The biological sciences major is available to students enrolled in either the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences or the College of Arts and Sciences. The program’s curriculum, academic advising, and undergraduate research components are coordinated for students in both colleges by the Office of Undergraduate Biology.
Students majoring in biological sciences take a set of six foundation courses in the core areas of biology. In the first three semesters biology majors are expected to take Evolution and Diversity, Investigative Biology Laboratory, and two courses from three core “choice” areas of biology: Comparative Physiology, Cell and Developmental Biology, and Ecology and the Environment. Two additional core courses, Genetics and Genomics and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, are required of all biological sciences majors and are typically taken in the sophomore or junior years. The Investigative Biology Laboratory is a one-semester course, which provides both basic laboratory skills and an introduction to the methodology of scientific research, including experimental design, internet-based biology resource searches, statistics, and scientific writing. Additionally, majors select one of 13 concentrations within the biological sciences major.
Whenever possible, students should complete Investigative Biology Laboratory, and two core choice courses, general chemistry, and mathematics sequences in their freshman schedule. Genetics and Genomics should not be taken in the senior year. Students should work closely with their faculty advisor and staff advisors in the Office of Undergraduate Biology to design a suitable academic course plan. Sample course schedules can be found at biology.cornell.edu/advising. By completion of the sophomore year, all students who intend to major in biological sciences must declare the major and a concentration through the Office of Undergraduate Biology, 216 Stimson Hall.
Biology majors should regularly monitor their progress in the major and should assess as realistically as possible the likelihood of achieving at a level that is consistent with their academic and personal goals. Weak academic performance in core courses, particularly after the freshman year, may indicate a need to reevaluate aptitude and general interest in the major. Students with concerns about their ability to complete the major are encouraged to consult their biology advisor and to take advantage of the professional academic advising service available in the Office of Undergraduate Biology, as well as those offered by the student’s college.
The requirements for the biological sciences major are listed below. Requirements 1–10 must be taken for a letter grade. Once matriculated, students are required to complete all major biology core requirements at Cornell or during an approved Study Abroad semester (numbers 1, 2, 7–10 below). Students must take all courses for the concentration for a letter grade unless the course is offered for S–U grades only or if the student’s advisor grants permission.