Careers in the biological sciences are challenging and intensely rewarding, and there are a wealth of opportunities available to those with a hunger to understand how living things work and interact with the natural world.
You can prepare for these opportunities by earning your Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology at St. John's University. Offered by St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 120-credit program is your ticket to success in this demanding field. Biologists study living organisms and their relationship to the environment. Most specialize in fields such as microbiology, immunology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, botany, and ecology.
As a biology major at St. John’s, you benefit from an internationally known faculty and outstanding academic resources. Through coursework and research opportunities, you develop a broad vocabulary in biology and master the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in writing, speech and visual representations.
Graduates have confidence in their understanding of the foundational principles of biology, proficiency in the techniques and practical applications of modern field and laboratory biology, and the ability to conduct scientific studies of biological systems and present findings in scientific formats.
As a Biology major, you may be eligible to pursue pathways to graduate programs in the School of Education.
Contact
Dr. Rachel Zuffery
Coordinator B.S. Biology
[email protected]
- Degree Type
- BS
- Area of Interest
- Science & Mathematics
- Associated Colleges or Schools
- Program Location
- Queens Campus
- Required Credit Hours
- 120
Department Contact
Admission
For more information about admission to this and other acclaimed undergraduate programs at St. John’s University, please visit Undergraduate Admission.
Courses
To earn the B.S. in Biology, you complete 120 credits including core, major sequence, and elective requirements. The major sequence and elective requirements are outlined below. For more information about courses, please see the St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of our Undergraduate Bulletin.
| Course | Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO | 1000 | Fundamentals of Biology I | 3 |
| BIO | 1001L | Lab corequisite with BIO 1000 | 1 |
| BIO | 2000 | Fundamentals of Biology II | 3 |
| BIO | 2000L | Lab corequisite with BIO 2000 | 1 |
| BIO | 3000 | Fundamentals of Biology III | 3 |
| BIO | 3000L | Lab corequisite with BIO 3000 | 1 |
| BIO | Choose 5 BIO elective courses for at least 17 credits. |
| Course | Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHE | 1210 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHE | 1220 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHE | 2230 | Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| CHE | 2240 | Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| MTH | 1210 | Bio-Statistics | 4 |
| MTH | 1220 | Calculus, Biological Applications | 4 |
| PHY | 1610, 1620 | College Physics I and II | 8 |
| OR | |||
| PHY | 1930, 1940 | University Physics I and II | 8 |
* BIO 1050, 1060, 1360 and 1600 are not applicable to the major sequence.
We encourage you to take advantage of research opportunities: BIO 4953 and 4954.
Success Beyond the Classroom
Students majoring in Biology at St. John's gain a solid foundation in the theory and application of biological and other scientific concepts and principles.
They learn and are mentored by an enormously gifted, internationally known faculty of scholar-teachers who care about each student's progress. Faculty encourage students to conduct their own research and to serve as partners in faculty research in the University's recently upgraded biology laboratories.
Students develop a strong academic and professional edge by joining any of St. John's more than 180 student clubs and organizations.
Clubs and honor societies of particular interest to Biology majors include these:
- Roger Bacon Scientific Honors Society: Honor society for biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, psychology or environmental studies
- Watson Pre-Health Honor Society
- Omicron Delta Epsilon: International honor society for economics
The Skull and Circle Honor Society and the Lambda Kappa Phi Honor Society annually select students from St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who combine scholarship, integrity, and dedicated service to the St. John's community.
Other facilities include high-tech classrooms, laboratories and our 1.7 million-volume University Library. Our D’Angelo Center is a five-story, 127,000-square-foot University and Student Center with classrooms, lecture halls, a Starbucks Café and a full-service food court.
All students take advantage of St. John’s location in dynamic New York City. Our faculty and Career Services have strong ties to employers and other professional and educational resources throughout the New York area.
Success at St. John's
Biology Student’s Research Focuses on Celiac Disease
Audrey O’Connor, a Biology major and Chemistry minor in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, spent last summer researching Celiac disease as part of a 10-week research program at Colorado State University.
Highlight
When Audrey is not examining ground-breaking research, she is on St. John’s Queens, NY, campus, serving as a Resident Assistant at the Seton Complex. She is also a member of the President’s Society—the University’s highest honor society—and a recent recipient of the Silver Key, an award given to outstanding juniors in each department.
