Upper Division Writing Requirement (WRTD)

Applicable Majors: Biology (B.S. and B.A.) and Biochemistry (BCH)

All students in these majors must satisfy the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) "Write Effectively within One's Discipline" (WRTD) requirement by completing BIO 459.

1. Registration Process

To fulfill the requirement, you must follow these registration steps:

Co-registration: You must register for the 0-credit BIO 459 course simultaneously with an approved advanced BIO course (see the list below).

2. How to Submit Your Writing Sample

Complete the google form on the BIO 459 brightspace page, indicating the assignment you would like to have evaluated. ( You will only receive access to the google form if you are enrolled in BIO 459 in that current semester)
Complete your lab report or term paper for your advanced BIO course.

*Pro-tip: Choose an assignment with an a deadline that is earlier in the semester to allow time for potential revisions

3. Review and Evaluation

The Program in Writing and Rhetoric evaluates all BIO 459 submissions.

If Satisfactory: You will fulfill the WRTD learning objectives and receive a passing grade.
If Unsatisfactory: You will receive instructions for remedial efforts and must submit a revised version of your original paper.

Approved Courses for BIO 459

The following courses routinely offer assignments that satisfy the WRTD learning outcomes:

Area	Course Number	Course Type
Area 1	BIO 312, BIO 364, BIO 365, EBH 302	Lecture, Lab, or Combined
Area 1	BIO 320	Lecture
Area 2	BIO 335	Lab
Area 3	BIO 327, BIO 344, BIO 366	Lab or Combined
Area 4	BIO 321, BIO 336, BIO 353, BIO 354, BIO 385, BIO 386	Lecture
Area 4	BIO 352, BIO 356, BIO 367	Lab