, 210DL and Physics 122L/142L are recommended for pre-med, pre-vet, biochemistry and pharmacology. STA 20 does not satisfy the statistics requirement.
• Concentrations: the department says about 25% of majors complete one of 12 optional concentrations, which are advising tools for focusing course choices and are noted on the transcript. Students matriculating in fall 2027 or later will no longer have transcript designations for concentrations and can instead focus on areas of interest through advising pathways.
• Related programmes: the biology FAQ lists related majors and minors in neuroscience, evolutionary anthropology (primatology and human origins), chemistry (with a biochemistry focus), environmental sciences, and marine science and conservation; Duke’s programme list also includes biophysics (B.S.) and a computational biology and bioinformatics minor. Courses from these programmes can count toward some biology requirements, as the department decides.
• Checklist: the department provides a major worksheet; questions about the major and concentrations go to its Director of Undergraduate Studies and programme administrator.

2. How admission works: choose a school, then a major after arrival

• At application: Duke says applicants must apply to either Trinity or Pratt, and the application asks for preliminary academic interests. Duke says neither school is easier or harder to enter; choose by interest.
• Trinity students: the biology FAQ says students entering Trinity all begin undeclared, can choose freely among all of Duke’s majors, including biology, and usually declare in the fourth semester. The department adds that undergraduate admissions are handled centrally and the biology department has no role. Duke also says Trinity has 48 majors and 83% of its students double major, minor or earn a certificate.
• Entry requirements for the biology major: the department pages read give no GPA threshold, prerequisite grades or cap on places; not published, please contact the department.
• Whether Pratt students can major in biology: not stated on the pages read; not published, please ask the department.
• Size: the department says there are typically about 170 biology majors in each graduating class, and about as many students in other majors take introductory and pre-health courses, so introductory lectures can have 150–200 students, second-level courses usually 25–40, and advanced labs and seminars generally fewer than 20. Large lectures split weekly into sections of 15–20 for lab or discussion, led by graduate teaching assistants, and lectures and seminars are taught by regular faculty.

3. Prerequisites and course selection

• High school courses: Duke recommends four years of English and at least three years each of mathematics, natural science, world language and social studies, and generally expects five academic courses a year. No high school course is listed specifically for biology (Pratt applicants must have calculus and are strongly advised to take physics).
• AP, IB and A-Level (Registrar, for students entering in 2026-27): AP Biology 4 earns BIOLOGY 20 and 5 earns BIOLOGY 21, and either allows BIOLOGY 201L or 202L; IB Biology is accepted at HL only, 6 earning BIOLOGY 20 and 7 earning BIOLOGY 21; A-Level Biology B earns BIOLOGY 20 and A earns BIOLOGY 21. AP Chemistry 4 earns CHEM 20 and 5 earns CHEM 21; IB Chemistry HL 6 earns CHEM 20 and 7 CHEM 21; A-Level Chemistry B earns CHEM 20 and A CHEM 21. AP Calculus AB 5 or BC 4 earns MATH 21 and BC 5 earns MATH 21 and 22; AP Physics C Mechanics and E&M at 4 or 5 earn PHYSICS 25 and 26, while algebra-based AP Physics 1 and 2 are not accepted; AP Statistics 5 earns STA 20 (which does not satisfy the biology statistics requirement).
• AP and the major: the department says AP Biology does not exempt students from the gateway courses, since every biology major takes Biology 201L and 202L; AP credit in chemistry, maths and physics can be used to place out of introductory courses, which reduces the prerequisite courses needed. Only two AP credits can reduce the courses needed for graduation (from 34 to 32), but any number of AP credits can be used to place out of introductory courses.
• Chemistry starting point: Chem 101DL/110DL and 201DL are placed by the chemistry department according to high school chemistry, math SAT (or ACT) and AP chemistry; students with less than a year of chemistry and/or math SAT ≤650 (ACT 27) are directed to CHEM 99D, which does not count toward major requirements. Please check the chemistry department’s first-year placement page for the full chart.
• Research: the department says most biology majors do one or two semesters of research, usually starting in junior or senior year and often earlier; most do it as regular coursework for grades and credit; summer fellowships generally pay a stipend so students can live on campus or at the Marine Lab; many students publish and base honors on the work.
• Study away: the department says many biology students spend at least one semester away, typically in junior year, with the Duke Marine Lab semester and summer programmes and a summer course in Australian biogeography especially popular; the major is flexible enough to allow a semester away with no biology.
• Competitions: the pages read do not say how biology olympiads are viewed in admission; not published.

4. Rounds and materials (2026-27 cycle)

• Early Decision (binding): due November 2, decisions in mid-December. Regular Decision: due January 4, decisions in late March or early April. Duke describes ED as a binding programme for students whose top choice is Duke.
• Platform and fee: the Common Application (QuestBridge for eligible students). The fee is $85, non-refundable, with waivers for qualifying students with high financial need.
• Materials: high school transcript; first-quarter grades (ED; accepted through November 20 or when the first term ends) and midyear grades (February 15); secondary school report with counsellor recommendation; two teacher recommendations (three letters in all; teachers of major academic subjects, preferably from the last two years of secondary school); the personal essay and two short Duke essays of up to 250 words (“Why Duke” and “Communities”), plus an optional short essay (one of three prompts). Duke does not accept separate résumés, research abstracts or media files.
• Testing: SAT/ACT are optional for first-year and transfer applicants in 2026-27, with the same policy for international students; official scores are required only from students who enrol. Applicants who send the ACT are encouraged to include the science section, especially if interested in STEM. Duke also says AP and IB scores are considered if the applicant chooses to report them.
• Interviews: alumni interviews are optional; Duke prioritises students for whom it needs more information, applicants cannot request one, and there are no on-campus interviews with admissions officers.
• Engineering applicants: Duke requires calculus and strongly recommends physics for Pratt, with at least one recommendation from a maths or science teacher; this article covers only the Trinity route.

5. U.S. applicants

• Tuition: Duke is private, and its cost page lists a single tuition figure with no in-state/out-of-state split. 2026-27 estimates for first-year students: tuition $73,740, fees about $3,019, housing (double) $11,560, food $10,469, billed costs $98,788–$98,848 in total (including a $60 engineering fee that only Pratt students pay); books and supplies about $536, personal expenses about $3,274, domestic travel $582–$1,318 depending on home address, for an estimated total of $103,180–$103,975. The cost page lists no extra fee for this major; not published.
• Aid: Duke says about 50% of undergraduates receive aid, 75% of students graduate debt-free, and 21% of the first-year class attended tuition-free last year; the CSS Profile and FAFSA are due November 3 (ED) and February 1 (RD). Duke says that for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, applying for aid will not disadvantage a student in admission.
• Merit scholarships: all applicants are considered, selected by the Office of University Scholars and Fellows; applying for need-based aid has no negative effect.
• In-state preference: not mentioned on the pages read; not published.

6. International applicants

• How to apply: there is no separate international application. Transcripts that need translating into English may be translated by an official service, an EducationUSA adviser or a school official, and the originals must be submitted too; transcripts and school reports must come directly from the school.
• English: not required, but recommended for non-native speakers or students not in an English-medium curriculum, with no preference among tests and the highest score used. Minimum scores expected: TOEFL iBT 100 (paper-delivered 75, home edition included), IELTS Academic 7, Duolingo 130, PTE Academic 70, Cambridge C1/C2 180. Official Duolingo submission is free; other scores may be self-reported.
• Aid: foreign citizens must apply for need-based aid in the original first-year application to be eligible at any point; applicants who indicate interest in aid are considered in a separate admission pool, and those admitted with “no financial aid interest” are ineligible to apply for aid in any year. Duke says the admit rate for foreign citizens seeking aid is usually less than half the overall admit rate, however large or small the family’s need. For how aid is calculated for foreign citizens, see the foreign-citizen page of Duke’s financial aid office.
• Merit scholarships: all applicants are automatically considered.
• Visa: the I-20 is issued only after the student accepts the offer and returns the Certificate of Financial Responsibility.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the pages read do not say how Duke uses Gaokao results; not published, please contact admissions (undergrad-admissions@duke.edu).
• Interviews: Duke says students attending schools in China are particularly encouraged to arrange an InitialView interview and to book early; this applies to transfer applicants as well.
• Transcripts: see the previous section; translations must come with originals and be sent by the school. China-specific guidance on transcripts or school-leaving examinations is not published.
• Other: Duke says students at Duke Kunshan University have no advantage when transferring to Duke.

8. Costs, departmental support and outcomes

• Costs: see section 5.
• Departmental support: the department says summer research fellowships generally pay a stipend; names, amounts and conditions of biology-specific scholarships are not published on the pages read, so please check the department website.
• Outcomes (the department’s wording): about 40% of biology majors go to medical school and about 30% to graduate programmes in the biological or biomedical sciences (many first work in labs for a few years); the rest teach in secondary schools, go to law school, work in business or volunteer. The department adds that its graduates’ medical school acceptance rate is twice the national average.
• No pre-med major: Duke says it offers no pre-medicine, pre-business or pre-law majors, minors or certificates, but provides advising through Health Professions Advising, and no seven-year medical, law or MBA programme; it gives medical and law school acceptance rates of 85% and 98%. The department notes that Chem 202L, 210DL and Physics 122L/142L are recommended for pre-med and pre-vet students.

9. Transfer students

• Deadline and route: March 15 (the page prints no year; please check it applies to fall 2027 entry); fall entry only, no spring transfer programme; about 70 students transfer in each year, most as sophomores and a few as juniors. Apply with the Duke Transfer Application or the Coalition application on Scoir, treated equally; the Common App is not accepted for transfers.
• Eligibility: attended college in the past four years and will have completed at least one full year of transferable college work by August of entry, at an accredited degree-granting institution; applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree cannot transfer; part-time students cannot apply.
• Figures from Duke: 2025-26 cycle, 2,460 applications, 160 admitted, 94 enrolled, 6.5% admit rate; 3%–7% over the past five years; the “most successful applicants” have a college GPA of at least 3.7.
• Materials: transfer application, College Report, college transcript, final high school transcript, two instructor evaluations (at least one from a college instructor), two Duke essays and financial aid forms; testing is optional in 2026-27.
• Credit: no preliminary credit evaluation; credit for no more than two years of outside coursework; at least two years at Duke; at least half of the courses in every major, minor and certificate must be taken at Duke, and some programmes require more.
• Aid: Duke admits U.S. citizen, permanent resident, undocumented and DACA transfer applicants without regard to financial circumstance and meets 100% of demonstrated need; need-based aid is not available for international transfer students, Duke offers no merit scholarships to transfer students, and fee waivers are only for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, undocumented and DACA applicants.

Transfer into biology and transfer credit

• The biology department’s own transfer-credit rules (the cap on transferred courses within the major, how outside courses are approved) are not published on the pages read; please check the department website and the Duke undergraduate bulletin.
• GPA or prerequisite requirements for entering the biology major after transfer: not published.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• Common App; ED November 2, RD January 4; $85 fee; testing optional; three recommendations (one counsellor, two teachers)
• Choose Trinity or Pratt at application; Trinity students usually declare a major in the fourth semester; the biology major is ten biology courses including Biology 201L and 202L, and the B.S. also needs calculus, statistics or Calculus II, organic chemistry and physics

International applicants (including China):

• English scores are recommended, not required (TOEFL 100, IELTS 7, Duolingo 130 and so on); translated transcripts with originals; students at schools in China are particularly encouraged to take an InitialView interview
• Indicate interest in aid at application (separate pool; choosing “no interest” means no aid in any year); ask admissions how Gaokao results are used

Transfer students:

• March 15 (check the year), fall entry only; at least one full year of transferable college work; at most two years of outside credit and at least two years at Duke

Sources: Duke University, Majors, minors and certificates; Biology: major requirements; Biology: FAQs; Biology: concentrations; Application requirements, deadlines and transfer; Resources and FAQs; Financial support; Types of aid and merit scholarships; 2026-27 cost of attendance; Registrar: AP, IB and A-Level credit. Duke’s admissions pages state the 2026-27 application cycle (fall 2027 entry) and costs are 2026-27 figures; some dates carry no year, so please check that they apply to fall 2027 entry and rely on Duke’s latest official pages.