Subsequent Upgraded Application to B.A./M.S. Program: Minimum GPA of 3.0 in science courses, minimum GPA of 3.0 in general education courses, and three letters of recommendation.
Acceptance Information
The department encourages students to apply in February of their sophomore year.
Deadlines: Rolling Number of applicants/year: 200 Number of accepted majors/year: 180 Total number of majors currently enrolled: 450
MTH 121 Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I or MTH 141 College Calculus I
The typical class size for:
Freshman/introductory courses is: 300 - 400 Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 100- 300 Upper level/advanced courses is: 10 - 100
In the Department of Biological Sciences, what do teaching assistants (TA's) do?
TA's are employed as teachers for undergraduate instructional laboratories, and they assist in recitation instruction and course grading.
About Our Faculty
Eleven faculty have been awarded the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching and another is a Distinguished Teaching Professor. The Department of Biological Sciences encourages active involvement in faculty research projects.
Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities
Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience A wide range of opportunities are available for students majoring in the biological sciences to gain experience outside of the context of the traditional
lecture and laboratory course work that is offered by the department. Among the nationally recognized faculty in the department, many lead externally funded laboratories where students find research positions and thus
gain valuable experience under the guidance of their faculty mentors. Students engaged in research may earn credit by enrolling in BIO 498 Undergraduate Research, or
in some cases students may be remunerated for their research work if their mentors have grant funds for that purpose.
Honors, Awards, and Scholarships Students enrolled in the BA or the BS program may participate in the departmental honors program during their senior year. Acceptance into the program may be achieved
through invitation by the department, nomination by a sponsoring faculty member, or self-nomination by the student. Nomination forms for the honors program are available in the departmental office, 109 Cooke Hall, North
Campus. Honors students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.6 in all biological science and basic science (chemistry, physics, math) coursework. Requirements for honors also include 6 credits of Honors Research (BIO 497)
supervised by a member of the faculty. 2 credits of BIO 487 Honors Research Methods and participation in the honors symposium held at the end of the senior year. Up to
4 credits of BIO 497 can be applied to the lab requirement for the baccalaureate degree (fulfilling two of the required labs) and up to two credits of honors research
may be used as elective credit to fulfill requirements for the degree program. Honors are noted on transcripts as highest distinction (GPA of 3.75 - 4.0), high distinction (3.5 - 3.74), or distinction (3.2 - 3.49).
The department presents five scholarships to matriculated majors: the Knobloch Endowment Scholarship, the McCroskey Endowment Scholarship, Darryl Raszl Undergraduate Research Fellowship, the Philip G. Miles Undergraduate
Research Fellowship and the Alumni Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Award criteria include both academic achievement and financial need.
Extracurricular Activities
Undergraduate Biology Association This organization is an active group open to all students. It sponsors special speakers on research, graduate school, and other
selected topics. It also sponsors social activities.