A student researcher in a lab coat examines a small sample tube under blue light while standing beside a microscope in a biology lab.

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Explore life from molecules to ecosystems—and learn science by doing it. At the University at Buffalo, biological sciences students gain hands-on experience through labs, research and close faculty mentorship from the very start. Whether you’re interested in human health, the environment, genetics or discovery-driven research, you’ll build real scientific skills and explore paths that match your interests. If you’re curious about how life works and want a degree that keeps your options open, biological sciences at UB is a strong place to begin.

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Department News

  • UBNow features the work of Zhen Wang
    12/26/25
    Dr. Zhen Wang's research project aims to pinpoint the genes that plants use to produce medicinal compounds could enable scientists to explore faster, more efficient methods of manufacturing these substances. This could include genetically engineering microbes to synthesize the drugs. One goal of the project is to decipher how the foxglove plant Digitalis lanata makes compounds called cardenolides, which have pharmaceutical relevance. See feature by UB Now.
  • David Hoekstra's passion for teaching honored by Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools
    4/20/22
    Dr. David Hoekstra, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, was awarded the 2022 Graduate Faculty Teaching Award by the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) at the Master’s level. NAGS is comprised of all graduate schools across the Northeast and also includes graduate schools in the Canadian southeast. 
  • NSF grant supports research project by Charlotte Lindqvist and team
    12/26/25
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a grant, totaling $2,945,234., to support a UB Biological Sciences study on the impacts of climate change. The study's principal investigator is Charlotte Lindqvist. Co-principal investigators are Jason Briner, Elizabeth Thomas, and Corey Krabbenhoft. 

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