Requirements for the Major: Biology (Major code 016)
All courses credited toward the major or minor must be completed with a minimum grade of C–.
Required:At least 36 credits in biology, including BIOL107, 108, and two of BIOL285, 286,
or 287 with the remainder being in 200-level courses and above, of which at least three of the
advanced courses, not including BIOL344, 381, 390, 391, 395, or 396 must be at the 300 level,
and at least four must be laboratory courses. One year of general chemistry (CHEM 113 and
114 or equivalent) plus one semester of organic chemistry (CHEM 251 or equivalent) plus one
semester of calculus (MATH 142 or 151 or equivalent) or BIOL230 or equivalent. At least 20
of the biology credits above BIOL107 and 108 must be taken at Queens College. Course selec-
tion must be made in consultation with a departmental advisor.
Transfers: Amaximum of 16 biology credits are accepted as transfer credits in the major.
Requirements for the Major: Biology-Education (Major code 017)
Required: At least 30 credits in biology, including BIOL107, 108, and two of BIOL285, 286
or 287; the remainder must be in 200- and 300-level courses, of which at least two must be 300-
level courses and at least three must be laboratory courses. Aminimum of a year of chemistry
(normally CHEM 019 and 159, or equivalent); and one semester of calculus (MATH 142 or
151, or equivalent) or BIOL230 or equivalent. At least 16 of the credits above BIOL107 and
108 must be taken at Queens College. Course selection must be made in consultation with the
Biology-Education Advisor.
Also required are 16 credits in major-level courses in the following cognate departments:
Chemistry & Biochemistry; Computer Science; Earth & Environmental Sciences; Family, Nutri-
tion & Exercise Sciences; Mathematics; Physics. These courses are to be chosen in consultation
with the advisor.
Also required is a co-major in Elementary & Early Childhood Education or a minor in Sec-
ondary Education & Youth Services, as prescribed by a subject matter advisor of the pertinent
EECE or SEYSDepartment.
Requirements for the Minor in Biology (Minor code 10)
Students who minor in biology must complete BIOL107 and 108 and at least 9 credits of
advanced biology courses, not including the research courses (BIOL390, 391, 395, 396). All of
the advanced courses must be taken at Queens College.
The Biology Department offers the biology
major with two concentrations, General
Biology and Biology-Education, and the
biology minor. Students who choose one of
these options must consult with an appropri-
ate faculty advisor early in their course of
studies.
Faculty advisors are available for stu-
dents interested in general biology, biology-
education, evening studies, transfer and
permit courses, second baccalaureate, inter-
disciplinary studies, and graduate (master’s
and doctoral) studies. Inquire at the office
(SB D346) or call 718-997-3400 for appro-
priate advisor and office hours.
The biology major provides students
with a foundation for a variety of profes-
sional options. Upon graduation, they may
find employment as technicians in health-
related, industrial, or university laboratories.
Those desiring a research career in the gov-
ernmental, private, or academic sector
should plan to continue their education at
the graduate level. Such a career may be
focused toward work in the field and/or in
the laboratory. This concentration is valu-
able to those interested in consumer protec-
tion services, environmental law, forestry,
conservation, and scientific and medical
illustration or writing. Government opportu-
nities exist in the Departments of Agri-
culture, State, Interior, Commerce, Health
and Human Services, and Treasury. This
concentration is also the traditional route to
professional schools leading to careers in
medicine, dentistry, optometry, and other
health-related vocations.
The Biology-Education concentration, a
program of study coordinated with the Divi-
sion of Education, is for students who want
to meet the requirements for teaching biol-
ogy in middle, junior high, and senior high
schools. Questions concerning this major
should be referred to the Biology-Education
Advisor. Students also should consult with
an advisor in either the Elementary & Early
Childhood Education Department (EECE)
orthe Secondary Education & Youth Ser-
vices Department (SEYS) to determine the
education requirements for New York State
certification.
Nonmajor Courses
The department offers survey and topic-
oriented courses (designated as the 001–099
series) that have been designed for nonma-
jors. Most of these courses have recitation/
demonstration sections rather than formal
laboratories.
THE BIOLOGY MAJORS AND THE MINOR
Students who choose the Biology major
must consult with an appropriate program
advisor (the programs are listed below)
early in their course of studies. Majors
interested in the health professions should
consult with the college pre-professional
career advisor. Students choosing the Biol-
ogy-Education major must consult with the
Biology-Education Advisor. Students who
choose to minor in biology must consult
with either the Undergraduate Advisor or
the Evening Studies Advisor.
All students must prepare a concentra-
tion plan with an advisor and file this with
the department before registering for any
advanced biology courses, typically by the
beginning of the sophomore year. This plan
is solely a description of a proposed course
of study; it may be changed at any time in
consultation with an advisor.All students
also must be listed with the Registrar as a
biology major, Biology-Education major, or
abiology minor. Both the concentration
plan and notification of the Registrar are
required before a student can take advan-
tage of departmental preregistration for
advanced courses in biology or be gradu-
ated with a major or minor in biology.
All courses credited toward the biology
major must be completed with a grade of C–
or better. Tutorial or research courses (BIOL
387, 390, 391, 395, 396) may not be cred-
ited toward the biology major. CHEM 113
and 114 (or CHEM 019 and 159) are prereq-
uisite to all 300-level biology courses.
No course may be taken more than
twice, and credit will be given only once for
the same course except where otherwise
noted in course description.
Amaximum of 3 credits in combination
of tutorial (BIOL386) plus research (BIOL
390, 391, 395, or 396) courses may be
taken in one semester. Amaximum of 12
credits in combination of tutorial (BIOL
386) plus research (BIOL390, 391, 395, or
396) courses may be applied toward the
degree.
The Biology Majors
See the box on this page for the specific
requirements for the majors.
Note: Students wishing to attend health-
profession schools or to undertake further
graduate training must take some or all of
the following cognate courses: CHEM 113,
114, and 251, 252; PHYS 121 and 122;
MATH 151 and 152; or equivalents.
Biology Majors Who Want to Enter
the Health Professions
Advisor: V. Cook
Secretary: C. Farley
Office:Science Bldg. B338, 718-997-3470
It is recommended that pre-health profes-
sion students take several laboratory courses
in biology and biochemistry. These courses
should be completed before the beginning
of the senior year.
Biology Majors Who Wish to Teach
Biology in Secondary Schools
Advisor:Inquire at department office. Stu-
dents who want to meet requirements for a
certificate to teach biology in middle, jun-
ior, or senior high schools should follow the
major in Biology-Education and consult
with the Secondary Education and Youth
Services Department to determine the edu-
cation requirements for New York State cer-
tification.
The Biology Minor
See the box on page 86 for the specific
requirements for the minor.
All courses credited toward the biology
minor must be completed with a grade of
C–or better. Tutorial or research courses
(BIOL387, 390, 391, 395, 396) may not be
credited toward the biology minor. CHEM
113 and 114 are prerequisite to all 300-level
biology courses. No course may be taken
more than twice, and credit will be given
only once for the same course.
Note: All 200-level and above biology
courses must be taken at Queens College.