Biology Major, BS

Campus: NYC, Westchester

Major Completion Summary

Requirement Credits
University Core Requirements 44-55
Major Requirements 42-47
Open Electives 9-23
Total Credits 120

University Core Requirements (44-55 Credits)

See complete University Core requirements.

Note: Various major-required math and science courses listed below may fulfill foundation, area of knowledge, and/or core requirements. Please consult with an academic advisor.

 Major Requirements (42-47 Credits)

Biology Core Courses
BIO 101General Biology I4
BIO 102General Biology II4
BIO 210Ecology4
BIO 231Genetics4
BIO 327Cellular Biochemistry4
BIO 335Molecular and Cellular Biology4
BIO 335AMolecular and Cellular Biology (NYC students only)1
BIO 490Introduction to Research in the Biological Sciences3
BIO 493Major Field Test in Biology0
Select one of the following:3
Independent Study in Biology
Research in Biology
Internship in Biology
Biology Electives
Select one course from each of the following category groups:9-12
Molecular and Cellular Biology Category
Human Disease and Disorders
Plants and People
Microbiology
Advanced Microbiology
Developmental Biology
Neurobiology
Introduction to Basic Pharmacology
Advanced Cell Biology
Topic: Cancer Cell Biology
BIO 399I
Organismal Biology Category
Human Disease and Disorders
Botany
Plants and People
Fundamentals of Histology and Histopathology
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Principles of Human Anatomy
Microbiology
Topic: Medicinal Botany: Plants that Heal
Developmental Biology
General Physiology
General Endocrinology
Immunology
BIO 399I
Biological Systems and Ecology Category
Concepts of Environmental Science
Urban Ecology
Botany
Evolutionary Biology
Microbial Ecology
Animal Behavior
Introduction to Toxicology
Other Required Biology Electives
Select two additional courses from the three preceding groups. At least one of the two courses must be lecture/laboratory course of 4 credits.7-8
Required Math and Science Courses 3, 4
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Calculus I
Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences
PHY Requirement Either Group A or Group B
Group A
College Physics I
College Physics II
Group B
General Physics I
General Physics II
Total Credits47-51
2

Students may fulfill some requirements within their core or open electives.

3

Students should consult with faculty advisor on which physics sequence is most appropriate.

Open Electives (9-23 Credits)

Open Electives
Select 9-23 credits 19-23
Total Credits9-23
1

Open Elective credits must include required science and math courses not taken for University Core credit, UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community (required of incoming freshmen students), and remaining open electives.

General Track

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These cour​ses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
BIO 101 General Biology I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 111 General Chemistry I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 103
Algebra (Or MAT 131)
or Precalculus
3
UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community (STEM Major section) 1
 Credits12
Spring
BIO 102 General Biology II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 112 General Chemistry II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 130
Precalculus (Or CIS 101)
or Calculus I
4
ENG 120 Critical Writing 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
BIO 231 Genetics (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
One Learning Community (LC) course 3
One Learning Community (LC) course 3
 Credits18
Spring
BIO 335 Molecular and Cellular Biology (Writing Enhanced (WE) course. In NYC, take BIO 335 and BIO 335A for 5 credits; in PLV, BIO 335 for 4 credits) 4
CHE 224 Organic Chemistry II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
CIS 101 Introduction to Computing (or Any one remaining Area of Knowledge course. Required Lab carries zero credits) 3
ENG 201 Writing in the Disciplines 3
 Credits15
Third Year
Fall
BIO 327 Cellular Biochemistry 4
BIO 210 Ecology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
PHY 101 College Physics I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
One elective course in BIO 3
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines 3
 Credits18
Spring
BIO 490 Introduction to Research in the Biological Sciences (Writing Intensive (WE) course. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 3
MAT 141 Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences (Counts toward Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) 4
PHY 102 College Physics II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
One elective course in BIO 3
Second Language Course, if applicable 3
 Credits17
Fourth Year
Fall
BIO 395
Independent Study in Biology
or Research in Biology
or Internship in Biology
3
COM 200 Public Speaking 3
BIO 493 Major Field Test in Biology 0
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
One elective course in BIO 4
 Credits13
Spring
One elective course in BIO 4
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
Civic Engagement (CE) course 3
One elective course in BIO 4
 Credits14
 Total Credits123

Biology, BS / Biochemistry & Molecular Biochemistry, MS Track

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These cour​ses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
BIO 101 General Biology I (Writing Enhanced (WE). Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 111 General Chemistry I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 103
Algebra
or Precalculus
or Calculus I
3-4
UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community (STEM Major section) 1
 Credits12-13
Spring
BIO 102 General Biology II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 112 General Chemistry II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 130
Precalculus
or Calculus I
4
ENG 120 Critical Writing 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
BIO 231 Genetics (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
One Learning Community (LC) course 3
One Learning Community (LC) course 3
 Credits15
Spring
BIO 335 Molecular and Cellular Biology (Writing Enhanced (WE) course. In NYC, take BIO 335 and BIO 335A for 5 credits; in PLV, BIO 335 for 4 credits) 4
CHE 224 Organic Chemistry II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
CIS 101 Introduction to Computing (or Any one remaining Area of Knowledge course. Required Lab carries zero credits) 3
ENG 201 Writing in the Disciplines 3
 Credits15
Third Year
Fall
BIO 327 Cellular Biochemistry 4
BIO 210 Ecology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
PHY 101 College Physics I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 141 Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences (Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) 4
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines 3
 Credits19
Spring
BIO 490 Introduction to Research in the Biological Sciences (Writing Intensive (WE) course. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 3
PHY 102 College Physics II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
Second Language Course, if applicable 3
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
BIO 493 Major Field Test in Biology 0
COM 200 Public Speaking 3
BMB 629 Molecular Biochemistry 4
BIO 480 Research in Biology (BIO 395 and BIO 491 cannot substitute for BIO 480 in this track) 3
BMB 626 Cellular Biochemistry and Advanced Molecular Biology 4
BMB 610 Seminar 1
 Credits15
Spring
Civic Engagement (CE) course 3
One elective course in BIO 4
BMB 640 Physical Biochemistry 4
BMB 710 Research I 4
 Credits15
 Total Credits123-124

Pre-Professional, Pre-Med Track

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These cour​ses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
BIO 101 General Biology I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 111 General Chemistry I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 103
Algebra
or Precalculus
or Calculus I
3-4
UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community 1
 Credits12-13
Spring
BIO 102 General Biology II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 112 General Chemistry II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 130
Precalculus
or Calculus I
4
ENG 120 Critical Writing 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
BIO 231 Genetics (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
PHY 101 College Physics I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
Two Learning Community (LC) courses 6
 Credits19
Spring
BIO 335 Molecular and Cellular Biology (Writing Enhanced (WE) course. In NYC, take BIO 335 and BIO 335A for 5 credits; in PLV, BIO 335 for 4 credits) 4
CHE 224 Organic Chemistry II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
PHY 102 College Physics II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
ENG 201 Writing in the Disciplines 3
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
BIO 210 Ecology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 327 Cellular Biochemistry 4
BIO 251 Principles of Human Anatomy 4
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course or CIS 101 3
 Credits15
Spring
BIO 264 Microbiology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 334 General Physiology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 490 Introduction to Research in the Biological Sciences (Writing Enhanced (WE) course. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 3
MAT 141 Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences 4
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall
One elective course in subject BIO 4
BIO 493 Major Field Test in Biology 0
BIO 395
Independent Study in Biology
or Research in Biology
or Internship in Biology
3
PSY 112 Introduction to Psychology (Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) 4
COM 200 Public Speaking 3
 Credits14
Spring
One elective course in subject BIO 4
One Civic Engagement (CE) course 3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
 Credits13
 Total Credits120-121

Pre-Professional, Pre-Occupational Therapy Track

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These cour​ses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENG 110 Composition 3
BIO 101 General Biology I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 111 General Chemistry I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 103
Algebra
or Precalculus
or Calculus I
3-4
UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community 1
 Credits15-16
Spring
BIO 102 General Biology II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 112 General Chemistry II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 130
Precalculus
or Calculus I
or Introduction to Computing
4
ENG 120 Critical Writing 4
PSY 112 Introduction to Psychology (Counts toward Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) 4
 Credits20
Second Year
Fall
BIO 231 Genetics (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
PHY 101 College Physics I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
One Learning Community (LC) course with COM 200 3
COM 200 Public Speaking (Learning Community (LC) ) 3
PSY 320 Abnormal Psychology I 3
 Credits17
Spring
BIO 335 Molecular and Cellular Biology (Writing Enhanced (WE) course. In NYC, take BIO 335 and BIO 335A for 5 credits; in PLV, BIO 335 for 4 credits) 4
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines. Or CIS 101 3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
PHY 102 College Physics II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
ENG 201 Writing in the Disciplines 3
 Credits17
Third Year
Fall
BIO 210 Ecology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 251 Principles of Human Anatomy (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 327 Cellular Biochemistry 4
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course and Civic Engagement (CE) course 3
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines, or Second Language Course if needed 3
 Credits18
Spring
BIO 334 General Physiology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 490 Introduction to Research in the Biological Sciences (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 3
MAT 141 Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences (Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) 4
BIO 493 Major Field Test in Biology 0
BIO 395
Independent Study in Biology (Paired with Area of Knowledge course)
or Research in Biology
or Internship in Biology
3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
 Credits17
Fourth Year
Fall
CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I (In the summer. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
CHE 224 Organic Chemistry II (In the summer. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines, in the summer, if needed 3
Second Language Course, if applicable, in the summer, if needed 3
Fall semester at Columbia University 14
 Credits30
 Total Credits134-135

Pre-Professional, Pre-Pharmacy Track

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These cour​ses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENG 110 Composition 3
BIO 101 General Biology I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 111 General Chemistry I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 103
Algebra
or Algebra
or Precalculus
or Calculus I
3-4
UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community 1
 Credits15-16
Spring
BIO 102 General Biology II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 112 General Chemistry II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 130
Precalculus
or Calculus I
or Introduction to Computing
4
ENG 120 Critical Writing 4
PSY 112 Introduction to Psychology (Counts toward Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) 4
 Credits20
Second Year
Fall
BIO 231 Genetics (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 141 Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences (Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) 4
PHY 101 College Physics I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
COM 200 Public Speaking 3
One Learning Community (LC) course with COM 200 3
 Credits18
Spring
BIO 335 Molecular and Cellular Biology (Writing Enhanced (WE) course. In NYC, take BIO 335 and BIO 335A for 5 credits; in PLV, BIO 335 for 4 credits) 4
CIS 101 Introduction to Computing (Or First Language Course. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 3
PHY 102 College Physics II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
ENG 201 Writing in the Disciplines 3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
 Credits17
Third Year
Fall
BIO 327 Cellular Biochemistry 4
BIO 210 Ecology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 251 Principles of Human Anatomy (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines, or Second Language Course 3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course and Civic Engagement (CE) course 3
 Credits18
Spring
BIO 490 Introduction to Research in the Biological Sciences (Writing Enhanced (WE). Required Lab component carries zero credits) 3
BIO 264 Microbiology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 493 Major Field Test in Biology 0
BIO 334 General Physiology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 395
Independent Study in Biology
or Research in Biology
or Internship in Biology
3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course (Paired with BIO 395, BIO 480, or BIO 491) 3
 Credits17
Fourth Year
Fall
CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I (In the summer. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I (In the summer. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines, or Second Language course (In the summer, if needed)  
Fall credits at Albany College of Pharmacy 21
 Credits31
 Total Credits136-137

Pre-Professional, Pre-Podiatry Track

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These cour​ses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENG 110 Composition 3
BIO 101 General Biology I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 111 General Chemistry I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 103
Algebra
or Precalculus
or Calculus I
3-4
UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community ((STEM Major section)) 1
 Credits15-16
Spring
BIO 102 General Biology II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 112 General Chemistry II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 130
Precalculus
or Calculus I
or Introduction to Computing
4
ENG 120 Critical Writing 4
PSY 112 Introduction to Psychology (Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) 4
 Credits20
Second Year
Fall
BIO 231 Genetics (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
PHY 101 College Physics I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
COM 200 Public Speaking (Learning Community (LC)) 3
One Learning Community (LC) course (with COM 200) 3
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines 3
 Credits17
Spring
BIO 335 Molecular and Cellular Biology (Writing Enhanced (WE) course. In NYC, take BIO 335 and BIO 335A for 5 credits; in PLV, BIO 335 for 4 credits) 4
PHY 102 College Physics II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
ENG 201 Writing in the Disciplines 3
Second Language Course, if applicable 3
CIS 101 Introduction to Computing (If needed) 3
 Credits17
Third Year
Fall
BIO 210 Ecology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 251 Principles of Human Anatomy (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 327 Cellular Biochemistry 4
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge and Civic Engagement (CE) course 3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
 Credits18
Spring
BIO 490 Introduction to Research in the Biological Sciences (Writing Enhanced (WE) course. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 3
MAT 141 Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences (Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) 4
BIO 493 Major Field Test in Biology 0
BIO 334 General Physiology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 395
Independent Study in Biology
or Research in Biology
or Internship in Biology
3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
 Credits17
Fourth Year
Fall
CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I (In the summer. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
CHE 224 Organic Chemistry II (In the summer. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
Fall credits at NY College of Podiatry 19
 Credits29
 Total Credits133-134

Pre-Professional, Pre-Optometry Track

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These cour​ses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENG 110 Composition 3
BIO 101 General Biology I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 111 General Chemistry I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 103
Algebra
or Precalculus
or Calculus I
3-4
UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community ((STEM Major section)) 1
 Credits15-16
Spring
BIO 102 General Biology II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
CHE 112 General Chemistry II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 130
Precalculus
or Calculus I
or Introduction to Computing
4
ENG 120 Critical Writing 4
PSY 112 Introduction to Psychology (Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) 4
 Credits20
Second Year
Fall
BIO 231 Genetics (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
PHY 101 College Physics I (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
MAT 141 Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences (Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) 4
COM 200 Public Speaking ((Learning Community (LC) course) 3
One Learning Community (LC) course 3
 Credits18
Spring
BIO 335 Molecular and Cellular Biology (Writing Enhanced (WE) course. In NYC, take BIO 335 and BIO 335A for 5 credits; in PLV, BIO 335 for 4 credits) 4
CIS 101 Introduction to Computing (Or First Language course. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 3
PHY 102 College Physics II (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
ENG 201 Writing in the Disciplines 3-4
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
 Credits17-18
Third Year
Fall
BIO 210 Ecology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 251 Principles of Human Anatomy (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 327 Cellular Biochemistry 4
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines, or Second Language Course 3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge and Civic Engagement (CE) course  
 Credits15
Spring
BIO 490 Introduction to Research in the Biological Sciences (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 3
BIO 264 Microbiology (Required Lab component carries zero credits) 4
BIO 493 Major Field Test in Biology 0
BIO 334 General Physiology 4
BIO 395
Independent Study in Biology
or Research in Biology
or Internship in Biology
3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course 3
 Credits17
Fourth Year
Fall
CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I (In the summer. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
CHE 224 Organic Chemistry II (In the summer. Required Lab component carries zero credits) 5
First and Second Language courses in the summer, if needed  
Fall credits at SUNY College of Optometry 21
 Credits31
 Total Credits133-135