2024-2025 Student Catalog
Biology, A.S. (Tracks in: Biology; Health Sciences; Biochemistry/Cell, Molecular Biology; Ecology/Conservation/Environmental Biology; Organismal Biology/Physiology)
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Contact Information
Program Requirements
Typical Program
Degree/Certificate: Associate in Science
HEGIS Code: 5604
SUNY Code: 13750
Major Code: BIOL
The Career
A degree in Biology (AS plus BA or BS) can prepare individuals for a wide range of career opportunities. These opportunities include, but are not limited to, employment by government agencies, research institutions, and industry in the areas of research and development. Other opportunities are found in the area of organismal biology at zoos, aquaria, fish hatcheries, wildlife preserves, conservation agencies, inspection agencies, and environmental organizations. Graduates may eventually work in biomedical services at clinics, hospitals, public health departments, pharmaceutical companies or independent laboratories. Bioinformatics is a growing area with employment at medical device and equipment laboratories and federal lab and regulatory agencies. Degrees in Biology can also lead to careers in health care but also in communications (technical writing, editing, illustrating, and photography), law (lobbying, regulatory affairs, science policy, patent law, environmental law), and business (technical sales, management, consulting, marketing.)
The SUNY Niagara Approach
The Biology, Associate of Science, program at SUNY Niagara prepares students to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a baccalaureate degree in Biology or a Biology-related discipline. The minimum degree requirements for the A.S. parallel the courses required in the first two years of such typical baccalaureate programs. Included are introductory biology courses, intermediate biology courses, and cognate courses in mathematics, chemistry, and physics. To provide seamless transfer to SUNY four-year colleges and universities, five tracks are offered: Health Sciences; Biochemistry/Cell, Molecular Biology; Ecology/Conservation/Environmental Biology; Organismal Biology/Physiology; and Biology (BA). To further ensure seamless transfer, thirty credit hours of General Education including Basic Communication and Mathematics are included in the minimum requirements for the degree.
Admission
Students admitted in fall, spring and summer. Because of the sequencing of courses, it may take more than four semesters of full-time study if a student begins this program in a spring or summer semester. Students needing additional coursework in preparation for General Chemistry or Calculus may take more than four semesters to complete the program.
The Biology, Associate in Science degree curriculum is offered as a full-time or part-time program.
Program Goals and Objectives
The Program Educational Goals and Objectives are to provide:
- A course of study which enables graduates to transfer seamlessly into four-year baccalaureate programs in Biology or a Biology-related discipline
- A core of mathematics and science courses suitable for continued coursework at the four-year level and in support of continued education or professional endeavors upon attainment of the baccalaureate degree
- Individualized advisement which will assist each student when developing their educational and career goals including transfer to an upper-division institution
Program Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this program, students will:
- Demonstrate mastery of the core biological concepts which serve as the foundation for upper-division coursework in Biology. These concepts include evolution by natural selection, genetics (molecular, Mendelian, and population), biodiversity, cell structure and function, and bioenergetics
- Demonstrate the use of critical thinking and problem solving skills as they relate to the scientific method
- Apply the fundamental concepts of inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry to the structure and function of living organisms
- Demonstrate mastery of mathematics necessary for upper-division coursework in Biology
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Program Requirements (BIOL)
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A total of at least 62-credit hours with a minimum curriculum grade-point average of 2.0. Academic Foundations courses do not count toward the degree.
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Biology: A minimum of 8-credit hours to include:
BIO 109 - General Biology I
BIO 109L - General Biology I Lab
BIO 110 - General Biology II
BIO 110L - General Biology II Lab
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Chemistry: A minimum of 15 credit hours to include:
CHE 120 - General Chemistry I /CHE 111L - General Chemistry I Lab
CHE 121 - General Chemistry II/ CHE 113L - General Chemistry II Lab
CHE 234 - Organic Chemistry I /CHE 235L - Organic Chemistry I Lab
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Mathematics: A minimum of 4 credit hours to include:
MAT 116 - Pre-calculus Mathematics
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Communication (Written): A minimum of 6 credit hours to include:
ENG 101 - Writing I
ENG 102 - Writing II & Introduction to Literature OR
ENG 103 - Writing for STEM OR
HED/PED elective (3 cr.)
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Communication (Oral): A minimum of 3 credit hours
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Computer Elective: A minimum 1 credit to include:
CIS 115 - Introduction to Spreadsheets
- Track Requirements/Electives: Choose from one of the following tracks.
Biology Track
BIO 213 - Human Anatomy & Physiology/BIO 213L - Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab OR
BIO 221 - Microbiology/BIO 221L - Microbiology Lab OR
BIO 255 - Population Genetics/BIO 255 L - Population Genetics Lab
CHE 236 - Organic Chemistry II/CHE 237L - Organic Chemistry II Lab OR
PHY 131 - General Physics I/PHY 131L - General Physics I Lab and 1 elective credit OR
PHY 171 - Calculus-Based Physics and Mechanics/PHY 171L - Calculus-Based Physics and Mechanics Lab and 1 elective credit
MAT 120 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
MAT 164 - Introduction to Statistics
SUNY General Education electives: 9 credits to be selected from three of the following areas. Arts (ARTS), US History & Civic Engagement (USCV), World History & Global Awareness (GLBL), World Language (WLNG), Social Science (SOCS) or Humanities (HUMN). Note: One course chosen must also meet a Diversity requirement.
Health Sciences Track
BIO 213 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I/BIO213L - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab AND
BIO 214 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II/BIO 214L - Human Anatomy & Physiology II OR
BIO 221 - Microbiology/BIO 221L - Microbiology Lab OR
BIO 255 - Population Genetics/BIO 255 L - Population Genetics Lab
CHE 236 - Organic Chemistry II/CHE 237L Organic Chemistry II Lab
MAT 164 - Introduction to Statistics
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology
SUNY General Education electives: 6 credits to be selected from two of the following areas. Arts (ARTS), US History & Civic Engagement (USCV), World History & Global Awareness (GLBL), World Language (WLNG), or Humanities (HUMN).
Biochemistry/Cell, Molecular Biology Track
BIO 213 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I/BIO213L - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab OR
BIO 221 - Microbiology/BIO 221L - Microbiology Lab OR
BIO 250 - Cell Biology/BIO 250L - Cell Biology Lab OR
BIO 255 - Population Genetics/BIO 255 L - Population Genetics Lab
CHE 236 - Organic Chemistry II/CHE 237L - Organic Chemistry II Lab
MAT 120 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
MAT 121 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
SUNY General Education electives: 9 credits to be selected from three of the following areas. Arts (ARTS), US History & Civic Engagement (USCV), World History & Global Awareness (GLBL), World Language (WLNG), Social Science (SOCS) or Humanities (HUMN). Note: One course chosen must also meet a Diversity requirement.
Ecology/Conservation/Environmental Biology Track
BIO 130 - Ecology Lecture/BIO 130L - Ecology Lab AND
BIO 136 - Contemporary Environmental Issues AND
BIO 201 - Botany/BIO 201L - Botany Lab OR
BIO 205 - Zoology/BIO 205L - Zoology Lab OR
BIO 255 - Population Genetics/BIO 255L Population Genetics Lab
MAT 120 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
MAT 164 - Introduction to Statistics
SUNY General Education electives: 9 credits to be selected from three of the following areas. Arts (ARTS), US History & Civic Engagement (USCV), World History & Global Awareness (GLBL), World Language (WLNG), Humanities (HUMN) or Social Science (SOCS). Note: One course chosen must also meet a Diversity requirement.
Organismal Biology/Physiology Track
BIO 130 - Ecology Lecture/BIO 130L - Ecology Lab OR
BIO 201 - Botany/BIO 201L - Botany Lab OR
BIO 205 - Zoology/BIO 205L - Zoology Lab OR
BIO 255 - Population Genetics/BIO 255L Population Genetics Lab
CHE 236 - Organic Chemistry II/CHE 237 L - Organic Chemistry II Lab
MAT 120 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
MAT 164 - Introduction to Statistics
SUNY General Education electives: 9 credits to be selected from three of the following areas. Arts (ARTS), US History & Civic Engagement (USCV), World History & Global Awareness (GLBL), World Language (WLNG), Humanities (HUMN) or Social Science (SOCS). Note: One course chosen must also meet a Diversity requirement. S)
First Semester–Biology (BA)
Second Semester–Biology (BA)
Third Semester–Biology (BA)
Fourth Semester–Biology (BA)
Total Credit Hours - 15/16
First Semester–Health Sciences
Second Semester–Health Sciences
Third Semester–Health Sciences
Fourth Semester–Health Sciences
Total Credit Hours -15/16
Biochemistry/Cell, Molecular Biology Track
First Semester–Biochemistry/Cell, Molecular
Second Semester–Biochemistry/Cell, Molecular
Third Semester–Biochemistry/Cell, Molecular
Fourth Semester–Biochemistry/Cell, Molecular
Total Credit Hours - 15/16
Ecology/Conservation/Environmental Track
First Semester–Ecology/Conservation/Environmental
Second Semester–Ecology/Conservation/Environmental
Third Semester–Ecology/Conservation/Environmental
Fourth Semester–Ecology/Conservation/Environmental
Organismal Biology/Physiology Track
First Semester–Organismal Biology/Physiology
Second Semester–Organismal Biology/Physiology
Third Semester–Organismal Biology/Physiology
Fourth Semester–Organismal Biology/Physiology
Scholarship Opportunities
There are several scholarships available to SUNY Niagara students. Scholarship deadline dates vary each semester. For more information, please visit the scholarship webpage at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/scholarships. The SUNY Niagara Foundation/Scholarship Office is located within the Foundation Office, A-265 or by phone (716) 614-5910.
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