MAT)

The Biology BS/MAT is an accelerated 5-year program designed for high-achieving Biology majors. It allows students to complete both their Bachelor of Science in Biology and their Master of Arts in Teaching in just ten semesters, saving time and graduate tuition while leading to NYS Initial Teacher Certification (Grades 7–12).

Program Structure

Years 1–3: Students complete the standard Biology B.S. curriculum, including core coursework (BIO 201, 202, 203) and required labs.
Year 4 (Transition): Students begin incorporating graduate-level pedagogy courses. Up to 15 graduate credits can be shared between the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Year 5: Focus shifts entirely to graduate studies, culminating in a semester of supervised student teaching in local secondary schools.

Admission Requirements

Students typically apply during their junior year (5th or 6th semester).

GPA: A minimum cumulative and science GPA of 3.0.
Coursework: Completion of at least 4 science lab courses.
Application: Managed through the School of Professional Development (SPD), including a personal statement and three letters of recommendation.

Administration & Contact

Due to the dual nature of the degrees, students must coordinate with multiple offices:

Program Content & Advising: The Institute for STEM Education (I-STEM) manages the teaching curriculum and transcript reviews.
- Contact: istem@stonybrook.edu | Life Sciences 092
- Dr. Jessica Chen (Jessica.l.chen@stonybrook.edu), Director of Science Teacher Education
- Kristen Vadasz ( Kristen.Vadasz@stonybrook.edu), Director and Advisor of MAT Biology Program
Undergraduate Biology: For major-specific requirements.
- Contact: Rachel Pilero, Lead Undergraduate Biology Advisor (Rachel.Pilero@stonybrook.edu)
Admissions & Certification: The School of Professional Development (SPD) handles the MAT application and the final filing for NYS Teacher Certification.
- Contact: spd@stonybrook.edu

Biology B.S./ Clinical Laboratory Sciences Dual Major

The Biology B.S. offers a dual major with the Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS) program, integrating foundational biological theory with professional medical diagnostics. This pathway prepares students for high-demand careers in hospital laboratories, forensics, and public health.

Key Features

Dual Expertise: Combines a rigorous science curriculum with hands-on clinical rotations.
Certification Ready: Designed to meet requirements for national certification (ASCP) and state licensure.
Career Path: Direct entry into diagnostic medicine, pathology, and pharmaceutical research.

How it Works

You typically spend your first two years completing Biology core requirements (BIO 201, 202, 204, etc.) and Chemistry prerequisites.
Upper Division: Once accepted into the CLS program for your junior year, specific CLS courses (like HAD 403 or HAS 355) are counted back toward your Biology major requirements to help you complete both degrees efficiently.
Admission: Admission is competitive. You need a minimum 2.5 GPA and must complete 57 prerequisite credits (including Microbiology and Organic Chemistry) with a grade of C or better.

Contact Information

If you are planning your schedule, it is highly recommended to reach out to the department directly as the "dual major" sequence is very rigid:

Rachel Pilero: Lead Undergraduate Biology Advisor (for the BIO side of the checklist).
Clinical Lab Sciences Office: Located in the Health Sciences Center (HSC), Level 2, Room 400.