Biology, B.S. Four-Year Degree Map for Bulletin Year 2022-2023

First Year

Fall Classes - 15.5 credits Credits Spring Classes - 15.5 credits Credits
ENGL 1010: English Composition I
Pathways Required Core
3 ENGL 1012: English Composition II
Pathways Required Core
3
MATH 1011: Precalculus Mathematics
Pathways Required Core. (Depending on Math placement, some students may be required to take MATH 1012 in lieu of MATH 1011, or MATH 1006 prior to MATH 1011. See an advisor to confirm your math placement.)
3 Creative Expression
Pathways Flexible Core
3
BIOL 1001: General Biology I
Major (Also fulfills Pathways Required Core)
4.5 BIOL 1002: General Biology II
Major
4.5
CHEM 1200: General Chemistry I (Lecture)
Major (Also fulfills Pathways Required Core. Depending on Math placement, some students may be required to take CHEM 1050 and CHEM 2060 and CHEM 1201, in a two-term sequence. See an advisor to confirm your placement.)
3.5 CHEM 2200: General Chemistry II (Lecture)
Major (Also fulfills Pathways College Option)
3.5
CHEM 1201: General Chemistry I (Lab)
Major
1.5 CHEM 2201: General Chemistry II (Lab)
Major
1.5

Second Year

Fall Classes - 17 credits Credits Spring Classes - 14 credits Credits
Individual & Society
Pathways Flexible Core
3 Scientific World
Pathways Flexible Core
3
U.S. Experience in Its Diversity
Pathways Flexible Core
3 World Cultures & Global Issues
Pathways Flexible Core
3
BIOL 3003: Microbiology
Major
3 BIOL 3011: Genetics
Major
3
BIOL 3004: Microbiology Laboratory
Major
2 CHEM 3511: Organic Chemistry I Lecture
Major
3
CHEM 2110: Principles of Chemical Reactivity
General Elective
2 CHEM 3512: Organic Chemistry I Lab
Major
2
MATH 1201 Calculus or PSYC 3400 Statistical Methods in Psychological Research
Major
4    

Third Year

Fall Classes - 14 credits Credits Spring Classes - 15 credits Credits
Creative Expression
Pathways Flexible Core
3 College Option
Pathways College Option
3
College Option
Pathways College Option
3 College Option
Pathways College Option
3
Approved BIOL Elective**
Major
3 Approved BIOL Elective**
Major
3
CHEM 3521: Organic Chemistry II Lecture
Major
3 Approved BIOL Elective**
Major
3
CHEM 3522: Organic Chemistry II Lab
Major
2 General Elective
General Elective
3

Fourth Year

Fall Classes - 15 credits Credits Spring Classes - 14 credits Credits
BIOL 3006 or BIOL 3007W Evolution
Major
3 General Elective
General Elective
3
Approved BIOL Elective**
Major
3 General Elective
General Elective
3
General Elective
General Elective
3 General Elective
General Elective
3
General Elective
General Elective
3 General Elective
General Elective
3
General Elective
General Elective
3 General Elective
General Elective
2

Degree Details

36 Pathways Credits*

56 Major Credits

28 General Elective Credits

Students may apply a minor towards their general elective credits.

120 Total Credits

*The Pathways curriculum is typically 42 credits. However, the Biology major includes two courses (BIO 1001, CHEM 1200, CHEM 2200 and MATH 1201) that also satisfy Pathways requirements. Therefore, students majoring in Biology only need to complete 36 additional Pathways credits.

Candidates for a B.S. degree with a major in biology must complete at least 60 credits in science and mathematics; 24 of these 60 credits must be completed in advanced courses in the Biology Department. These 24 credits must be completed at Brooklyn College with a grade of C- or higher in each course. A student with a grade of D+ or lower in any course applied toward fulfillment of department requirements must repeat the course until a grade of C- or higher is earned, or offer another course of equal or higher rank.

The following courses may be applied toward the 60 credits in science and mathematics:

  • A) All courses in the departments of biology, chemistry, computer and information science, earth and environmental sciences, mathematics, physics and psychology.
  • B) Courses marked with a (#) symbol in the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences.
  • C) ANTH 1200, 3230, 3240, 3250, 3260, 3235, 3440, Core Studies 5, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2, Core Curriculum 1300 through 1399, BIOL 1010, CHEM 1007, PHYS 1005, EESC 1010, Core Curriculum 3301 through 3399, ECON 3400, 4410, 3410, 4422, PHIL 3203, 3204, 3601, KINS 3271, 3275, 3281, 3285, 4200W, 4229, 4251, SOCY 2701, MCHC 2001

**At least 12 credits of the following: Biology 2001, 2002 or 2002W, 2010, 2020 or Psychology 2610, Biology 3020 or Psychology 3610, Biology 3030W, 3083, 4001, 4009 or 4010W or Computer and Information Science 2810, Biology 4011, 4012, 4013, 4022, Biology 4024W, Biology 4025, Biology 4026, 4027, 5000 or 5001 or 5003W or 5010 or 5014W, Biology 5020, Chemistry 4581.

The four-year degree map is designed to help you take the right courses in the right order so you can graduate in four years. It also helps you distinguish what courses qualify as Pathways courses, or Major courses, or General Elective courses. Ideally, you should follow the four-year degree map as closely as possible, but you are free to make some adjustments so long as the prerequisite requirements are satisfied.

In conjunction with the four-year degree map, you should review Degree Works, and the Brooklyn College website, for an approved list of courses in your major. Overall, it is best to review your degree map with your advisor on a regular basis.

Contact Information

Department of Biology
221 Ingersoll Hall Extension
Dr. Shaneen Singh, Deputy Chairperson
Ssingh@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Go back to the Degree Maps List