North Campus in Fall Photographer: Douglas Levere.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

The Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biological Sciences are broad degree programs that provide you with the foundation you need to succeed in advanced degree programs and a wide variety of biology-based careers. Students who complete the BS may also choose a track that specializes in a focused area of study such as Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Neuroscience, or Pre-Health. We also offer a BS in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology with a track in Biological Sciences and three different combined degree programs: BA/Masters of Science (MS) in Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences BS/PharmD, and Biological Sciences BA/Biology Adolescence Education EdM.

Our motto is “Learning by Doing,” and as such we offer many hands-on laboratory courses that serve students at all levels. Biological Sciences also offers many opportunities to earn course credit by serving as teaching assistants, performing research, or doing internships, and up to 3 credits of this coursework can be used towards the major requirements.

More about our degree programs

  • BA in Biological Sciences
    9/16/24
    The Bachelor of Arts Degree Program is highly flexible and recommended for students with broad academic interests who may wish to combine studies in biology with those in other disciplines. Ideal for students who are considering studying abroad, a double major and/or a minor in distinct disciplines.
  • BS in Biological Sciences
    3/19/24
    The Bachelor of Science degree program provides the opportunity for in-depth study within particular sub-disciplines of the biological sciences. Students may select a broad-based degree, or may choose a track that specializes in cell and molecular biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, neurobiology, or pre-health studies.
  • BS in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
    3/19/24
    The Bachelor of Science degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology is a highly interdisciplinary program. Students integrate coursework in applied mathematics, computer science and the biological sciences, learning how to apply mathematics and computing to the study of genes and proteins. This training prepares students for graduate education in a bioinformatics-related field or for entry into the workforce of this emerging discipline.
  • BA/MS in Biological Sciences
    10/7/24
    The BA/MS in Biological Sciences is a combined degree program that provides an accelerated path to the Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences. Normally six years are needed to achieve both degrees (four years for the BA and two additional years for the MS). The combined program can be completed in five years. The BA degree is conferred after the fourth year, and the MS degree is conferred upon completion of the program.
  • BS/PharmD Combined Degree Program
    3/19/24
    The BS/PharmD Combined Degree Program combines three years of undergraduate study in biological sciences and four years of graduate work in pharmacy. A combined BS/PharmD degree is awarded after seven years. Application to the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is made following the second year at UB.  The Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (PharmD) is a professional degree that enables one to work as a pharmacist, interacting with patients and other health care practitioners about medications. 
  • Minor in Biological Sciences
    3/19/24
    To qualify for the Minor in Biological Sciences, students complete a short list of required and elective courses within the department. There is also a special Biotechnology Minor available for chemical engineering students.

The Biology Education Program is an accelerated, combined degree program that leads to a Biological Sciences BA and Biology Education EdM in five years. The coursework in the first three years provides a deep understanding of the Biological Sciences. Select education courses give students opportunity to experience the nuances of the profession. The graduate portion of the program will continue to build understanding of science and provide needed skills to become an effective teacher. The final year residency allows students to co-teach alongside an expert teacher to experience the inner workings of the classroom. At the end of the five-year program, successful students will receive recommendation for New York State Initial and Professional Teacher Certification.