Biology, B.S.
School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences
Program Overview
Whether you want to be a marine biologist, microbiologist, or zoologist—or any of more than a dozen other careers—you’ll find our Biology Department an exciting, supportive environment in which to broaden your knowledge, hone your skills, and perform cutting-edge research. You’ll be able to assist our faculty, who have active careers in laboratory-based research at the national and international level. If you are trying to decide between the B,S, or B,A, degree, the Bachelor of Science degree in biology requires more advanced science and mathematics courses than the Bachelor of Arts degree.
Major Details
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2025–26 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
Major Requirements (57–63 Credits)
NYSED Program Code: 01984
A student with a grade of D+ or lower in any course applied toward fulfillment of department requirements must repeat the course until the grade of C- or higher is earned, or offer another course of equal or higher rank. Similarly, to enroll in any course students must have completed the appropriate pre-requisite courses with a grade of C- or better. Any substitution of courses must be approved by the chair or deputy chair for advising. At least one course taken must be a writing intensive (W) course offered by the Department of Biology. Students who completed Biology 1080 and 1081 before fall 2010 may substitute them for Biology 1001 and 1002 in all degree requirements.
All of the following: Biology 1001, 1002, 3003, 3004, 3006 or 3007W, 3011.
At least 12 credits of the following: Biology 2001, 2002 or 2002W, 2010, 2020 or Psychology 2610, Biology 3020 or Psychology 3610, Biology 3030W, 3083, 4001, 4009 or 4010W or Computer and Information Science 2810W, Biology 4011, 4012, 4013, 4022, 4028, 4024W, 4025, 4026, 4027, 5000 or 5001 or 5003W or 5010 or 5014W, 5020, Chemistry 4581.
All of the following:
- a) Chemistry 1100 or both (Chemistry 1050 and 2050) or (Chemistry 1200 and 1201) or (Chemistry 1050 and both Chemistry 2060 and 1201)
- b) Chemistry 2100 or both Chemistry and Biochemistry 2200 and 2201
- c) Chemistry 2110
- d) Chemistry 3510 or (both Chemistry 3511 and 3512) and Chemistry 3520 or (both Chemistry 3521 and 3522)
Additional Requirements
Candidates for a B.S. degree with a major in biology must complete at least 60 credits in science and mathematics, 24 of which must be completed in advanced courses in the Biology Department or required courses and allowed electives in other departments as described above (not including Biology 1001, Chemistry and Biochemistry 1100, 1050, 1200, 1201, 2050, 2060, 2100, 2200, 2201, and Mathematics 1201). These 24 credits must be completed at Brooklyn College with a grade of C- or higher in each course. Specific course requirements for a B.S. degree are described above.
The following courses may be applied toward the 60 credits in science and mathematics:
- All courses in the departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer and Information Science, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology
- Courses marked with a (#) symbol in the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences
- Anthropology 1200, 3230, 3240, 3250, 3260, 3235, 3440
- [Core Studies 5, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2]
- [Core Curriculum 1300 through 1399]
- Biology 1010, Chemistry and Biochemistry 1007, Physics 1005, Earth and Environmental Sciences 1010
- [Core Curriculum 3301 through 3399]
- Economics 3400, 4410, 3410, 4422
- Philosophy 3203, 3204, 3601
- Kinesiology 3271, 3275, 3281, 3285, 4200W, 4229, 4251
- Sociology 2701
- MCHC 2001
Department Recommendations
Students who anticipate majoring in biology must see a departmental adviser before the end of the sophomore year in order to plan their program.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a proficient mastery of basic biological knowledge through a sequential series of required courses in microbiology, genetics, and evolution.
- Demonstrate breadth of biological knowledge through advanced electives in cellular, molecular, organismal, and ecological courses.
- Develop and demonstrate a select set of competencies reflective of practical and theoretical processes of the life sciences through laboratory and research-based courses.
- Be able to evaluate the importance of technological advances and discoveries in the various subdisciplines of biological sciences with respect to their impact on society and environment.
Degree Maps
To help you pursue your studies in the most efficient manner, and to maximize your efforts to graduate in four years, Brooklyn College has created four-year degree maps for all its majors.
View degree maps for this major and others.
Contact
Contact the Biology Department for information on academic advisers and office hours.
Or contact:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
E:
To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:
The Support You’ll Find
Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in the Department of Biology offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Internships and Employers
Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the biology B.S. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:
- Brooklyn Hospital Center
- CityMD
- LifeSci NYC
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Memory and Cognition Lab
- Mount Sinai Hospital
- New York City Department of Education
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- New York Methodist Hospital
- New York–Presbyterian
- NYU Langone Health
- Prospect Park Zoo
- Rang Technologies
- Research Foundation at CUNY
- SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- Weill Cornell Medicine
