Biological Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences offers BA and BS degrees in biological sciences. The curriculum is designed for students to meet the following learning outcomes: ability to critically evaluate the methodology and to carry out a scientific investigation in biology; understanding and critical evaluation of biological information; ability to discuss and communicate biological concepts accurately, effectively and concisely; and the ability to apply biological training to careers. The BA is recommended for the student who wishes to use a general education with a major in biology as a foundation for the Doctor of Medicine Degree, careers in the allied medical professions, environmentally related professions, law, business and finance, education, information technologies and the like. Students have great flexibility in their course choices. Selection of courses based on career goals is highly advised. The BS is recommended for students who plan laboratory or field-based scientific careers in biology and related fields either immediately after the baccalaureate or after postgraduate study. 

Students should declare their major after having completed 12 credits while attending college, with eight of these credits being from the following list: BIOL 113, BIOL 114, CHEM 104, CHEM 105, CHEM 107, CHEM 108, MATH 147.

Note: Students may not double major or minor in integrative neuroscience or biochemistry.

AP Statistics is not accepted for fulfilling the statistics requirement.

Harpur College Requirements

Harpur College students must complete the following requirements in addition to those listed for the major:

  • 126 credits
  • 94 liberal arts and sciences credits
  • Minimum of 46 upper-level credits
  • Completion of the Harpur College writing requirement (four to five courses as described in the All-College Writing section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin. Maximum of one C/J course and two W courses may be transferred).
  • Minimum of 44 credits in residence in Harpur College
  • 2.0 or higher GPA

Harpur College requirements are described in detail in the Requirements for Graduation section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin.

Biological Sciences Core Requirements for BA and BS Degrees

  • Introductory biology: BIOL 113, 114 and BIOL 115 (or approved equivalent)
  • General chemistry: CHEM 104, 105, 106 OR CHEM 107 and CHEM 108, or CHEM 111
  • Organic chemistry: CHEM 231, 332
  • Statistics: one full course in statistics from approved list
  • Eight credits of math/science electives from approved list
  • Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) Core: one full course from approved list*
  • Ecology and Evolution (EE) Core: one full course from approved list**

*CMB Core courses: BIOL 311, or BIOL 332, or BIOL 401

**EE Core courses: BIOL 351, or BIOL 355/373

Note: The following courses may be required courses for the biological sciences major: MATH 147. If students do not place into MATH 147, then MATH 107 or BIOL 100 is also required for completion of the major. Some biology majors may take MATH 224. If students do not place into MATH 224, then MATH 223 and, if needed, MATH 108 are also required. Additionally, some biology majors may take BIOL 347. BIOL 251 is also required if taking BIOL 347.

Note: Students pursuing the SUNY transfer path should check with the school they wish to transfer to in order to determine whether MATH 108 is necessary.

Additional Requirements for the BA Degree

In addition to the biological sciences core requirements, all students pursuing a BA degree must complete:

  • Upper-level biology: 12 credits of upper-level biology courses (courses numbered 300 or above) including two laboratory courses.

Notes:

  • No more than four credits may come from the following list: BIOL 494, 495, 496, 497 and 498
  • Only one laboratory course requirement may be satisfied by BIOL 495 or 497 or 498
  • A course counting toward the laboratory requirement must be at least two credits
  • BIOL 490-493 does not fulfill this requirement

Except for BIOL 391 and 494-498, no BIOL course taken on the Pass/Fail grading option will fulfill the requirements for the biology major.

Residency requirement: A minimum of 20 credits in BIOL courses numbered 300-level and above, including the two upper-level core courses, must be taken in Harpur College in order to qualify for the BA degree.

Additional Requirements for the BS Degree

In addition to the biological sciences core requirements, all students pursuing a BS degree must complete:

  • Upper-level biology: 20 credits of upper-level biology courses (courses numbered 300 or above) including two laboratory courses.

Notes:

  • No more than eight credits may come from the following list: BIOL 494, 495, 496, 497 and 498
  • Only one laboratory course requirement may be satisfied by BIOL 495 or 497 or 498
  • A course counting toward the laboratory requirement must be at least two credits
  • BIOL 490-493 does not fulfill this requirement

Except for BIOL 391 and 494-498, no BIOL course taken on the Pass/Fail grading option will fulfill the requirements for the biology major.

Residency requirement: A minimum of 28 credits in BIOL courses numbered 300-level and above, including the two upper-level core courses, must be taken in Harpur College in order to qualify for the BS degree.

Distinguished Independent Work in Biology

The award of distinguished independent work in biology is granted to biology majors who distinguish themselves in biological research. Students in this program are required to do a year-long research project under the guidance of a departmental faculty member.

To be accepted into the program, a student must have junior standing, at least a 3.0 GPA overall and 3.3 GPA in biology courses, the consent of a faculty supervisor and the approval of the undergraduate committee. Students doing the research must have completed four credits of BIOL 497, or two credits of BIOL 497 and two credits of BIOL 498 before registering for BIOL 499, and should maintain their GPAs. The student's thesis must be submitted for approval to a thesis committee consisting of the supervising professor and two other members, usually faculty. The satisfactory completion of the project and thesis earns the recognition at graduation of distinguished independent work in biology. Formal application for this program, including the composition of the thesis committee, must be completed by the registration period of the semester when the student plans to graduate.

Biological Sciences Minor

Requirements for the minor are:

  • BIOL 113, 114 and 115 (or approved equivalent)
  • One core course in cell biology, genetics or molecular genetics, BIOL 311 or 332 or 401
  • One core course in evolution or ecology, BIOL 351 or 355/373
  • Eight additional credits in BIOL at the 300-400 level, but not BIOL 491
  • Only four credits may be in BIOL 494, 495, 496 and 497
  • All courses taken to satisfy the minor must be taken for a letter grade unless mandated Pass/Fail by the instructor.
  • Residency requirement: A minimum of 12 credits of BIOL courses numbered 300-level and above, including the two core courses, must be taken in Harpur College in order to qualify for the biology minor.
  • At least four of the courses in the student's minor program must be in addition to those counted toward fulfillment of the requirements for the student's major (and for the other minor, if the student pursues two).

List of Faculty