Undergraduate Requirements

Declaring the Biology Major

  1. Review the different major options (BA or BS) below
  2. At advising, let the advisor know that you would like to declare your major (either BA or BS).
  3. Be prepared to provide your B number to review your degreeworks with the advisor

Core requirements for BA and BS degrees

  • Introductory Biology: BIOL 113, 114 and BIOL 115 (or approved equivalent)

  • General Chemistry: CHEM 104, CHEM 105, and CHEM 106 or CHEM 107 and CHEM 108 or CHEM 111

  • Organic Chemistry: CHEM 231, 332

  • Statistics: MATH 147 or 148 or BIOL 437 or BIOL 447 or ANTH 200 or PSYCH 243 or other by approval

  • Math / Science / Physical Science: (8 credits) Choices include: CHEM 221, CHEM 335, CHEM 341, CHEM 351, CS 110, CS 140, ENVI 201, 382, MATH 224, MATH 225, MATH 226, MATH 227, MATH 304, MATH 314, PHYS 121, PHYS 122 (or PHYS 131, PHYS 132), any 100-level GEOL course (only one permitted); other courses in mathematics, the physical sciences and computer science only by approval of faculty advisor.

  • Cell Biology and Genetics Core: BIOL 401 or BIOL 311 or BIOL 332

  • Ecology and Evolution Core: BIOL 351 or BIOL 355 / BIOL 373

CURRENT Biology BA/BS major requirements for students

Biology BA/BS major requirements for students entering PRIOR TO FALL 2018.


Additional requirements for BA degree

Beginning Fall 2018

The B.A. in Biology provides an opportunity to sample widely across our curriculum, work toward a double major, or to pursue a curriculum that is rich in courses offered by other departments. You can follow your interest in liberal arts or pursue a curriculum tailored to the admission requirements for training in medicine and other health-care professions.

12 additional elective credits in BIOL courses numbered 300 and above, where two courses must have a laboratory component, with the following additional stipulations:

  1. No more than four credits may come from the following list: BIOL 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, and 499

  2. Will not be satisfied by BIOL 490-493

  3. A course counting toward the laboratory requirement must be at least two credits

  4. Only one laboratory course requirement may be satisfied by BIOL 495 or 497 or 498

Note: 

  • Except for BIOL 391 and 494-499, no BIOL course taken on the Pass/Fail grading option will fulfill the requirements for the biology major

  • Residency requirement: A minimum of 20 credits in BIOL courses numbered 300-level and above, including the two core courses, must be taken in Harpur College in order to qualify for the BA degree

Total required credits: 60 (or 58 if CHEM 107,108 is used or 54 if CHEM 111 is used). 


Additional requirements for BS degree

Beginning Fall 2018

The B.S. in Biology is appropriate for students who seek more depth and specialization within biology to prepare them for graduate school and lab and field-based careers in biology.

20 additional elective credits in BIOL courses numbered 300 and above, where two courses must have a laboratory component, with the following additional stipulations:

  1. No more than eight credits may come from the following list: BIOL 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, and 499

  2. Will not be satisfied by BIOL 490-493

  3. A course counting toward the laboratory requirement must be at least two credits

  4. Only one laboratory course requirement may be satisfied by BIOL 495 or 497 or 498

Note:

  • Except for BIOL 494-499, no BIOL course taken on the Pass/Fail grading option will fulfill the requirements for the biology major

  • Residency requirement: A minimum of 28 credits in BIOL courses numbered 300-level and above, including the two core courses, must be taken in Harpur College in order to qualify for the BS degree

Total required credits: 68 (or 66 if CHEM 107,108 is used or 62 if CHEM 111 is used).


Have Questions?


For Further Information

Undergraduate Co-Director/Advising:

K. Horwath
khorwath@binghamton.edu
607-777-4395
Science 2, 537

Undergraduate Co-Director:

Carol Miles
cmiles@binghamton.edu
607-777-4496
Science 2, 535