Biological Sciences Major I

Major I in Biological Sciences has the following Concentrations:

Basic (shown below)

Three other concentrations that are slightly more rigorous than the basic Major I. Interested students should speak with a biology adviser as soon as possible to plan their courses accordingly.
Behavioral Neurobiology
Bioinformatics
Biophysics

Foundational Courses

Foundational Courses for Major I (all concentrations) must be completed before embarking upon the major. Students with appropriate background may be exempted from some or all Foundational Courses. See department for proper placement.

Hunter Core Requirement

Courses leading to (foundational) or within this major may fulfill parts of the Hunter Core Requirement (CUNY Common Core [CCC], Hunter Focus, Concurrent Requirements). When selecting courses, it may be to a student’s advantage to choose courses that count toward the Hunter Core Requirement and also advance the student on the path to the major. Details on the Hunter Core Requirement can be found here: Hunter Core Requirement .

Major I

Major I is for students who intend to prepare for graduate study, medicine, dentistry, secondary school teaching, biotechnology and industry. Students planning to pursue Major I are strongly encouraged to declare their major as soon as possible after completing one semester of Principles of Biology. Declared majors are assigned a permanent faculty advisor who will assist in individual curriculum planning. Students are required to meet with their advisor at least once each semester throughout their undergraduate career to discuss their program and progress.

A. Introductory Biology (9 cr.)

B. 200-level and higher Concentration in Biology (24.5 cr.)

1. Required Courses (13.5 cr.)

2. Electives (11 credits)

Students select the remainder of their credits toward Major I from advanced courses in the biological sciences so as to create a core area of study. Eleven credits are required to complete the major. A minimum of two upper-level lecture courses must be taken, with at least one course at the 300 level, in addition to BIOL 30000 and BIOL 30300 , for a minimum of six credits. For the remaining elective credits, at least one special-topics course must be taken (BIOL 47000 or BIOL 47100 ; various topics offered each semester) in addition to other lecture or research courses. Students with strong interdisciplinary interests may select advanced course offerings in other departments after approval by their adviser. Four credits of laboratory research are recommended and can count towards the total elective credits either from a laboratory elective course or from research within an approved research laboratory. Laboratory research credits are taken as a BIOL 48000 research course for a maximum of two credits per semester and require a written report for each semester.

Curriculum Guide for Major I

Year 1

Fall

Spring

Year 2

Fall

Spring

Year 3

Fall

Spring

PHYS 12000 - General Physics: Introductory Course in Electricity and Magnetism, Light, and Atomic Physics * or
PHYS 12100 - General Physics: Introductory Course in Electricity and Magnetism, Light, and Atomic Physics *
Fourth core area/300- and 400-level electives

Year 4

Fall

Fourth core area/300- and 400-level electives

Spring

Fourth core area/300- and 400-level electives

Note(s)

*We recommend that math, physics and chemistry courses be completed as early as the student’s schedule allows. Note that CHEM 22300 , CHEM 22300 must be taken prior to BIOL 30000 ; otherwise, instructor permission is required. Students who are behind in the chemistry sequence are urged to take advantage of the summer session, during which these chemistry courses are usually offered.