Biology [BIO] (Major)
The biology major provides a solid foundation in biology yet retains considerable flexibility. Students in this major can prepare for a variety of biology-related employment opportunities or for entry into graduate or professional schools.
Career Potential
- Medical professions
- Environmental biologist
- Research scientist
- Laboratory technologist
- Molecular biologist
A. Biology Courses: 36 credit hours
Example of the B.S. in Biology over four years
First Year
Fall Total credit hours: 16-17
Fall Total credit hours: 15
Fall Total credit hours: 15
Fall Total credit hours: 15-16
- BIO 201 - Biological Sciences I (4 cr. hr.)
- BIO 202 - Biological Sciences II (4 cr. hr.)
- BIO 210 - Cellular Biology (4 cr. hr.)
- BIO 312 - Genetics (4 cr. hr.)
- BIO 319 - Biological Literature (1 cr. hr.)
- BIO 412 - General Ecology (4 cr. hr.)
Biology elective course are defined as biology courses at the BIO 210 level or above open to biology majors.
B. Related Science and Math Courses: 26 credit hours- CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
- CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
- CHE 301 - Organic Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
- MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.)
- PHY 105 - Elementary Mechanics and Heat (4 cr. hr.) and
- PHY 106 - Elementary Electricity, Light and Sound (4 cr. hr.)
or - PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.) and
- PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)
- GLY 281 - Data Analysis in Natural Science (3 cr. hr.) or
- MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.) or
- MAT 201 - Statistical Methods (3 cr. hr.)
- Composition and General Education Courses: 27 credit hours
- Foreign Language Courses: 0-12 credit hours
- Free Elective Courses as needed to complete the 124 credit hour total
Students are required to complete 72 credit hours of science and math courses which may be taken from the following prefixes: BIO, BMS, CAP (except CAP 100 and 104), CHE (except CHE 224, 225, 305 and 306), CON, ENS, GLY, MAT MCS, PHY.
Additional requirements include:
- Composition and General Education Courses: 27 credit hours
- Foreign Language Courses: 0-3 credit hours
- Additional Science or Math: 10 credit hours
- Free Elective Courses as needed to complete the 124 credit hour total
Example of the B.S. in Biology over four years
First Year
Fall Total credit hours: 16-17
- Foreign language or GE course
- BIO 201 - Biological Sciences I (4 cr. hr.)
- CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
- CHE 224 - Problem-Solving in General Chemistry I (1 cr. hr.)
- COR 101 - The Cortland Experience: A First Year Seminar (1 cr. hr.)
- CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.) or
- CPN 102 - Writing Studies in the Community I (4 cr. hr.)
- Foreign language or GE course
- BIO 202 - Biological Sciences II (4 cr. hr.)
- CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
- CHE 225 - Problem-Solving in General Chemistry II (1 cr. hr.)
- CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.) or
- CPN 103 - Writing Studies in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)
Fall Total credit hours: 15
- GE course
- BIO 210 - Cellular Biology (4 cr. hr.)
- BIO 319 - Biological Literature (1 cr. hr.)
- CHE 301 - Organic Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
- GLY 281 - Data Analysis in Natural Science (3 cr. hr.)
- GE course
- Free elective
- GE course or free elective
- BIO 312 - Genetics (4 cr. hr.)
- MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.)
Fall Total credit hours: 15
- Biology elective
- GE course
- Second Biology elective or Science elective
- PHY 105 - Elementary Mechanics and Heat (4 cr. hr.)
- Biology electives
- Science or math elective
- GE course
- PHY 106 - Elementary Electricity, Light and Sound (4 cr. hr.)
Fall Total credit hours: 15-16
- Biology elective
- Science or math elective
- Free elective
- Free elective
- BIO 412 - General Ecology (4 cr. hr.)
- Biology elective
- Biology elective
- GE course
- Free elective
- Free elective
