Biological Sciences

Overview

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a single major for students who intend to prepare for graduate study, medicine, dentistry, secondary school teaching, biotechnology and industry.  The major in Biological Sciences has the following concentrations: Biological Sciences: Basic concentration; Behavioral Neurobiology; Bioinformatics; and Biophysics.  The Department stresses excellence in both teaching and research. Fully equipped research laboratories are supported by major federal grants and students are strongly encouraged to become involved in laboratory research. State-of-the-art flow cytometry and bioimaging facilities are housed within the department. They have been created and are funded by federal grants, New York State and the Center for Basic and Translational Research. The Center consists of faculty from the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology working in the areas of biomolecular structure and function.

What can I do with my degree in Biological Sciences?

The core curriculum in biological sciences prepares students for admission to both graduate and medical schools and for careers in the biological sciences, including teaching and the growing industry of biotechnology. The curriculum emphasizes cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, genetics and neurobiology as the foundation for future careers in fields related to the biological sciences. The Biology BA prepares students who are interested in applying to graduate school in the biological sciences or professional schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and other health professions as well as students who are interested in careers in the rapidly growing field of biotechnology.  In conjunction with the Hunter College School of Education, the Biology department offers opportunities for students to prepare for teaching careers in elementary and secondary schools.

Programs and Courses

Programs and Courses in Biological Sciences  

Research Opportunities

Undergraduate Research Students who wish to undertake a research project under the supervision of a faculty member must first obtain written permission from that faculty member and then register for BIOL 48000 . Research opportunities for undergraduates at Hunter are available in cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, cancer biology, AIDS, microbiology and a variety of other contemporary areas. In some cases students may be permitted to work at one of the several neighboring research institutions. Synopses of faculty research interests can be obtained in the department office or from the Department of Biological Sciences Website http://Biology.hunter.cuny.edu). In addition, there are summer research opportunities available at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Woods Hole Research Center through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Please note that, to qualify for departmental honors at graduation, there is a research requirement.

Honors

In order to qualify for departmental honors, students must have a departmental GPA of at least 3.5 and an overall GPA of at least 3.0. They must also satisfy a research requirement.

Administration and Faculty

Chair:

Derrick Brazill
803 Hunter North
(212) 650-3144
E-mail: brazill@genectr.hunter.cuny.edu

Department Office:

HN-927
(212) 772-5293
fax: (212) 772-5227
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Faculty

Biological Sciences Faculty  

HEGIS Codes: 0401 (BA); 0499 (BA/MA in Biotechnology)