Courses of Study 2011-2012 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Courses of Study 2011-2012 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biological Sciences Major



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.

Requirements:


Note:


Students who, via advanced placement, take only CHEM 2080  or only CHEM 2150  should be aware that some professional and graduate schools require 8 credits of general chemistry. These students may wish to take both CHEM 2150  and CHEM 2090  or CHEM 2150  and CHEM 2160 . Students may wish to consult with their faculty advisor or advisors in the Office of Undergraduate Biology for further clarification.

4. College mathematics (one year):


One semester of calculus (MATH 1106 , MATH 1110 , or their equivalent) plus one semester selected from the following:

Note:


Those who take PHYS 1112  and PHYS 2213  are advised to complete PHYS 2214  as well.

7. Evolutionary Biology and Diversity:


8. Genetics and Genomics:


Note:


BIOMG 3330  and BIOMG 3350  are not allowed for those students concentrating in Biochemistry or Molecular and Cell Biology.

10. A concentration:


Students accepted into the biological sciences major must choose a concentration . Whereas the core requirements of the biology curriculum provide the common foundation deemed essential for all biology majors, the role of the concentration is to provide a focus in a particular area of biology. The concentration requirement can be met by taking 13 to 15 credit hours of courses chosen by the student in consultation with his or her biology advisor. Concentrations for particular subject areas are designed by faculty members specialing in the subject. Typically, the concentration consists of one or more courses that provide foundation in the subject and a list of optional courses from that area or related areas, many of which are at an advanced level (3000 or higher). Because biology is an experimental science, most concentrations require one or more laboratory courses. The laboratory requirement in some concentrations can be met by participation in the independent research course (BIOG 4990 ).

Note:


  • Advanced placement biology credits are not accepted for substitution or placement out of any requirement for the biological sciences major.
  • Because of extensive overlap in content, students may not earn credit for both BIOG 1105  and BIOG 1440 .
  • Although not required for the biological sciences major, a course in statistics is recommended for all biology students. Students should consult their faculty advisors when choosing appropriate courses in statistics.
  • Core courses noted in numbers 1–9 above cannot count toward the concentration requirements.
  • Transfer students who have taken a full year of introductory biology with laboratory at another institution are required to complete only one of three core choice courses listed in number 1 above.
  • Transfer students who have taken advanced courses in biology in addition to a full year of introductory biology with a laboratory can elect to apply their advanced course toward the core choice course requirement (number 1 above) or apply it toward a concentration requirement (number 10 above). Please see the advisors in Office of Undergraduate Biology for guidance.

Pre-medical/veterinary students not majoring in biological sciences:


  • Pre-medical students should refer to the following link for a list of courses required for admission to medical school career.cornell.edu/HealthCareers/humanMedicine/courses.html
  • Pre-veterinary students should refer to the following link for a list of courses required for admission to veterinary school career.cornell.edu/HealthCareers/veterinary/guide.html
  • Advanced placement biology credits may still be used toward fulfilling pre-medical/pre-veterinary prerequisite courses, but students should check Cornell Career Services, 103 Barnes Hall, for the listing of medical schools that recognize AP credit.
  • Non–biological sciences majors should consult with their major advisor for course selection advice regarding freshmen-level biology courses that may be required of their particular major.