Oct 08, 2024  
2024 2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024 2025 Academic Catalog

Biology, B.S.

Location(s): Main Campus


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Dana Hall, Room 214
Telephone: (203) 576-4267

Program Description

The Biology Department offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Arts and a 120-credit Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Students are introduced to laboratory training in General Biology, Ecology, Physiology, Molecular Biology, and most elective courses. Both degrees prepare students to pursue graduate degree programs in education, the biological disciplines, medicine, or allied health professions. Biology students can pursue several concentrations (listed below).

Learning Outcomes

By completing the Biology program, students will:

  1. be able to read and interpret current biological literature, formulate scientific hypotheses, design and execute experiments, and analyze and interpret data.
  2. have mastered the fundamental principles of cell/molecular /organism biology.
  3. have training necessary to apply biological, biomedical and biotechnological principles and techniques to human health and well-being from a holistic/wellness perspective.
  4. have awareness and appreciation of interdisciplinary interactions among other disciplines in the natural sciences, mathematics and cognate fields.
  5. have awareness to appreciate the beauty, complexity and fragility of our biosphere, and the intricate dynamics of balancing systems within the biosphere.
  6. have critical tools to exercise responsibility and stewardship of the biosphere by assuming positions of leadership in our global society.

The Bachelor of Science in Biology is for students who wish to pursue a career that requires further study at the graduate or pro­fessional level. Students interested in scien­tific research or one of the health professions should follow the B.S. degree program.

Summary of Requirements - 120 Credit(s)


General Education Requirements - 40 Credit(s)


Electives - 16 or 17 Credit(s)


Additional Information


  1. Biology and approved cognate courses at the 200 level or higher.
  2. The student must earn a grade of “C” or better in every major course. The student’s overall quality point ratio in major courses must be at least 2.0. If a student earns a grade of “D” or “F” in a course in the major field, he or she retake that course and earn a “C” or better.

Concentrations Within the Bachelor of Arts Degree


Biology students can pursue the following concentrations:

Biomedical Science/Biotechnology


Students are advised to take the following elective courses:

Ecology/Environmental Science


Students are advised to take the following elective courses:

PRE-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT


The Pre-physician Assistant concentration is available to students in the BS Biology Program and the BS Health Science: Pre-Professional program. Biology majors will need 6 elective credits to complete the Pre-PA concentration. The completion of the Pre-PA concentration does NOT guarantee admission or preference of any kind when applying to UB’s PA program.

Additional Information


There are additional recommended Pre-PA activities that you will plan with the Pre-PA advisor, if admitted to the concentration program, that will ensure you are a competitive applicant to a PA program. Students can lose their standing in the Pre-PA concentration if: Their cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for more than one semester, their cumulative Science and Mathematics GPA falls below 3.0 for more than one semester, or they fail to make adequate progress towards the completion of the Pre-PA concentration due to earning a “C-” or lower in more than two of any of the required Pre-PA courses, withdrawing from more than two of any of the required Pre-PA courses, not taking unfulfilled required courses in the Pre-PA track for more than one semester, taking fewer than 15 credits per term for more than two semesters, or failing to complete at least 20 hours of shadowing and at least 750 clinical hours by the time of their degree completion.

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