Undergraduate Bulletin

Students in the Biology BA or BS programs may not declare a double major among Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Marine Sciences and Marine Vertebrate Biology. A double major in Biology and Human Evolutionary Biology requires a certain course combination in the Human Evolutionary Biology electives as specified in the requirements for the EBH major.

Requirements for the Major in Biology B.A. (BIO)

Completion of the B.A. major in Biology requires a minimum of 55 credits for the major, along with a required minor (18-24 credits). All foundational courses in related fields must be taken for a letter grade; courses taken under the Pass/No Credit option will not count towards completion of the major, with the exception of the Spring 2020 semester. All core and advanced courses in biology must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C or higher. At least one semester of the two-semester sequences of required courses in general chemistry lecture, organic chemistry lecture, and physics lecture/lab must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. The organic chemistry lab must be passed with a C or higher.

A. Foundational Courses in Related Fields

1. Chemistry Sequence Lecture Options:

2. Chemistry Sequence Laboratory Options

3. Organic Chemistry Lecture Options

4. Organic Chemistry Lecture Options

5. Calculus Course Options

If students do not place into MAT 125 or higher on the basis of the math placement examination, MAT 123 (or MAT 119/MAT 123) is a required course for the major.

6. Physics Sequence Options

7. Statistics Course Options

Students who transfer in AMS 102 from another institution with a grade of ‘A’ or higher will receive credit for the statistics course.

B. Core Courses in Biology

  1. BIO 201 Fundamental of Biology; Organisms to Ecosystems
  2. BIO 202 Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology
  3. BIO 203 Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology
  4. BIO 204 and BIO 205 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I and II OR BIO 204 and BIO 207 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I and IIB

C. Advanced Courses in Biology

At least one of the following 3 credit upper division BIO courses:

  1. BIO 320 General Genetics
  2. BIO 321 Ecological Genetics and Genomics
  3. BIO 354 Evolution
  4. EBH 302 Human Genetics

D. Advanced Biology Electives

Two additional upper division BIO courses. Research, readings, teaching practica and internship courses cannot be used to satisfy upper-division BIO course requirements. Students cannot take both BIO 320 and BIO 321 for biology major credit. Only one of these courses may be taken for biology major credit.

E. Approved Liberal Arts Minor within the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Communication and Journalism

Completion of a Minor within the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Communication and Journalism with no more than a 3 credit overlap with the major requirements for the BIO B.A. The list of approved minors for the Biology BA can be found on Undergraduate Biology’s website here.

F. Upper-Division Writing Requirement

How to submit writing sample: After submitting their lab report or term paper for BIO course credit in their respective courses, students should submit the exact same document to the BIO 459 Brightspace course assignments for writing evaluation. We encourage submission of writing samples early in the semester to allow time for review and revision if needed.

Review of writing sample: The Program in Writing and Rhetoric will evaluate the BIO 459 submission and will contact the student directly if remedial efforts are needed. Satisfactory completion of BIO 459 will fulfill the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) “Writing in the Discipline” WRTD learning objectives. If the writing assignment is initially found to be unsatisfactory, the student will be instructed by the Program in Writing and Rhetoric before resubmitting a revised version of their original paper. If, in lieu of making revisions, a student chooses to submit a paper from another course that routinely offers a BIO 459 assignment, they should not enroll in BIO 459 again. To allow for evaluation and possible revision of their writing sample, students are urged to complete their upper division writing requirement in their junior year or by the end of their next-to-last semester. Completion of the upper division writing requirement in the final semester is considered but may delay graduation clearance.

Courses that routinely offer assignments that can satisfy the BIO 459 WRTD learning outcomes:

Application of Transfer Credits to the Biology BA Requirements:

Requirements for the Major in Biology B.S. (BIO)

Completion of the B.S. major in Biology requires a minimum of 70 credits, including foundational courses in chemistry, mathematics and physics. All of these foundational courses in related fields must be taken for a letter grade; courses taken under the Pass/No Credit option will not count towards completion of the major, with the exception of the Spring 20 semester. At least one semester of the two-semester sequences of required courses in calculus, general chemistry lecture, organic chemistry lecture, and physics lecture/lab must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. The organic chemistry lab must be passed with a C or higher. Completion of the BIO major requires completion of the foundational courses in related fields, core curriculum and a minimum of 20 credits of advanced courses in biology. A list of advanced courses in biology from other Departments that are accepted for Biology major credit is provided below. All core and advanced courses in biology, including advanced courses in biology from other departments, must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C or higher with the exception of 400 level Reading and Research courses that are graded on an S/U basis. Biology majors must meet the major requirements as published in the official undergraduate Bulletin for the semester in which the student declares the major or minor. Requests for a waiver of major or minor requirements may be granted at the discretion of faculty.

A. Foundational Courses in Related Fields

1. Chemistry Sequence Lecture Options

2. Chemistry Sequence Laboratory Options

3. Organic Chemistry Lecture Options

4. Organic Chemistry Laboratory Options

5. Calculus Sequence Options

If students do not place into MAT 125 or higher on the basis of the math placement examination, MAT 123 (or MAT 119/MAT 123) is a required course for the major.

6. Physics Sequence Options

7. Statistics Course Options

Students who transfer in AMS 102 from another institution with a grade of ‘A’ or higher will receive credit for the statistics course.

B. Core Courses in Biology

  1. BIO 201 Fundamental of Biology; Organisms to Ecosystems
  2. BIO 202 Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology
  3. BIO 203 Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology
  4. BIO 204 and BIO 205 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I and IIA or BIO 204 and BIO 207 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences IIB

C. Advanced Courses in Biology

Programs of study in the Biology major are organized into 6 Specializations that promote in-depth explorations of different areas while also insuring a breadth of exposure to other areas in the biological sciences. DECLARING A SPECIALIZATION IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE BIOLOGY BS. The standard program of study includes 5 Advanced BIO lecture courses and 2 advanced BIO laboratory courses for a total of 20 advanced BIO credits. The specific program of advanced courses is dependent on the area of Specialization, and may also include the option to use advanced elective courses from other Departments to count towards the Biology major. The 6 Specializations are: Developmental Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Environmental Biology, Interdisciplinary Biology, Neuroscience, and Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics. There is also a special degree program for students who choose to double major in Biology and Clinical Laboratory Sciences; if students would like to pursue this double major, please speak with a biology advisor. The requirements for each Specialization are provided after the list of Advanced BIO courses. A complete list of Advanced Courses from other Departments that are accepted for the Biology Major credit is provided after the requirements for the different Specializations.

Students cannot take both BIO 320 and BIO 321 for biology major credit. Only one of these courses may be taken for biology major credit.

Advanced BIO Courses:

Area I: Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology:

Area II: Neurobiology and Physiology

Area III: Organisms

Area IV: Ecology and Evolution

Environmental Biology (May only be used for the Environmental Biology Specialization)

Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization in Developmental Genetics

  1. BIO 325 Animal Development
  2. BIO 320 General Genetics, or BIO 321 Introduction to Ecological Genetics and Genomics
  3. BIO 327 Developmental Genetics Laboratory
  4. At least one of the following six courses:
  1. Two additional advanced BIO lecture courses including at least one from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), or Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology) or Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO Major credit in these three areas.
  2. One additional advanced BIO laboratory course from any of the four areas of BIO courses or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these four areas. Note, the elective advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course.
  3. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization in Ecology and Evolution

  1. BIO 351 Ecology
  2. BIO 354 Evolution
  3. One additional advanced BIO lecture course and one advanced BIO laboratory course from either Area III (Organisms), or Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments that are accepted for BIO major credit in these two areas.
    Note: 4 credit courses identified as a Lecture with Laboratory may be used to satisfy both requirements.
  4. Two additional advanced BIO lecture courses including at least one course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), or Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these two areas.
  5. One advanced BIO laboratory course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology), or Area III (Organisms) or from the list of advanced laboratory courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these three areas. Note, the elective advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course.
  6. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization in Environmental Biology

  1. BIO 351 Ecology
  2. One advanced BIO laboratory course from Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced laboratory courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in this area.
  3. Two additional advanced BIO courses from Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) that may include at most one of the advanced courses in Environmental Biology offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit.
  4. Two additional advanced BIO lecture courses including at least one course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), or Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these two areas.
  5. One advanced BIO laboratory course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology), or Area III (Organisms) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these three areas. Note, the elective advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course.
  6. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization in Interdisciplinary Biology

  1. At least one advanced BIO lecture Course in Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), and Area II (Neurobiology and Physiology), and Area III (Organisms), and Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these four areas.
    2. Two advanced BIO laboratory courses chosen from two of the four different areas of advanced courses or advanced courses from other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these four areas. Note, one advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course.
    3. A second advanced BIO lecture course in one of the four areas of advanced biology courses or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit.
    4. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization in Neuroscience

  1. BIO 334 Principles of Neurobiology
  2. BIO 335 Neurobiology Laboratory
  3. Two courses from the following list:
  1. Two additional advanced BIO lecture courses including at least one course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), or Area III (Organisms), or Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these three areas.
  2. One advanced BIO laboratory course from either Area I (Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology), or Area III (Organisms), or Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO major credit in these three areas. Note, the elective advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course.
  3. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

Advanced Course Requirements for the Specialization in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics

Unlike other specializations, the Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Specialization requires completion of foundational courses in mathematics that cover differential equations.

  1. MAT 127 Calculus C, or MAT 132 Calculus II, or MAT 142 Honors Calculus II, or AMS 161 Applied Calculus II
  2. AMS 333 Mathematical Biology
  3. BIO 332 Computational Modeling of Physiological Systems
  4. BIO 312 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
  5. At least one of the following five courses:
  1. Two additional advanced BIO lecture courses, including at least one course from either Area III (Organisms), or Area IV (Ecology and Evolution) or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO Major credit in these four areas.
  2. One additional advanced BIO laboratory course from any of the four areas of BIO courses or from the list of advanced courses offered by other Departments and accepted for BIO Major credit in these four areas. Note, the elective advanced laboratory course can be replaced by two semesters of independent research for a total of at least 4 credits in a BIO research course.
  3. Additional advanced BIO lecture, laboratory, reading, or independent research courses, as needed, for a minimum of 20 credits of advanced biology coursework.

D. Upper-Division Writing Requirement

How to submit writing sample: After submitting their lab report or term paper for BIO course credit in their respective courses, students should submit the exact same document to the BIO 459 Brightspace course assignments for writing evaluation. We encourage submission of writing samples early in the semester to allow time for review and revision if needed.

Review of writing sample: The Program in Writing and Rhetoric will evaluate the BIO 459 submission and will contact the student directly if remedial efforts are needed. Satisfactory completion of BIO 459 will fulfill the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) “Writing in the Discipline” WRTD learning objectives. If the writing assignment is initially found to be unsatisfactory, the student will be instructed by the Program in Writing and Rhetoric before resubmitting a revised version of their original paper. If, in lieu of making revisions, a student chooses to submit a paper from another course that routinely offers a BIO 459 assignment, they should not enroll in BIO 459 again. To allow for evaluation and possible revision of their writing sample, students are urged to complete their upper division writing requirement in their junior year or by the end of their next-to-last semester. Completion of the upper division writing requirement in the final semester is considered but may delay graduation clearance.

Courses that routinely offer assignments that can satisfy the BIO 459 WRTD learning outcomes:

Application of Transfer Credits to the Biology BS Requirements

Biology courses taken elsewhere apply to major requirements only if listed as equivalent to a Stony Brook course in the official Stony Brook Transfer Course Database maintained by Academic and Transfer Advising Services. Transfer students must take at least 15 credits of required core and advanced biology at Stony Brook in courses for majors at the 200 level or higher. At least 12 of the 15 credits must be in BIO-designator courses. Both of the two advanced laboratory experiences must be taken at Stony Brook. Transfer students may satisfy the requirements for courses in related fields with transferred courses, if the courses are approved as being equivalent.

Honors Programs in Biology and in Biology and Society

Graduation with Honors in Biology or in Biology and Society requires the following:

  1. A cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher in all courses required for the major.
  2. Presentation of an acceptable thesis based on a project involving independent research for credit in an approved Research or Internship Course for at least two semesters written in the form of a paper for a scientific journal. A student interested in becoming a candidate for honors should submit a completed Honors Application to the Undergraduate Biology office as early as possible but no later than the second week of classes in the last semester (form available at: http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/biology/advising/Forms.html). On the application the student identifies the research project and provides an endorsement from their faculty research sponsor along with recommended names of at least two additional faculty members who have agreed to evaluate the written thesis, including at least one faculty member from a department different from that of the research sponsor. Applications approved by the Biology Program are returned to the student for inclusion with the completed thesis research project. The student must present a copy of the finished thesis along with a completed application form indicating written approval by their research sponsor and the two readers at least one week prior to the date of graduation.

Approved Research and Internship Courses:

Requirements for the Minor in Biology (BIO)

Only students with majors other than Biology, Biochemistry, Human Evolutionary Biology, Pharmacology, Marine Sciences or Marine Vertebrate Biology may elect the Biology minor. Completion of the minor requires at least 20 credits in BIO courses de­signed for the Biology major. All courses for the minor must be taken for a letter grade and must be passed with a grade of C or higher, including at least 9 credits at the 300 level. All advanced courses for the minor must be in BIO-designator courses taken at Stony Brook. The specific course requirements for the BIO minor are:

  1. At least two of the following courses:
  1. Both BIO 204 and BIO 205 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I and IIA or BIO 204 and BIO 207 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I and IIB
  2. Advanced lecture, laboratory or lecture/laboratory courses in at least two of the four areas of inquiry (I-IV) listed under the biology major. Only courses with BIO indicators are accepted for the Biology minor with the exception of: EBH 302, EBH 370, EBH 359, EBH 380, EBH 381.
  3. At least nine credits of 300 level BIO courses. Note, a grade of Satisfactory in at most two credits of biology independent research (BIO 484, BIO 486, BIO 487, BIO 489) and at most one credit of tutorial readings (BIO 444, BIO 446, BIO 447, BIO 449) may be applied toward the minor.

Biology Secondary Teacher Education Program

See the Education and Teacher Certifi­cation entry in the alphabetical listings of Approved Majors, Minors, and Programs.