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Nov 21, 2024
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Biological Sciences BS
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What could be more fascinating than studying living things, how they evolve, and how they interact with the world around them? Whether you’re interested in human health, the environment and sustainability, food security, or nearly any topic that affects life on this planet, you’ll find students and faculty at UB who are just as excited as you are. This major is ideal for anyone who wants a major that covers a variety of disciplines to prepare for a career in life sciences.
Visit the Biological Sciences academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.
Visit the Biological Sciences department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.
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Biological Sciences Core (44 credits)
Lab Courses
Choose 4 Lab Courses (8 credits minimum):
Electives
Choose at least 18 credits or enough to fulfill the 44 credit Biological Sciences Core requirement.
Note that at least three credits must be at the 400 level.
Other Science and Math Core (37-38 credits)
Total Credits Required for Major: 81-82
Additional Degree Requirements Include:
- Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
- Elective courses as needed to complete the 120 credit hour total
Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120
Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.
Academic Requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.000 following the completion of BIO 200 , BIO 201 /BIO 211 , BIO 303 and BIO 305 is required for retention in the Biological Sciences major.
A minimum GPA of 2.000 in biology courses and a minimum GPA of 2.000 in required chemistry, physics and mathematics courses is needed for degree conferral.
Program Honors
Students with at least a 3.600 GPA may apply to the honors program fall of the third year. Accepted students take BIO 487 spring of the junior year and the senior year is devoted to laboratory research where the student completes six credits of honors-level, biological research BIO 497 in the laboratory of a UB faculty member. The research is presented at the departmental honors symposium at the end of spring semester. BIO 497 credits count for two of the required labs for the major and all the BIO 487 /BIO 497 credits will be counted toward the total required for the major.
Students must also meet the remaining criteria outlined in the Academic Honors policy. Students who successfully complete the honors program and meet the criteria will have the appropriate notation on their official transcript.
Curricular Plan
A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.
Fourth Year Spring
- BIO Elective Credits: 3
- BIO Elective Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
Total Credits Required: 120
Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.
Learning Outcomes
Students will develop a broad background in the biological sciences and achieve an understanding and appreciation of basic biological concepts and principles. They will become proficient in five broad areas of biology: evolutionary biology, cell biology, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics.
Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:
- Students will demonstrate broad proficiency in evolutionary biology, cell biology, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics.
- Demonstrate proficiency in basic laboratory skills, including lab safety, necessary for active participation as a laboratory or field biologist.
- Demonstrate quantitative reasoning skills, understanding of experimental design, and ability to interpret quantitative data.
- Formulate and test biological hypotheses. Engage both independently and collaboratively in the scientific process and learn to interpret the results of experiments.
- Retrieve information from various sources (literature or actual experiments), analyze this information, and communicate it precisely in written and oral forms.
- Demonstrate appreciation and understanding of ethics in conduct of science.
- Understand and appreciate ethical context of biology.
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Demonstrate advanced understanding in an area of their choice to obtain a deeper coverage of at least one of the five broad areas in Biology through advanced coursework, research, or both.
(HEGIS: 04.01 BIOLOGY GENERAL, CIP: 26.0101 Biology/Biological Sciences, General)
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