Biology
Department of Biological Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
109 Cooke Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1300
Phone: 716.645.2363
Fax: 716.645.2975
Web: www.biology.buffalo.edu
Gerald Koudelka
Chair
James LaFountain
Director of Undergraduate Studies
About the Department
Biology is the study of life from the simplest forms of plants and animals (including one-celled animals and algae) to highly complex structures of the human being. It includes the study of how organisms are structured as well as how they function and relate to each other.
The biological sciences are a part of the College of Arts and Sciences and represent a traditional liberal arts program. Students completing a degree in the biological science find immediate employment in such diverse fields as science writers, medical illustrators, biologically oriented computer applications, research technicians, high school teaching, sales, marketing and horticulture.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: B.A., B.S., Minor
Combined: B.A./M.S.
Graduate: M.A., M.S., Ph.D.
About Our Degrees
Acceptance Criteria – B.A. and B.S.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in BIO 200-BIO 201, CHE 101-CHE 102, and MTH 121-MTH 122 (or their equivalent).
Acceptance Criteria – Minor
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in BIO 200 and BIO 201.
Acceptance Criteria – B.A./M.S.
Initial Acceptance To B.A. Program:
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in BIO 200, BIO 201, CHE 101-CHE 102, and MTH 121-MTH 122 (or their equivalent).
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, completion of the first five semesters of courses listed in the proposed schedule below, and three letters of recommendation.
Acceptance Information
The department encourages students to apply in February of their sophomore year. It is important to follow precisely the prerequisites for each course.
Deadlines: Rolling
Number of applicants/year: 200
Number of accepted majors/year: 150
Total number of majors currently enrolled: 375
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Courses
Suggested Introductory Courses
- BIO 200 Evolutionary Biology
- CHE 101 General Chemistry
- MTH 121 Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I or MTH 141 College Calculus I
The typical class size for:
Freshman/introductory courses is: 200 - 300
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 60 - 300
Upper level/advanced courses is: 10 - 150
In the Department of Biological Sciences, what do student 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.
Special Academic Opportunities
There is a departmental honors program. Outstanding students are invited on the basis of their GPA to participate in this program and may apply six credits achieved on an honors research project towards their bachelor's degree.
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.
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
Majors that Complement Biological Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
- Communications, for technical writing
- Chemistry, for research into the chemical interactions that produce life
- Geology, for paleontology (used in oil prospecting)
- Social sciences, such as psychology, anthropology, or archaeology
- Sociology (sociobiology) to investigate the influence of biological drives on human culture
Minors that Complement Biological Sciences
- Anthropology
Career Information
An undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences is excellent preparation for becoming (through graduate studies) a professional biologist. It is also an excellent preparation for post baccalaureate programs such as Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Optometry, Podiatry and Chiropractic. It can lead to teaching certification, medical or science librarianship, public health, nutrition, genetic counseling, environmental and waste management positions and other professions.
Skills gained in this program include:
- Creating and writing reports to explain the basis and methodologies for complex scientific research findings;
- Leading a group of people in the implementation of a specific scientific procedure or laboratory experience;
- Testing the quality of biological products and identifying bacterial contaminants.
- Caring for laboratory animals;
- Using complex data collection equipment such has microscopes, dissection tools, and computer instruments;
- Gathering and interpreting scientific data about wildlife or human populations;
- Predicting the effects of chemical pollutants on various life forms and ecosystems;
- Improving industrial methods for processing food, wood, cotton, or biological pharmaceuticals;
- Identifying and protecting different species of plants, fish, and wildlife;
- Organizing large project by harnessing the talents of diverse groups of people and allocating responsibilities accordingly;
- Teaching, instructing and consulting various people and organizations on complex issues and theories;
- Using complex pieces of equipment for data input and analysis;
- Impacting political environments to produce changes.
Career Choices
- Animal breeder
- Author or technical writer
- Biologist
- Chemist
- Cloth technologist
- Crime laboratory analyst
- Document restorer
- Environmental analyst
- Food and drug inspector
- Horticulturist
- Hydrologist
- Industrial hygienist
- Laboratory assistant
- Medical librarian
- Medical technologist
- Museum technician
- Neuroscientist
- Paleontological helper
- Patent examiner
- Pest controller
- Pharmacist
- Physician
- Professor or teacher
- Public health educator
- Range manager
- Scientific photographer
- Veterinarian
- Zoologist
Work settings include:
- Agricultural organizations
- Botanical parks, gardens and nurseries
- Cattle ranches
- Federal, state and local regulatory or public
- Health agencies
- Food production corporations
- Hospitals and clinical laboratories
- Industrial and/or research firms
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Private industry
- Rehabilitation and training centers for the mentally and physically disabled
- Scientific publishing
- Seed supplier
- Strip-mining companies
- Textile manufacturer
- Universities and primary or secondary schools
- U.S. Patent Office and Department of Commerce
- Wood and paper producers
- Zoos, aquariums, and museums
Salary Information
Salaries can vary greatly for different occupations, geographic areas, and organizations and companies. According the Winter 2000 NACE national salary survey for Bachelor's Degree Candidates: Biological Science is $25,807. Chemistry is $34,808. Environmental Science is $26,000. The complete Winter 2000 NACE national salary survey is located in Career Services, 259 Capen Hall.
Career Hints
Degree level required: To conduct research, a Ph.D. degree is needed. Students interested in graduate study should check the availability of teaching assistantships and research fellowships to pay expenses. A bachelor's degree prepares for such work as laboratory assistant, technician, or inspector; but openings at this level tend to be competitive, and it is wise to seek out opportunities for honing skills in technical writing, data processing, biometrics (statistics), and laboratory techniques.
Practical applications in biology include agriculture, forestry, medicine and various health-related fields; however, more specialized or advanced education may be necessary for these occupations. Students who wish to pursue biology or medicine later on in graduate training or as a career are provided with opportunities to increase their skills by engaging in research projects with faculty members or seeking out volunteer opportunities within health care facilities.
What percentage of graduates goes on to find related employment?
30%
What percentage of graduates goes on to graduate school?
30% to graduate school; 40% to medical school