Program: Biology [BIO] - SUNY Cortland - Modern Campus Catalog™

2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 07, 2025

This major provides a solid foundation in biology yet retains considerable flexibility. Students in this major can prepare for a variety of biology-related employment opportunities or for entry into graduate or professional schools.

Career Potential

Health professions
Environmental biologist
Research scientist
Laboratory technologist

A. Biology Courses: 36 credit hours

Biology Elective Courses

BIO 201 - Biological Sciences I (4 cr. hr.)
BIO 202 - Biological Sciences II (4 cr. hr.)
BIO 210 - Cellular Biology (4 cr. hr.)
BIO 312 - Genetics (4 cr. hr.)
BIO 319 - Biological Literature (1 cr. hr.)
BIO 412 - General Ecology (4 cr. hr.)

B. Related Science and Math Courses: 26 credit hours

CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 301 - Organic Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 105 - Elementary Mechanics and Heat (4 cr. hr.)
and
PHY 106 - Elementary Electricity, Light and Sound (4 cr. hr.)
or
PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.)
and
PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)

Select Either:

GLY 281 - Data Analysis in Natural Science (3 cr. hr.)
or
MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.)
or
MAT 201 - Statistical Methods (3 cr. hr.)

C. Additional Requirements for the B.A.: 62 credit hours

Composition and General Education Courses: 27 credit hours
Foreign Language Courses: 0-12 credit hours
Free Elective Courses: 22-35 credit hours

D. Additional Requirements for the B.S.: 62 credit hours

Composition and General Education Courses: 27 credit hours
Foreign Language Courses: 0-3 credit hours
Additional Science or Math: 10 credit hours
Free Elective Courses: 21-25 credit hours

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124

Example of the B.S. in Biology over four years

First Year

Fall Total credit hours: 16-17

Foreign language or GE course

BIO 201 - Biological Sciences I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 224 - Problem-Solving in General Chemistry I (1 cr. hr.)
COR 101 - The Cortland Experience: A First Year Seminar (1 cr. hr.)
CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.)
or
CPN 102 - Writing Studies in the Community I (4 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15-16

Foreign language or GE course

BIO 202 - Biological Sciences II (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 225 - Problem-Solving in General Chemistry II (1 cr. hr.)
CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.)
or
CPN 103 - Writing Studies in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)

Second Year

Fall Total credit hours: 17

GE course
GE course or free elective

BIO 210 - Cellular Biology (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 301 - Organic Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 281 - Data Analysis in Natural Science (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 16

GE course
Free elective
GE course or free elective

BIO 312 - Genetics (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.)

Third Year

Fall Total credit hours: 14-15

Science or math elective
GE course
Free elective

BIO 319 - Biological Literature (1 cr. hr.)
PHY 105 - Elementary Mechanics and Heat (4 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 13-15

Biology elective
Science or math elective
GE course

PHY 106 - Elementary Electricity, Light and Sound (4 cr. hr.)

Fourth Year

Fall Total credit hours: 16-18

Biology elective
Science or math elective
Free elective
Free elective

BIO 412 - General Ecology (4 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15-17

Biology elective
Biology elective
GE course
Free elective
Free elective

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