Department Office: 221 Ingersoll Hall Extension
Phone: 718.951.5396
Full-Time Faculty
Professor(s): Basil, Forlano, Ikui, Muth, Polle, Quadri, Saxena, Singh, Tolias, Wilson
Associate Professor(s): He, Schvarzstein
Assistant Professor(s): Cevher, Staniczenko
Lecturer(s): McEntee, Samaddar
The Department of Biology at Brooklyn College is a well-respected science department in a traditional liberal arts college. Our faculty members have a wide variety of interests and active careers in laboratory-based research at national and international levels. They are successful in obtaining federal grants for their research programs and in publishing and presenting their findings. Faculty members pursue their research at the College and mentor students in their specialties.
The department offers a bachelor of arts in biology, a bachelor of science in biology, and a bachelor of arts degree in adolescence education for biology teachers as well as a minor in biology.
The department offers opportunities for access and excellence in the biological sciences at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree levels. It provides an exciting, supportive environment in which to hone skills and perform cutting-edge research. Our programs of study equip students with the knowledge and understanding of biological sciences necessary to succeed in our increasingly interdependent, technological world. Each year, approximately 400 undergraduates major in biology. They have a broad range of interests and career plans and are ethnically and culturally diverse, reflecting the demography of Brooklyn.
Armed with a superior science education, our graduates are informed and responsible citizens, committed to science, and prepared to lead their communities into an ever more complex future. Many of our students, including a recent Rhodes scholar, continue their studies in prestigious graduate and professional schools across the country and around the world. Students who wish to pursue graduate studies may apply to the master's and doctoral degree programs offered by or in conjunction with this department.
Recommendation for prospective graduate students
Many graduate programs in biology require reading competence in two of the following languages: French, German, Russian.
Prospective graduate students who studied one of the languages for two years in high school should study another of these languages through course 2 in college. Proficiency in a computer language may be substituted for one of the foreign languages.
Undergraduate research participation
The department encourages students to participate in research programs with faculty members, without credit. This work may begin as early as feasible and continue throughout the student’s academic program. Qualified students may enroll in Biology Department courses numbered 5000-5002, 5003W, 5010-5013, 5014W.
Department honors
To be eligible for graduation with honors in biology, a student should have an average of 3.50 or higher in biology courses and complete course with distinction.
Graduate Studies
The Biology Department offers master of arts degree programs in biology and biology teacher (grades 7 through 12). Some courses may be creditable toward the CUNY doctoral degree. For information, students should consult the department’s deputy for graduate studies.
Departmental Policies
The department chairperson or designee may allow substitutions consistent with the educational goals of the program for one or more requirements in any concentration.
Biology BA
Biology BS
Courses
Courses listed below are not counted toward the requirement of no fewer than 18 credits in advanced courses for majors in this department.
Independent work means not less than three additional hours each week of conference, research, independent reading, and writing as assigned by the instructor. The student's grade is determined in part by the successful completion of this independent work.
The following inactive course(s) will only be offered if there is sufficient demand:
BIOL 3084 Evolution