Biology & Society Major

The Biology & Society Major is designed for students who wish to combine training in biology with perspectives from the social sciences and humanities on the social, political and ethical aspects of modern biology. Many of the most critical social concerns of our time -- food and population; impact of genetic engineering and new medical technologies; testing for drugs; AIDS and genes; the influence of heredity versus environment on human behavior; environmental quality; and ethical, legal and social aspects of modern medical practice -- are innately biological. At the same time, each of these issues is inherently a social concern and involves complex relations between biological and sociocultural forces. The Biology & Society major is intended to provide the skills and perspectives to enable its students to systematically confront these and many other social-biological issues. For a detailed description of the Major, see the section on Biology & Society in the Courses of Study.

An individual plan

Each student's program incorporating the requirements of the major is planned in consultation with a faculty member and is designed to accommodate individual goals and interests. Students who complete the requirements for the Biology & Society major leave Cornell with well-developed writing and analytical skills and with the ability to confront complex issues. Biology & Society graduates are thus equipped to enter a variety of careers. Students have found the Major is also excellent preparation for law, medicine, health services administration, and other professional schools and for graduate programs in genetic counseling, nutrition, clinical psychology, public health, environmental studies, anthropology, sociology or other related fields. Students have gone on to successful careers in the healthcare industry, legal profession, policymaking, scientific research, and many other exciting professions.  

At the time of graduation, students majoring in Biology & Society should be able to:

• Apply knowledge and analytical approaches in several major domains of the biological sciences that reflects a breadth and depth of understanding;
• Identify, analyze, and evaluate social and ethical issues in the conduct of biological research and application of biological knowledge;
• Describe the social dimensions in the way biological information and knowledge is produced and used that reflect the reciprocity between biology and society and that can draw on analytic perspectives in fields as history, sociology, economics, political science, law, and science & technology studies;
• Employ basic statistical methods to analyze quantitative information;
• Design an educational program in the major around their needs and interests at and beyond Cornell.

Graduates of the program have moved on to careers in law, medicine, public health, public policy, business, research, and academia.

A list of the Biology and Society courses currently offered is available through the current Courses of Study.

Please note the following:

• For a course to count towards the major, it must be passed with a grade of at least C-.
• Courses must be at least three credits to count towards the major.
• No single course may satisfy more than one major requirement.
• AP credit is not accepted by the Biology & Society major to fulfill the Intro Bio requirement.
• Independent Study and Lab courses cannot be used to fulfill major requirements.
• For students interested in the pre-health track, CHEM 2070/2080 or similar is recommended.

Course Requirements:

• One year (two semesters) of introductory biology.
  • NOTE: A minimum average grade of C is required for the two introductory biology courses.
• One calculus course
• One statistics course
• One ethics course (BSOC 2051 or BSOC 2061)
• Two social sciences/humanities “foundation” courses (usually 2000 level or above)
• Three biology “foundation” courses (usually 2000 level or above)
• One biology “depth” course (usually 3000 level or above). This must be a course for which one of the biology foundation courses is a prerequisite.
• One Biology and Society “core” course (BSOC 2468, BSOC 2071, or BSOC 3011)
• Five “theme” courses: a coherent group of five courses in the student’s chosen theme, or area of special interest. The theme allows you to design your own area of focus (sort of like a minor) within the major. When it come to the intersection of the biological sciences and society, what are you really passionate about? Perhaps it’s environmental justice, or global health inequalities, or the life sciences and the law, or healthcare policy. The theme could be any topic that speaks to your personal, academic or career interests. Now, pick five courses that help you explore that topic.

Theme course requirements:

• Two courses in the natural sciences (level 2000 or above)
• Two courses in the social sciences or humanities (level 2000 or above)
• One senior seminar course, in social sciences or humanities, that (1) is 4000-level or above, (2) is 3 credits or above, and (3) has a significant focus on some aspect of the life sciences (for example biological science, medicine, environment, healthcare, the body)

Major Forms 

Course Checklist (Major Requirements) 

Petition for BSOC Off-Campus Credit

Petition for BSOC On-Campus Credit

Major Resources

BSOC Course Offerings

Suggested Curriculum 

Approved Depth Courses 

BSOC Career Paths

Key Requirements:

• Completion of one-year of college-level biology or two entry-level biology courses with an average minimum grade of C/2.0
• Completion of Calculus or Statistics (AP credits accepted)

NOTE: Students in the process of completing these prerequisites may be admitted to the Major on a provisional basis. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that final acceptance is granted on completion of the prerequisite requirements.

Important notes:

• Although only the introductory courses area prerequisite for acceptance, students will find it useful to have completed at least 5 total BSOC major requirements by the end of their sophomore year (see checklist).
• Biology & Society majors may not double major in Biological Sciences. This policy will apply to new students entering Fall 2018 and after.
• Juniors are considered on a case-by-case basis. Upper-division applicants should realize the difficulties of completing the Major requirements in less than two years.

Biology & Society Major Application

CALS First-Year and Transfer students: While CALS students declare a major already during their first-year or transfer year, their continued study in the major is contingent upon submission of the BSOC CALS Course Plan and Theme form during the sophomore year or within the first year after transfer. (In CALS terms, this is sometimes referred to as a Statement of Intent.) This is to ensure that all students meet the minimum requirements by the end of their sophomore year.

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 by contacting the Biology & Society office, bsoc@cornell.edu.

To apply for independent study, please complete the on-line form at: https://data.arts.cornell.edu/as-stus/indep_study_intro.cfm 

NOTE: At this time Biology & Society honors research is available to majors from the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Arts and Sciences. 

Students who wish to complete an original research project and write an undergraduate thesis have the opportunity to apply for the Biology & Society Honors program. For some honors students, the research is conducted in a laboratory under the supervision of a faculty member in science or engineering. Students working in laboratories typically pursue questions that are formulated by their project supervisor and use methods that are common in biological sciences. Students pursuing such laboratory-based research nonetheless include at least one BSOC faculty member on their committee and reflect in their thesis on the broader social implications of their projects. Students drawing on social scientific or humanities-based methods are more likely to develop their own questions, with the guidance of their project supervisor. 

Honors Program Application Requirements

1. Formation of Honors Committee: Two Cornell Faculty members to act as Project Supervisor and Project Advisor, one of which must be a BSOC faculty member
2. Project Description: ~300 words
3. Minimum GPA: 3.3 at time of applying and maintained through duration of program
4. Outstanding Major Requirements: Honors Program applicants must have 4 or fewer outstanding major requirements to complete during their senior year.

Biology & Society Honors Program Application

Director of Undergraduate Studies:
Associate Professor, Rebecca Slayton (sts-bsoc-dus@cornell.edu)

Undergraduate Coordinator:
David Ryan (bsoc@cornell.edu)

Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) Advising Coordinator:
Rivka Green (bsoc@cornell.edu)