ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

< Back to Program List

Undergraduate: Biology

  • Program Overview

    The Undergraduate Biology Program

    Biology is the study of organisms, including the molecular and cellular basis of life, development of the individual and its genetic basis, maintenance of the individual, and interaction of organisms with their biotic and physical environment.

    Undergraduate Biology offers both Bachelor of Sciences (BS) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree programs in Biology. Both degree programs build on a strong foundation in chemistry, mathematics and physics that provides the concepts and methodologies needed to understand biological complexity at multiple levels. Students explore the Fundamentals of Biology through three foundational courses that provide a thorough introduction to organisms, ecosystems, cellular and molecular biology, and physiology. These courses are complemented by an innovative two-semester, inquiry-based biology laboratory curriculum designed to develop skills in the collection and analysis of data from biological experiments, including explorations into the primary scientific literature and capstone student-designed experiments on human physiology. For the BS degree this core foundation is followed by advanced course and laboratory work that includes an in depth program of study in an area of Specialization along with complementary studies that ensure breadth of exposure to other areas of biology. These Specializations include Developmental Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Environmental Biology, Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences, Neuroscience, Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics, and Bioengineering. The BIO BA program involves fewer advanced courses in biology but instead requires completion of a non-overlapping minor in the College of Arts and Sciences. The BA provides an option for students interested in careers that build on foundational knowledge in the biosciences who also have strong interests in areas such as the fine arts, humanities or social sciences. The BS program is most appropriate for students interested in graduate studies in the biological sciences or technical positions in industry, including biotechnology, government agencies, and research institutes. Both programs provide excellent preparation for professional careers in the health sciences.

    Students in the Biology BA or BS programs may not declare a double major among Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Marine Sciences and Marine Vertebrate Biology.  A double major in Biology and Human Evolutionary Biology requires a certain course combination in the Human Evolutionary Biology electives as specified in the requirements for the EBH major. 

    Information related to the BIO major and minor is available from the Undergrad­uate Biology Office and website: http://www.stonybrook.edu/biology. The office processes completed forms and petitions concerning the Biology major and minor and all requests for evaluations of transferred biology courses. The Undergraduate Biology office also coordinates advising, BIO course administration and registration and processes graduation clearances for BIO major and minor requirements.

    Most students majoring in biology prepare for professional study in the biological or health sciences. Some prepare for secondary school teaching, and others for technical positions in industry, including biotechnology, government agencies, and research institutes.

     

     

     

  • Degrees and Requirements

    Biology Undergraduate Degree Options

    Undergraduate Biology offers both Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in Biology, along with a minor in Biology.

    Students in the Biology BA or BS programs may not declare a double major among Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Marine Sciences and Marine Vertebrate Biology.   A double major in Biology and Human Evolutionary Biology requires a certain course combination in the Human Evolutionary Biology electives as specified in the requirements for the EBH major.

    Requirements for the Major in Biology B.A. (BIO)

    Completion of the B.A. major in Biology requires a minimum of 55 credits for the major, along with a required minor (18-24 credits). All foundational courses in related fields must be taken for a letter grade; courses taken under the Pass/No Credit option will not count towards completion of the major, with the exception of the Spring 2020 semester. All core and advanced courses in biology must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C or higher. At least one semester of the two-semester sequences of required courses in general chemistry lecture, organic chemistry lecture, and physics lecture/lab must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. The organic chemistry lab must be passed with a C or higher.

    A. Foundational Courses in Related Fields

    1. Chemistry Sequence Lecture Options:

    2. Chemistry Sequence Laboratory Options

    3. Organic Chemistry Lecture Options

    • CHE 321CHE 322 Organic Chemistry I and IIA OR CHE 321CHE 326 Organic Chemistry I and IIB OR CHE 331, 332 Molecular Science II and III 

    4. Organic Chemistry Lecture Options

    • CHE 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory OR CHE 383 Introductory Synthetic and Spectroscopic Laboratory Techniques

    5. Calculus Course Options

    If students do not place into MAT 125 or higher on the basis of the math placement examination,  MAT 123 (or MAT 119/MAT 123) is a required course for the major.

    6. Physics Sequence Options

    If students select one of the Classical Physics options (PHY 125/PHY 126/PHY 127/PHY 133/PHY 134 or PHY 131/PHY 132/PHY 133/PHY 134 or PHY 141/PHY 142/PHY 133/PHY 134),  hen a mathematics course at the level of Calculus B (AMS 161,  MAT 126,  MAT 132,  MAT 142, or  MAT 171) or higher is required  for the major.

    7. Statistics Course Options

    • BIO 211 Statistics and Data Analysis OR AMS 110 Probability and Statistics in Life Sciences OR AMS 310 Survey of Probability and Statistics or EBH 230 Computer-based Biostatistics

    Students who transfer in AMS 102 from another institution with a grade of ‘A’ or higher will receive credit for the statistics course.

    B. Core Courses in Biology

    1. BIO 201 Fundamental of Biology; Organisms to Ecosystems
    2. BIO 202 Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology
    3. BIO 203 Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology
    4. BIO 204 and BIO 205 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I and II OR BIO 204 and BIO 207 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences  I and IIB

    C. Advanced Courses in Biology
       
     
    At least one of the following 3 credit upper division BIO courses:

    1. BIO 320 General Genetics
    2. BIO 321 Ecological Genetics and Genomics
    3. BIO 354 Evolution
    4. EBH 302 Human Genetics

    D. Advanced Biology Electives

    Two additional upper division BIO courses. Research, readings, teaching practica and internship courses cannot be used to satisfy upper-division BIO course requirements. Students cannot take both BIO 320 and BIO 321 for biology major credit. Only one of these courses may be taken for biology major credit.  

    E. Approved Liberal Arts Minor within the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Communication and Journalism

    Completion of a Minor within the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Communication and Journalism with no more than a 3 credit overlap with the major requirements for the BIO B.A. The list of approved minors for the Biology BA can be found on Undergraduate Biology’s website  here.


    F. Upper-Division Writing Requirement

    Registration: The Upper Division Writing Requirement for the Biology major is consistent with the University Graduation Requirements for General Education, and successful completion will satisfy the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) learning outcomes for "Write Effectively within One's Discipline" (WRTD). In order to satisfy the Upper-Division Writing requirement for the major in Biology, students must co-register for the 0-credit BIO 459 course with an approved advanced course as listed below. Students must enroll in BIO 459 at the same time that they are registering for the respective advanced course. To receive a satisfactory grade in BIO 459 and WRTD credit, either a lab report or term paper from the advanced course must be submitted prior to the end of the term.

    How to submit writing sample: After submitting their lab report or term paper for BIO course credit in their respective courses, students should submit the exact same document to the BIO 459 Brightspace course assignments for writing evaluation. We encourage submission of writing samples early in the semester to allow time for review and revision if needed.

    Review of writing sample: The Program in Writing and Rhetoric will evaluate the BIO 459 submission and will contact the student directly if remedial efforts are needed. Satisfactory completion of BIO 459 will fulfill the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) “Writing in the Discipline” WRTD learning objectives. If the writing assignment is initially found to be unsatisfactory, the student will be instructed by the Program in Writing and Rhetoric before resubmitting a revised version of their original paper. If, in lieu of making revisions, a student chooses to submit a paper from another course that routinely offers a BIO 459 assignment, they should not enroll in BIO 459 again. To allow for evaluation and possible revision of their writing sample, students are urged to complete their upper division writing requirement in their junior year or by the end of their next-to-last semester. Completion of the upper division writing requirement in the final semester is considered but may delay graduation clearance.

    Courses that routinely offer assignments that can satisfy the BIO 459 WRTD learning outcomes:

    • BIO 312
    • BIO 320
    • BIO 321
    • BIO 327
    • BIO 335
    • BIO 336
    • BIO 344
    • BIO 352
    • BIO 353
    • BIO 354
    • BIO 364
    • BIO 365
    • BIO 366
    • BIO 367
    • BIO 385
    • BIO 386
    • EBH 302 

    Application of Transfer Credits to the Biology BA Requirements:

    Core biology courses taken elsewhere apply to major requirements only if listed as equivalent to a Stony Brook course in the official Stony Brook Transfer Course Database maintained by Academic and Transfer Advising Services. Transfer students may satisfy the requirements for courses in related fields with transferred courses, if the courses are approved as being equivalent. Upper-division or upper-division equivalent courses taken elsewhere and transferred to Stony Brook can satisfy the requirement for BIO 320BIO 321BIO 354 or EBH 302 for the Biology BA; however, students must still take three advanced courses (300-level BIO courses) here at Stony Brook.

    Requirements for the Major in Biology B.S. (BIO)

    Completion of the B.S. major in Biology requires a minimum of 70 credits, including foundational courses in chemistry, mathematics and physics. All of these foundational courses in related fields must be taken for a letter grade; courses taken under the Pass/No Credit option will not count towards completion of the major, with the exception of the Spring 20 semester. At least one semester of the two-semester sequences of required courses in calculus, general chemistry lecture, organic chemistry lecture, and physics lecture/lab must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. The organic chemistry lab must be passed with a C or higher. Completion of the BIO major requires completion of the foundational courses in related fields, core curriculum and a minimum of 20 credits of advanced courses in biology. A list of advanced courses in biology from other Departments that are accepted for Biology major credit is provided below. All core and advanced courses in biology, including advanced courses in biology from other departments, must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C or higher with the exception of 400 level Reading and Research courses that are graded on an S/U basis. Biology majors must meet the major requirements as published in the official undergraduate Bulletin for the semester in which the student declares the major or minor. Requests for a waiver of major or minor requirements may be granted at the discretion of faculty.

    A. Foundational Courses in Related Fields

    1. Chemistry Sequence Lecture Options

    2. Chemistry Sequence Laboratory Options

    • CHE 133CHE 134 General Chemistry Laboratory I and II, OR CHE 154 Molecular Science Lab I Organic Chemistry Lecture Options

    3. Organic Chemistry Lecture Options 

    • CHE 321CHE 322 Organic Chemistry I and IIA OR CHE 321CHE 326 Organic Chemistry I and IIB OR  CHE 331, 332 Molecular Science II and III 

    4. Organic Chemistry Laboratory Options

    • CHE 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory OR CHE 383 Introductory Synthetic and Spectroscopic Laboratory Techniques

    5. Calculus Sequence Options

    If students do not place into MAT 125 or higher on the basis of the math placement examination,  MAT 123 (or MAT 119/MAT 123) is a required course for the major.

    6. Physics Sequence Options

    7. Statistics Course Options

    • BIO 211 Statistics and Data Analysis OR AMS 110 Probability and Statistics in Life Sciences OR AMS 310 Survey of Probability and Statistics or EBH 230 Computer-based Biostatistics

    Students who transfer in AMS 102 from another institution with a grade of ‘A’ or higher will receive credit for the statistics course.

    B. Core Courses in Biology

    1. BIO 201 Fundamental of Biology; Organisms to Ecosystems
    2. BIO 202 Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology
    3. BIO 203 Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology
    4. BIO 204 and BIO 205 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I and IIA or BIO 204 and BIO 207 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences IIB

    C. Advanced Courses in Biology

    Programs of study in the Biology major are organized into 6 Specializations that promote in-depth explorations of different areas while also insuring a breadth of exposure to other areas in the biological sciences. DECLARING A SPECIALIZATION IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE BIOLOGY BS. The standard program of study includes 5 Advanced BIO lecture courses and 2 advanced BIO laboratory courses for a total of 20 advanced BIO credits. The specific program of advanced courses is dependent on the area of Specialization, and may also include the option to use advanced elective courses from other Departments to count towards the Biology major. The 6 Specializations are: Developmental Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Environmental Biology, Interdisciplinary Biology, Neuroscience, and Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics. There is also a special degree program for students who choose to double major in Biology and Clinical Laboratory Sciences; if students would like to pursue this double major, please speak with a biology advisor. The requirements for each Specialization are provided after the list of Advanced BIO courses. A complete list of Advanced Courses from other Departments that are accepted for the Biology Major credit is provided after the requirements for the different Specializations.

    Students cannot take both BIO 320 and BIO 321 for biology major credit. Only one of these courses may be taken for biology major credit.  

    Advanced BIO Courses: 

    Area I: Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology:

    • BIO 306 Principles of Virology (Lecture)
    • BIO 310 Cell Biology (Lecture)
    • BIO 312 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • BIO 314 Cancer Biology (Lecture)
    • BIO 316 Molecular Immunology (Lecture)
    • BIO 320 General Genetics (Lecture)
    • BIO 361 Biochemistry I (Lecture)
    • BIO 362 Biochemistry II (Lecture)
    • BIO 364 Laboratory Techniques in Cancer Biology (Laboratory)
    • BIO 365 Biochemistry Laboratory (Laboratory)
    • BIO 368 Food Microbiology (Lecture)
    • AMS 333 Mathematical Biology (Lecture)
    • BIO 511 Topics in Biotechnology (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • BME 304 Genetic Engineering (Lecture)
    • BME 404 Essentials of Tissue Engineering (Lecture)
    • CHE 346 Biomolecular Structure and Reactivity (Lecture)
    • EBH 302 Human Genetics (Lecture, previously crosslisted with BIO 302)
    • EBH 370 Advanced Human Genetics (Lecture with Laboratory, previously crosslisted with BIO 303) 

    Area II: Neurobiology and Physiology

    • BIO 317 Principles of Cellular Signaling (Lecture)
    • BIO 328 Mammalian Physiology (Lecture)
    • BIO 332 Computational Modeling of Physiological Systems (Lecture)
    • BIO 334 Principles of Neurobiology (Lecture)
    • BIO 335 Neurobiology Laboratory (Laboratory)
    • BIO 337 Neurotransmission and Neuromodulation: Implications for Brain Function (Lecture)
    • BIO 338 From Synapse to Circuit: Selforganization of the Brain (Lecture)
    • BIO 339 Molecular Development of the Nervous System (Lecture)
    • BIO 347 Introduction to Neural Computation (Lecture)
    • BIO 369 Animal Nutrition (Lecture)
    • BCP 401 Principles of Pharmacology (Lecture)
    • BME 301 Biophotonics (Lecture)
    • BME 303 Biomechanics (Lecture)
    • EBH 316 The Evolution of the Human Brain (Lecture, previously listed as ANP 316)
    • EBH 331 Hormones and Behavior (Lecture)  

    Area III: Organisms

    • BIO 315 Microbiology (Lecture)
    • BIO 325 Animal Development (Lecture)
    • BIO 327 Developmental Genetics Laboratory (Laboratory)
    • BIO 341 Plant Diversity (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • BIO 342 Invertebrate Zoology (Lecture)
    • BIO 343 Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory (Laboratory)
    • BIO 344 Chordate Zoology (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • BIO 348 Diversity and Evolution of Reptiles and Amphibians (Lecture)
    • BIO 366 Molecular Microbiology Laboratory (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • BIO 380 Entomology (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • BIO 515 Current Topics in Microbiology (Laboratory)
    • MAR 370 Marine Mammals (Lecture)
    • MAR 375 Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rehabilitation (Lecture)
    • MAR 376 Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles (Lecture)
    • MAR 377 Biology and Conservation of Seabirds (Lecture)
    • MAR 380 Ichthyology (Lecture with Laboratory) 

    Area IV: Ecology and Evolution

    • BIO 319 Landscape Ecology Laboratory (Laboratory)
    • BIO 321 Introduction to Ecological Genetics and Genomics (Lecture)
    • BIO 336 Conservation Biology (Lecture)
    • BIO 350 Darwinian Medicine (Lecture)
    • BIO 351 Ecology (Lecture)
    • BIO 352 Ecology Laboratory (Laboratory)
    • BIO 353 Marine Ecology (Lecture)
    • BIO 354 Evolution (Lecture)
    • BIO 356 Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology Laboratory (Laboratory)
    • BIO 358 Biology and Human Social and Sexual Behavior (Lecture)
    • BIO 367 Molecular Diversity Laboratory (Laboratory)
    • BIO 371 Restoration of Aquatic Systems (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • BIO 383 Paleobiology (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • BIO 385 Plant Ecology (Lecture)
    • BIO 386 Ecosystem Ecology and the Global Environment (Lecture)
    • ANP 304 Modern and Ancient Environments of Eastern Africa (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • ANP 305 Vertebrate Paleontology of the Turkana Basin (Laboratory)
    • ANP 306 Paleoanthropological Discoveries of the Turkana Basin (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • ANP 307 Comparing Ecosystems in Madagascar (Lecture)
    • ANP 325 Primate Behavior (Lecture)
    • ANP 326 Lemurs of Madagascar (Lecture)
    • ANP 350 Methods of Studying Primates (Lecture)
    • ANP 351 Biodiversity Assessment Methods for Tropical Field Research (Lecture)
    • ANP 360 Primate Conservation (Lecture)
    • ANP 391 Topics in Physical Anthropology (Lecture)
    • EBH 359 Behavioral Ecology (Lecture) (formerly BIO 359)
    • EBH 380 Genomics (Lecture)
    • EBH 381 Genomics Laboratory (Lecture with Laboratory, previously crosslisted with BIO 305)
    • ENS 311 Ecosystem Ecology and the Global Environment (Lecture, not for credit in addition to BIO 386)
    • MAR 301 Environmental Microbiology (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • MAR 302 Marine Microbiology and Microbial Ecology (Lecture, not for credit in addition to MAR 301)
    • MAR 303 Long Island Marine Habitats (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • MAR 305 Experimental Marine Biology (Laboratory)
    • MAR 315 Marine Conservation (Lecture)
    • MAR 320 Limnology (Lecture with Laboratory)
    • MAR 366 Plankton Ecology (Lecture)
    • MAR 373 Marine Apex Predators: Ecology and Conservation (Lecture)
    • MAR 384 Diseases of Aquatic Organisms (Lecture)
    • MAR 386 Ecosystem Science for Fisheries Management (Lecture)
    • MAR 388 Tropical Marine Ecology (Lecture with Laboratory)

    Environmental Biology (May only be used for the Environmental Biology Specialization)

    • ATM 305 Global Atmospheric Change (Lecture)
    • ATM 397 Air Pollution and its Control (Lecture)
    • MAR 318 Engineering Geology and Coastal Processes (Lecture)
    • MAR 333 Coastal Oceanography (Lecture) 

    Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization in Developmental Genetics

    1. BIO 325 Animal Development 
    2. BIO 320 General Genetics, or BIO 321 Introduction to Ecological Genetics and Genomics 
    3. BIO 327 Developmental Genetics Laboratory 
    4. At least one of the following six courses:
    • BIO 310 Cell Biology
    • BIO 314 Cancer Biology
    • BIO 317 Principles of Cellular Signaling
    • BIO 339 Molecular Development of the Nervous System
    • BIO 354 Evolution
    • EBH 302 Human Genetics (previously cross-listed with BIO 302)
    • EBH 380 Genomics (previously cross-listed with BIO 304) 
    1. Two additional advanced BIO lecture courses including at least one from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), or Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology) or Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO Major credit in these three areas.
    2. One additional advanced BIO laboratory course from any of the four areas of BIO courses or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these four areas. Note, the elective advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course.
    3. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

    Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization in Ecology and Evolution

    1. BIO 351 Ecology 
    2. BIO 354 Evolution 
    3. One additional advanced BIO lecture course and one advanced BIO laboratory course from either Area III (Organisms), or Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments that are accepted for BIO major credit in these two areas. 
      Note: 4 credit courses identified as a Lecture with Laboratory may be used to satisfy both requirements. 
    4. Two additional advanced BIO lecture courses including at least one course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), or Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these two areas. 
    5. One advanced BIO laboratory course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology), or Area III (Organisms) or from the list of advanced laboratory courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these three areas. Note, the elective advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course.
    6. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

    Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization  in Environmental Biology

    1. BIO 351 Ecology 
    2. One advanced BIO laboratory course from Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced laboratory courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in this area.
    3. Two additional advanced BIO courses from Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) that may include at most one of the advanced courses in Environmental Biology offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit. 
    4. Two additional advanced BIO lecture courses including at least one course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), or Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these two areas. 
    5. One advanced BIO laboratory course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology), or Area III (Organisms) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these three areas. Note, the elective advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course. 
    6. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

    Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization in Interdisciplinary Biology

    1. At least one advanced BIO lecture Course in Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), and Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology), and Area III (Organisms), and Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these four areas. 
      2. Two advanced BIO laboratory courses chosen from two of the four different areas of advanced courses or advanced courses from other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these four areas. Note, one advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course. 
      3. A second advanced BIO lecture course in one of the four areas of advanced biology courses or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit. 
      4. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

    Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization in Neuroscience

    1. BIO 334 Principles of Neurobiology
    2. BIO 335 Neurobiology Laboratory 
    3. Two courses from the following list:
    1. Two additional advanced BIO lecture courses including at least one course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), or Area III (Organisms), or Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these three areas. 
    2. One advanced BIO laboratory course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), or Area III (Organisms), or Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these three areas. Note, the elective advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course. 
    3. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

    Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics

    Unlike other specializations, the Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Specialization requires completion of foundational courses in mathematics that cover differential equations.

    1. MAT 127 Calculus C, or MAT 132 Calculus II, or MAT 142 Honors Calculus II, or AMS 161 Applied Calculus II 
    2. AMS 333 Mathematical Biology 
    3. BIO 332 Computational Modeling of Physiological Systems 
    4. BIO 312 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology 
    5. At least one of the following five courses:
    • BIO 317 Principles of Cellular Signaling
    • BIO 320 General Genetics
    • BIO 321 Introduction to Ecological Genetics and Genomics
    • CHE 346 Biomolecular Structure and Reactivity
    • EBH 380 Genomics (previously cross-listed with BIO 304) 
    1. Two additional advanced BIO lecture courses, including at least one course from either Area III (Organisms), or Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO Major credit in these four areas. 
    2. One additional advanced BIO laboratory course from any of the four areas of BIO courses or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO Major credit in these four areas. Note, the elective advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course. 
    3. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

    D. Upper-Division Writing Requirement

    Registration: The Upper Division Writing Requirement for the Biology major is consistent with the University Graduation Requirements for General Education, and successful completion will satisfy the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) learning outcomes for "Write Effectively within One's Discipline" (WRTD). In order to satisfy the Upper-Division Writing requirement for the major in Biology, students must co-register for the 0-credit BIO 459 course with an approved advanced course as listed below. Students must enroll in BIO 459 at the same time that they are registering for the respective advanced course. To receive a satisfactory grade in BIO 459 and WRTD credit, either a lab report or term paper from the advanced course must be submitted prior to the end of the term.

    How to submit writing sample: After submitting their lab report or term paper for BIO course credit in their respective courses, students should submit the exact same document to the BIO 459 Brightspace course assignments for writing evaluation. We encourage submission of writing samples early in the semester to allow time for review and revision if needed.

    Review of writing sample: The Program in Writing and Rhetoric will evaluate the BIO 459 submission and will contact the student directly if remedial efforts are needed. Satisfactory completion of BIO 459 will fulfill the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) “Writing in the Discipline” WRTD learning objectives. If the writing assignment is initially found to be unsatisfactory, the student will be instructed by the Program in Writing and Rhetoric before resubmitting a revised version of their original paper. If, in lieu of making revisions, a student chooses to submit a paper from another course that routinely offers a BIO 459 assignment, they should not enroll in BIO 459 again. To allow for evaluation and possible revision of their writing sample, students are urged to complete their upper division writing requirement in their junior year or by the end of their next-to-last semester. Completion of the upper division writing requirement in the final semester is considered but may delay graduation clearance.

    Courses that routinely offer assignments that can satisfy the BIO 459 WRTD learning outcomes:

    • BIO 312
    • BIO 320
    • BIO 321
    • BIO 327
    • BIO 335
    • BIO 336
    • BIO 344
    • BIO 352
    • BIO 353
    • BIO 354
    • BIO 364
    • BIO 365
    • BIO 366
    • BIO 367
    • BIO 385
    • BIO 386
    • EBH 302
    • EBH 380 

    Application of Transfer Credits to the Biology BS Requirements

    Biology courses taken elsewhere apply to major requirements only if listed as equivalent to a Stony Brook course in the official Stony Brook Transfer Course Database maintained by Academic and Transfer Advising Services. Transfer students must take at least 15 credits of required core and advanced biology at Stony Brook in courses for majors at the 200 level or higher. At least 12 of the 15 credits must be in BIO-designator courses. Both of the two advanced laboratory experiences must be taken at Stony Brook. Transfer students may satisfy the requirements for courses in related fields with transferred courses, if the courses are approved as being equivalent.

    Honors Programs in Biology and in Biology and Society

    Graduation with Honors in Biology or in Biology and Society requires the following:

    1. A cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher in all courses required for the major.
    2. Presentation of an acceptable thesis based on a project involving independent research for credit in an approved Research or Internship Course for at least two semesters written in the form of a paper for a scientific journal. A student interested in becoming a candidate for honors should submit a completed Honors Application to the Undergraduate Biology office as early as possible but no later than the second week of classes in the last semester (form available at: http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/biology/advising/Forms.html). On the application the student identifies the research project and provides an endorsement from their faculty research sponsor along with recommended names of at least two additional faculty members who have agreed to evaluate the written thesis, including at least one faculty member from a department different from that of the research sponsor. Applications approved by the Biology Program are returned to the student for inclusion with the completed thesis research project. The student must present a copy of the finished thesis along with a completed application form indicating written approval by their research sponsor and the two readers at least one week prior to the date of graduation.

    Approved Research and Internship Courses:

    • BIO 484 Research in Biology and Society
    • BIO 486 Research in Neurobiology and Physiology
    • BIO 487 Research in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
    • BIO 488 Internship in Biological Sciences
    • BIO 489 Research in Ecology and Evolution
    • MAR 487 Research in Marine Sciences (Environmental Biology Specialization only)
    • MAR 488 Internship in Marine Sciences (Environmental Biology Specialization only)
    • ATM 487 Research in Atmospheric Sciences (Environmental Biology Specialization only)
    • BME 499 Research in Bioengineering (Biomedical Engineering Specialization only)

    Requirements for the Minor in Biology (BIO)

    Only students with majors other than Biology, Biochemistry, Human Evolutionary Biology, Pharmacology, Marine Sciences or Marine Vertebrate Biology may elect the Biology minor. Completion of the minor requires at least 20 credits in BIO courses de­signed for the Biology major. All courses for the minor must be taken for a letter grade and must be passed with a grade of C or higher, including at least 9 credits at the 300 level. All advanced courses for the minor must be in BIO-designator courses taken at Stony Brook. The specific course requirements for the BIO minor are:

    1. At least two of the following courses:
    • BIO 201 Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems
    • BIO 202 Fundamentals of Biology: Cell and Molecular Biology
    • BIO 203 Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology
    1. Both BIO 204 and BIO 205 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I and IIA or BIO 204 and BIO 207 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I and IIB
    2. Advanced lecture, laboratory or lecture/laboratory courses in at least two of the four areas of inquiry (I-IV) listed under the biology major. Only courses with BIO indicators are accepted for the Biology minor with the exception of: EBH 302EBH 370EBH 359EBH 380EBH 381.
    3. At least nine credits of 300 level BIO courses. Note, a grade of Satisfactory in at most two credits of biology independent research (BIO 484BIO 486BIO 487BIO 489) and at most one credit of tutorial readings (BIO 444BIO 446BIO 447BIO 449) may be applied toward the minor.

    Biology Secondary Teacher Education Program

    See the Education and Teacher Certifi­cation entry in the alphabetical listings of Approved Majors, Minors, and Programs.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Sequence

    Sample Course Sequence for the Major in Biology, B.A. 

    For more information about SBC courses that fulfill major requirements, click here.

    FRESHMAN

    FALL Credits
    First Year Seminar 101 1
    WRT 101 3
    CHE 131
    CHE 133  1
    MAT 125  
     3
    SBC  3
    Total 15
     
    SPRING Credits
    First Year Seminar 102 1
    WRT 102 3
    CHE 132 4
    CHE 134 1
    AMS 110 or BIO 211 3-4
    BIO 201 3
     Total  15-16
     
    SOPHOMORE

    FALL Credits
    CHE 321  4
    BIO 202 or BIO 203 3
    course for minor 3
    SBC  3
     Total  13
     
    SPRING Credits
    CHE 322  4
    CHE 327  2
    BIO 202 or BIO 203  3
    course for minor 3
    BIO 3xx elective  3
     Total  15
     
    JUNIOR

    FALL Credits
    BIO 204  3
    PHY 121  4
    course for minor 3
    SBC  3
    elective  3
     Total  16
     
    SPRING Credits
    BIO 205 or BIO 207 2
    BIO 3XX elective 3
    PHY 122 3
    upper-division course for minor 3
    SBC 3
    SBC  3
     Total  17
     
    SENIOR

    FALL Credits
    BIO 3xx elective
    upper-division course for minor 3
    SBC  3
    upper-division elective 3
    upper-division elective  3
     Total 15
     
    SPRING Credits
    upper-division course for minor  3 
    SBC 3
    upper-division elective  3 
    upper-division elective  3
    elective  3
      Total  15

     

     

    Sample Course Sequence for the Major in Biology, B.S. 

    For more information about SBC courses that fulfill major requirements, click here.

    FRESHMAN

    FALL Credits
    First Year Seminar 101 1
    WRT 101 3
    CHE 131 or CHE 129 & CHE 130 4 or 5
    CHE 133  1
    MAT 125 or MAT 131 or AMS 151
     3
    SBC  3
    Total 15-16
     
    SPRING Credits
    First Year Seminar 102 1
    WRT 102 3
    CHE 132 4
    CHE 134 1
    BIO 201 or BIO 202
    MAT 126 or MAT 132 or AMS
    161
    3
     Total  15
     
    SOPHOMORE

    FALL Credits
    CHE 321  4
    BIO 203 3
    BIO 204  2
    SBC  3
    SBC  3
     Total  15
     
    SPRING Credits
    CHE 322  4
    BIO 202 or BIO 202  3
    BIO 205 or BIO 207  2
    CHE 327  2
    SBC  3
     Total  14
     
    JUNIOR

    FALL Credits
    Advanced BIO Lecture  3
    PHY 121 or PHY 131 & PHY 133  4
    AMS 110 or BIO 211  3
    SBC  3
    SBC  3
     Total  16
     
    SPRING Credits
    PHY 122 or PHY 132 & PHY 134
    Advanced BIO Lecture 3
    Advanced BIO Lecture 3
    SBC 3
    SBC  3
     Total  15-16
     
    SENIOR

    FALL Credits
    Advanced BIO Lecture
    Advanced BIO Lab  2-3
    Upper-division  Elective  3
    SBC 3
    SBC  3
     Total 14-15
     
    SPRING Credits
    Advanced BIO Lecture  3 
    Advanced BIO Lab 2-3
    Upper-division Elective  3 
    Upper-division Elective  3
    Upper-division Elective  3
      Total  14-15

     

  • Contact

    Biology (BIO)

    Majors and Minor in Biology

    Departments of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Neurobiology and Behavior, and Undergraduate Biology Program; College of Arts and Sciences

    Minors of particular interest to students in the Biology B.S. major: Biomaterials (BES), Bioengineering (BNG), Chemistry (CHE), Environmental Studies (ENS), Health and Wellness (LHW), Science and Engineering (LSE), Writing and Rhetoric (WRT)

    The list of approved minors for the Biology B.A. can be found on the Biology B.A. webpage.

    The Undergraduate Biology Program

    Director: John Peter Gergen
    Assistant Director: Kaitlyn Cozier
    Advisors:  Rachel Pilero, Edward Bossong
    Schedule advising appointments online through Navigate
    Office: Biology Learning Laboratories, Undergraduate Biology Office Suite, Rooms 104-112
    Program Secretary: Lynette Giordano
    Phone: (631) 632-8530
    Website: http://www.stonybrook.edu/biology 

    Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
    Chair: Wali Karzai
    Assistant to the Chair: Carol Juliano
    Website: http://www.stonybrook.edu/biochem

    Department of Ecology and Evolution
    Chair: Resit Akcakaya
    Assistant to the Chair: Donna DiGiovanni
    Website: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/ecoevo/

    Department of Neurobiology and Behavior
    Chair: Alfredo Fontanini
    Assistant to the Chair: Catherine Costanzo
    Website: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/neurobiology/ 

  • Courses
top
©