The Biology & Society Major: Requirements
Requirements for the major are listed below. A full description and listings of courses that satisfy the requirements can be obtained in 306 Rockefeller Hall. Also refer to the section on Biology & Society in Courses of Study.
Biology & Society Requirements:
Starting with the class of 2014, we will no longer accept AP Biology to fulfill the introductory biology requirement.
- Introductory biology (BioG 1105/1106; or two of the following: BioEE 1610 or BioSM 1610, BioEE 1780 or BioSM 1780, BioG 1440 or BioG 1445, or BioMG 1350. Students are not required to take BioG 1500, but may wish to for a lab experience. BioG 1105/1106 is no longer offered.
- College calculus (one course)
- Ethics (one course)
- Two social sciences/humanities foundation courses
- Three biology foundation courses
- One biology depth course
- Statistics (one course)
- Core course
- Five theme courses (a coherent group of five courses relevant to the student’s special interest in Biology and Society, including a senior seminar that serves as a capstone course for the major).
No single course may satisfy more than one major requirement. With the exception of the four elective courses in the theme (2 biology electives and 2 humanities/social sciences electives), all courses must be chosen from the Biology & Society official course list. Courses used for the Major must be at least 3 credit hours, at least 2000-level (except Math 1710, NS 1150, NS 1220, BSOC 1941 and 1942), and taken for a letter grade. Students should develop their theme and select their courses in consultation with a member of the Biology & Society faculty. A list of faculty is available in 306 Rockefeller Hall.
Independent Study and Honors Research
Majors are encouraged to do independent study or honors research. Projects under the direction of a Biology & Society faculty mentor can be developed as a part of the program of study within the student's concentration area. Further information can be found in Courses of Study or is available in the Biology & Society office, 306 Rockefeller Hall. NOTE: At this time Biology & Society honors research is available to majors from the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Arts and Sciences, and Human Ecology. Human Ecology students should contact Professor Kay Obendorf (182 MVR, 255-4719) for information.
Contact Information
Sue Sullivan
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
The Biology & Society Major
Dept of Science & Technology Studies
306 Rockefeller Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
Telephone: (607) 255-6047
Email: sfc1@cornell.edu