Overview

Biology Learning Laboratories

The Undergraduate Biology Program is housed in the Biology Learning Laboratories (BLL). This undergraduate facility is linked structurally and thematically to the research laboratories in the Centers for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and the Life Sciences building. The BLL houses fifteen state-of-the-art instructional laboratories, fully equipped support facilities, and advising and administrative offices. Faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the School of Medicine contribute to a large number of advanced instructional laboratories in the BLL including:

Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology  Biochemistry Laboratory  Bioinformatics and Computational Biology  Chordate Zoology  Developmental Genetics   Ecology Laboratory  Entomology   Invertebrate Zoology  Landscape Ecology  Neurobiology Laboratory   Molecular Microbiology  Plant Diversity  Techniques in Cancer Biology  Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Related Courses
The biology major requires a strong foundation in chemistry, mathematics and physics including:
2 semesters of general chemistry (with laboratory)
2 semesters of organic chemistry (with 1 semester of laboratory)
2 semesters of calculus
2 semesters of physics (with laboratory)
1 semester of probability and statistics

Advanced Biology Courses
Biology Majors must complete seven (7) advanced biology courses - five (5) lecture courses and two (2) laboratory courses.
Students must choose one of the following Specializations in Biology: 
Developmental Genetics 
Ecology & Evolution 
Environmental Biology
Neuroscience
Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics
Interdisciplinary Biology
Biology/Bioengineering
Biology/Clinical Laboratory Sciences Double Major 

At least 2 semesters of independent biology research (four (4) credits; BIO 486, BIO 487, BIO 489) with the same sponsor may replace one upper division laboratory course. 

Research in Biology
Motivated students are encouraged to begin faculty-sponsored independent research in their sophomore or junior year. A few students start already in their freshman year. The summer is an especially good time for students to start with research in biology. The advanced tracks in the biology major provide direct links to independent research in faculty laboratories in the Centers for Molecular Medicine, the Life Sciences departments, and the School of Medicine.Students interested in research should visit the Getting Started Guide and Research Quick Links pages.

Honors Programs in Biology and in Biology and Society
Biology Majors may graduate with departmental honors in Biology or in Biology and Society provided they have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher in all courses for the major. They must present an honors thesis based on a research project written in the form of a paper for a scientific journal. The completed thesis must be approved by a thesis committee.

Biology Secondary Teacher Preparation Programs
The Biology Teacher Programs prepares students to be teachers of biology in the secondary schools. The course of study is coordinated between the biology major and the Science Education Program. In addition to completing the general biology track in the biology major, prospective biology teachers are required to take courses, as outlined by the Science Education Program to satisfy the current requirements for New York State certification. Biology majors who wish to become teachers in secondary schools are expected to consult with the Science Education Program advisor and select their particular program. 


Biology Minor