UB Programs At-A-Glance

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

Grayson Snyder
Director of Undergraduate Studies

About the Program

The Department of Biological Sciences offers three programs leading to baccalaureate degrees and two that are combined undergraduate/graduate degree programs.

The bachelor of arts degree. Students qualify for the bachelor of arts degree by successfully completing at least 33 credits of coursework within the department plus 38 credits in chemistry, physics and mathematics. The curriculum for the BA program includes required core courses, as well as elective laboratory and lecture courses. It is designed to provide a broad-based education in the biological sciences.

The bachelor of science degree. Students qualify for the bachelor of sciences degree by successfully completing 44 credits of coursework within the department plus 38 credits of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The BS program is designed to provide the opportunity for in-depth study within particular sub-disciplines of the biological sciences; specific curricula have been formulated for study in (a) cell and molecular biology, (b) ecology and evolutionary biology and (c) pre-health studies.

The bachelor of science degree in bioinformatics and computational biology. In this highly interdisciplinary program, students integrate coursework in applied mathematics, computer science, and the biological sciences and learn how to apply mathematics and computing to the study of genes and proteins. This training prepares students for graduate education in a bioinformatics-related field or for entry into the workforce of this emerging discipline.

The university offers this bachelor of science degree in bioinformatics and computational biology with options for a concentration in biology, biophysics, computer science and engineering, and mathematics. Please refer to the bioinformatics and computational biology program for further details.

The combined bachelor of arts/master of science degree. To qualify for the combined degree, students must complete 30 credits of coursework within the department and 38 credits of chemistry, physics, and mathematics in three years of undergraduate study. Then, following admission into the department's graduate program, students must complete an additional 38 credits of graduate coursework over two years. A combined BA/MS degree is awarded after only five years of study. (When the two degrees are completed separately, a BA degree normally takes four years and an MS degree normally takes two years.)

The combined Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. This program combines three years of undergraduate study in biological sciences and four years of graduate work in dentistry, and a combined BS/DDS degree is awarded after seven years. Applicants may be accepted into the program prior to the beginning of the freshman year or while enrolled as a major in the Department of Biological Sciences. Further details concerning this program may be found at the School of Dental Medicine website: www.sdm.buffalo.edu.

In addition to baccalaureate degrees, the Department of Biological Sciences offers a minor in the biological sciences. To qualify, students must complete a short list of required courses and elective courses within the department, achieving a total of 22 credits. A special biotechnology minor is also available for chemical engineering students.

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, and three letters of recommendation.

Acceptance Information

The department encourages students to apply in February of their sophomore year.

Deadlines: Rolling
Number of applicants/year: 100
Number of accepted majors/year: 60
Total number of majors currently enrolled: 240

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

Suggested Introductory Courses


The typical class size for:

Freshman/introductory courses is: 200 - 300
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 60 - 150
Upper level/advanced courses is: 10 - 100

In the Department of Biological Sciences, what do 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.

See a list of our undergraduate faculty.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience
A wide range of opportunities are available for students majoring in the biological sciences to gain experience outside of the context of the traditional lecture and laboratory course work that is offered by the department. Among the nationally recognized faculty in the department, many lead externally funded laboratories where students find research positions and thus gain valuable experience under the guidance of their faculty mentors. Students engaged in research may earn credit by enrolling in BIO 498 Undergraduate Research, or in some cases students may be remunerated for their research work if their mentors have grant funds for that purpose.

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships
Students enrolled in the BA or the BS program may participate in the departmental honors program during their senior year. Acceptance into the program may be achieved through invitation by the department, nomination by a sponsoring faculty member, or self-nomination by the student. Nomination forms for the honors program are available in the departmental office, 109 Cooke Hall, North Campus. Honors students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 in all biological science and basic science (chemistry, physics, math) coursework. Requirements for honors also include 6 credits of honors research (BIO 498) supervised by a member of the faculty and participation in the honors symposium held at the end of the senior year. Three credits of honors research may be used as electives to fulfill requirements for the BA or a BS degree. Honors are noted on transcripts as highest distinction (GPA of 3.75 - 4.0), high distinction (3.5 - 3.74), or distinction (3.2 - 3.49).

The department presents two scholarships to matriculated majors - the Knobloch Award and the McCroskey Award. Award criteria include both academic achievement and financial need.

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



Minors that Complement Biological Sciences

Career Information and Further Study

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 projects 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 agencies
  • 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 among different occupations, geographic areas, and organizations and companies. According to the Winter 2000 NACE national salary survey for bachelor's degree candidates the average salary for biological science graduates is $25,807; for chemistry graduates is $34,808; and for environmental science graduates is $26,000. The complete Winter 2000 NACE national salary survey is located in Career Services, 259 Capen Hall.

Career Hints

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 one for such positions 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 one's 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 in graduate training or as a career may engage in research projects with faculty members or seek 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

Links to Further Information About This Program

Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:04 EST