A student conducting research in a UAlbany lab.

Bachelor of Arts in
Biology

Program of Study

programofstudy

The BA in Biology program provides fundamental training in the core concepts of molecular and cellular biology, anatomy, physiology and genetics.

Credits needed: 57 minimum


Required Courses 

  • General Biology: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics
  • General Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology
  • Introduction to Biological Investigations I and II
  • Introductory Genetics
  • General Chemistry I and Lab OR General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I OR or Advanced General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I
  • General Chemistry II and Lab OR General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II OR or Advanced General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II
  • Calculus I OR Calculus II
  • Elementary Statistics
  • Introduction to Psychology OR Introduction to Sociology

Electives

Select one:

  • Molecular Cell Biology
  • Principles of Ecology and Evolution
  • General Physics I and General Physics Lab I
  • Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Researchers working in a UAlbany biology lab.

"There are so many opportunities. I was able to work in a coral lab this semester which was very interesting. It's something I would not have been able to do if I wasn't at UAlbany."

- Natalie Semprebon, '24

UAlbany Majors: BA Biology

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Options


You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately. Choose to combine your Biology undergraduate degree with the following graduate programs:

combined

MS in Information Science 
This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.
 

MS in Secondary Education
This New York State-approved teacher preparation program provides you with initial certification to teach a specific subject to students in grades 7-12 in New York State public schools.

UAlbany graduate at Commencement

Career Outcomes


By combining a scientific and liberal arts background, the Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences can lead to positions such as:

  • Biological Technician or Research Assistant
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Occupational Health or Safety Specialist
  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
  • Agriculture or Food Science Technician
  • Nutritionist
  • Science Writer/Journalist

The BA in Biological Sciences can also serve as a stepping stone to continued education in a graduate or professional school where your biology background could provide a critical component in a career in government, business, or law.

 

 

Businessman working with scientist in conference room
career

"The BA in Biology is a great degree for students who enjoy biology and also have interests in other fields. This gives them the best of both worlds."

- Rolando Valentin, Undergraduate Advisement Coordinator

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Arts
  • Demonstrate an understanding of information flow, exchange, and storage as it influences the development of individuals, populations, and species. 
  • Demonstrate an understanding of structure and function at the level of the gene, genome, cell, tissue, organ, organ system and whole organism level.
  • Apply biological knowledge to societal issues.
  • Demonstrate scientific literacy in oral and written communication.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the methods, techniques, concepts, and vocabularies of the social sciences (requires psych or soc as part of the major).
  • Employ the scientific method through the design and implementation of experiments and the collection, analysis and interpretation of data.
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What Makes The University at Albany Great

Student move-in day.

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

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Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

A student conducting undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors
  • Acting
  • Africana Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Bioethics
  • Biology
  • Broadcast Meteorology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Studies
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication (Fully Online Option)
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
  • Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • Documentary Studies
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Studies
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Film Studies
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • English
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • Game Design and Development
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Geography
  • Globalization Studies
  • Hebrew
  • History (Fully Online Option)
  • Informatics (Fully Online Option)
  • Instrumental Performance
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Journalism (Fully Online Option)
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Leadership
  • Legal Studies
  • LGBTQ Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Music
  • Musical Performance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Portuguese
  • Pre-Education
  • Psychology (Fully Online Option)
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Social Welfare Studies
  • Sociology (Fully Online Option)
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre
  • Theatrical Design/Technology
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • U.S. Latino Studies
  • Vocal Performance
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies