Program Overview
Introduction to the Biological Sciences Major
The science of biology spans an extraordinary range of subjects, from molecular biology through ecosystem ecology. Biology also underpins some of the most important challenges and opportunities in human society, such as understanding human health and disease, managing agriculture and developing technologies to feed the global population, and predicting responses of organisms to climatic changes and figuring out ways to protect biological diversity.
Program Overview
A student seeking a biology major at Fordham is offered a diverse and rigorous program that encompasses the breadth of this field and provides them the tools they need to address these challenges. The broad learning goals of our biological sciences program are to:
- Cultivate a life-long curiosity about science and all aspects of biology
- Provide an understanding of the use of the scientific method in biological investigations, and gain practical experience and technical skills using these methods
- Give students a deeper understanding of basic concepts, principles, ideas, and theories in biology, so that students become knowledgeable and literate in their field
Career Opportunities
We help our students develop an academic program that best fits their interests and career goals. Through this, our graduates pursue diverse careers in fields like healthcare, education, research, and work with government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private-sector research laboratories.
Program Requirements
All majors in our undergraduate program begin with Introductory Biology courses BISC 1403 + BISC 1414; and BISC 1404 + BISC 1414 and General Chemistry courses CHEM 1321 + CHEM 1331; and CHEM 1322 + CHEM 1322. From this foundation, Biology majors take more advanced courses, including General Genetics (BISC 2539 + BISC 2549) and Organic Chemistry (CHEM 2521 + CHEM 2541; and CHEM 2522 + CHEM 2542). These courses all include laboratory training and experience.
Course Structure
The program of biology courses is structured in the following way:
- Core Courses
- BISC 1403 & BISC 1413: Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology Lab I (5 credits)
- BISC 1404 & BISC 1414: Introductory Biology II and Introductory Biology Lab II (5 credits)
- BISC 2539 & BISC 2549: General Genetics and General Genetics Lab (5 credits)
- BISC 2561 & BISC 2571: Ecology and Ecology Lab (5 credits)
- Distribution Courses: Select a minimum of two of the following:
- BISC 3221 & BISC 3231: Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Lab
- BISC 3132 & BISC 3142: Human Physiology and Human Physiology Lab
- BISC 3405 & BISC 3415: Plant Biology and Plant Biology Lab
- BISC 3521: Biochemistry
- BISC 3643 & BISC 3653: Microbiology and Microbiology Lab
- BISC 3752: Molecular Biology
- BISC 3754: Cell Biology
- Chemistry Courses
- CHEM 1321 & CHEM 1331: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I (6 credits)
- CHEM 1322 & CHEM 1332: General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II (6 credits)
- CHEM 2521 & CHEM 2541: Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Lab I (6 credits)
- CHEM 2522 & CHEM 2542: Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Lab II (6 credits)
- Physics Courses: Select one of the following sequences:
- Sequence 1: PHYS 1701 & PHYS 1511: Physics I and Physics I Lab, PHYS 1702 & PHYS 1512: Physics II and Physics II Lab
- Sequence 2: PHYS 1501 & PHYS 1511: General Physics I and Physics I Lab, PHYS 1502 & PHYS 1512: General Physics II and Physics II Lab
- Calculus Course: Select one of the following:
- MATH 1203: Applied Calculus I
- MATH 1204: Applied Calculus II
- MATH 1206: Calculus I
- MATH 1207: Calculus II
- Elective Courses: Select three elective BISC courses for the B.S. degree and one for the B.A. degree
Elective Courses
Courses in this group have the BIEL attribute. The list includes:
- BISC 3000: Environmental Science (3 credits)
- BISC 3132: Human Physiology (3 credits)
- BISC 3221: Human Anatomy (3 credits)
- BISC 3244: Evolutionary Biology (3 credits)
- BISC 3405: Plant Biology (3 credits)
- BISC 3466: Urban Ecology & Evolution (3 credits)
- BISC 3521: Biochemistry (3 credits)
- BISC 3643: Microbiology (3 credits)
- BISC 3752: Molecular Biology (3 credits)
- BISC 3754: Cell Biology (3 credits)
- BISC 3893: Introduction to Virology (3 credits)
- BISC 4100: Computational Methods in Natural and Applied Sciences (4 credits)
- BISC 4530: Cancer Biology and Signaling (3 credits)
- BISC 4532: Neuroscience (3 credits)
- BISC 4575: Conservation Biology (4 credits)
- BISC 4642: Animal Behavior (4 credits)
- BISC 4693: Developmental Biology (3 credits)
- BISC 4792: Senior Thesis Research (4 credits)
- BISC 4999: Research Tutorial (0-4 credits)
- CHEM 4221: Biochemistry I (3 credits)
- ENVS 3000: Environmental Science (3 credits)
Recommendations for First-Year Students
It is recommended that first-year students take the following courses:
- Calculus (one of the following): MATH 1206: Calculus I, MATH 1207: Calculus II, MATH 1203: Applied Calculus I, MATH 1204: Applied Calculus II
- BISC 1403 & BISC 1413: Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology Lab I (5 credits)
- CHEM 1321 & CHEM 1331: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I (6 credits)
- BISC 1404 & BISC 1414: Introductory Biology II and Introductory Biology Lab II (5 credits)
- CHEM 1322 & CHEM 1332: General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II (6 credits)
Degree Options
The Department of Biological Sciences offers two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). Beyond the chemistry, physics, and math requirements, majors must complete a minimum of nine courses in biology for a B.S. degree and seven for a B.A. degree. Lecture and lab courses must be taken concurrently.
Grading and Transfer Policies
A grade of C- is the minimum accepted grade for all courses to count toward fulfilling requirements of the biology major. Biology majors are expected to take all of their required major courses at Fordham. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for certain rare and compelling reasons. Under no circumstances can more than two external courses be transferred toward the major. Note that online courses from other universities are not acceptable substitutes for required courses.
Availability
The major in biological sciences is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill. Students in Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies may major in biological sciences only if they receive the approval of their advising dean and/or department, and their schedules are sufficiently flexible to permit them to take day courses at the Rose Hill campus.
Core Curriculum Requirements
Fordham College at Rose Hill students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum. Professional and Continuing Studies students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the PCS Core Curriculum and any additional electives that may be required to earn a minimum of 124 credits.
CIP Code
26.0101 - Biology/Biological Sciences, General.