DEGREES
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts
CAREER IDEAS
Agronomist, Animal Scientist, Aquarium Curator, Biochemist, Biologist, Botanist, Dentist, Environmental Engineer, Forensic Science Technician, General Internist, Geneticist, Horticulturalist, Microbiologist, Oceanographer, Pharmacist, Soil Scientist, Zoologist
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS
Christopher J. Pappas, Program Coordinator
(914) 323-1276
christopher.pappas@mville.edu
In Manhattanville College’s undergraduate biology degree programs, you’ll learn why the study of life is important to our communities and our wellbeing. Biology is the gateway to curing disease, understanding illness, and learning more about the millions of species we share the planet with. As a biology major at Manhattanville, you’ll engage in-depth with topics like the study of cells, the basic building blocks of life; genes, which govern heredity; and evolution, which examines how species change or evolve. Our Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology degree programs incorporate real-world experience through work in research labs on campus, an experiential learning project which may include novel research, and in many cases, opportunities for off-campus internships. Backed by a personalizable curriculum and hands-on research experience, Manhattanville biology majors receive invaluable preparation for careers in fields related to biology or for pursuing dental school, medical school, or graduate programs for physical therapy or physicians’ assistantship.
Overview
Manhattanville College offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology degree as well as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology degree. Within these bachelor’s programs, biology students can major in:
- Environmental Science
- Environmental studies and global sustainability
- Biochemistry
- Biology
When you pursue your biology degree, you’ll build a foundation in the discipline by studying core topics such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular and evolutionary biology.
You can also specialize your B.A. or B.S. in Biology with a minor, such as biology, botany, environmental studies, or pre-medical/pre-dental studies. Additionally, biology majors enjoy opportunities to work with a research mentor, developing invaluable technical skills and laboratory experiences while learning directly from experts in the field.
If you’re interested in pursuing medical, dental, or veterinary school, entry-level careers in biology, or graduate education in fields relating to biology, the career-oriented Pre-Health Professions programs allow you to gain research experience and master relevant coursework.
The Biology Department has a strict Honor Code for students, which covers academic and personal conduct in classes, labs, and departmental activities.
Below, hear student Polin Petkova share her research and learning experience within the biology degree program.
Degree Outcomes and Careers
Manhattanville biology graduates have completed medical school, dental school, physician’s assistant programs, and other advanced programs, as well as found jobs in research, labs, aquariums, museums, forensics, and beyond.
Whether you’re preparing for grad school or for careers in fields related to biology, your faculty advisor will help guide you to the experiences that will best prepare you for post-graduation opportunities.
Students who graduate with a biology major are expected to:
- Write clear, concise research papers, applying information from primary and secondary source analysis to a specific research question or topic, with well-constructed hypotheses, meaningful scientific methodology, and correct citation practices
- Understand quantitative reasoning as it applies to skills in the biological sciences, implementing this and an understanding of the process of the scientific method to their laboratory and class projects both at the introductory level and in advanced biology electives
- Make oral presentations confidently and professionally to an audience of their peers, mentors, and colleagues
Manhattanville’s moldable, career-focused biology degree programs and small class sizes help you develop close ties with classmates and department faculty as you prepare for further education or the job search.
Biology Major Requirements
Manhattanville’s B.A. and B.S. in Biology degrees consist of at least 120 credits, and requirements vary depending on your degree path, your major, minors, and interests.
Each biology degree also features built-in research opportunities. Through independent research credits or faculty mentorships, biology majors benefit from Manhattanville’s robust research environment, its expert faculty, and its several teaching laboratory facilities.
B.A. in Biology Degree Requirements
Pursuing the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology degree program entails taking general education courses, entry-level course requirements, and a dedicated research methods course.
Other B.A. in Biology degree requirements include:
- Appropriate corequisites for a chosen pre-health or other concentration
- Minimum of three upper-level lab courses and two upper-level electives (can include an internship or independent study)
- Capstone course
Complete degree requirements for the B.A. in Biology, including undergraduate general education requirements, can be found in the Manhattanville course catalog.
B.S. in Biology Degree Requirements
If you select the B.S. in Biology degree, you’ll take further entry-level courses building a foundation in chemistry and physics. Along with a well-rounded general education curriculum, the Bachelor of Science degree requirements for biology majors also include:
- Six electives, with a minium of three lab electives
- Corequisites in math, statistics, and any area necessary to pursue the pre-health professions track or minor program
- Capstone course
Review the Manhattanville course catalog for complete B.S. in Biology degree requirements, including the general education program.
For further information about the B.S. in Biology, contact Dr. Christopher Pappas.
Biology Courses
The foundational courses you’ll take in the biology degree programs include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
You’ll also have the ability to take specialized biology courses to personalize your degree to your career goals, whether you choose a pre-health professions track, a major in environmental studies, a minor in botany, or any chosen concentration. These might include:
- Bioethics
- Environmental Ecology
- Global Environmentalism
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology Techniques
- Vertebrate Biology
- Invertebrate Zoology
- Nutrition in Health and Disease
Take Graduate Biology Courses as an Undergrad
Through the college’s bridge agreement with New York Medical College, exceptional undergraduates in the biology major can be challenged by advanced coursework and prepare for graduate school by taking master’s-level courses. To qualify for this opportunity, students must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum of two elective courses completed with a grade of B+ or better for their biology degree
- Applicable prerequisites are completed with a grade of B+ or better
- Minimum science GPA is 3.2, overall GPA minimum is a 3.4
- Demonstration of an advanced writing ability beyond an undergraduate level, as well as advanced technical laboratory skills above that of a typical undergraduate
- Approval of the Division Chair and Faculty member teaching the course is required.
The program allows a maximum of four courses or 12 credits to count towards their undergraduate biology degree lifetime as an undergraduate (either here or at a bridge school).
Full-time Faculty
Aaron Bush
Jorge Cárdenas
Anna Yeung-Cheung
Wendy J. McFarlane
Nirupama Narayanan
Christopher J. Pappas
Nancy Todd
Adjunct Faculty
Roger Bender
Andre Botero
David Cassuto
Laura Feinblum
Volodia Georgiev
Tara Jarboe
Lucia Maestro Martinez
Sunera Rahman
Lab Manager
Please contact any of the above faculty or the Division Chair for more information.
Division Chair: Christopher J. Pappas, Christopher.Pappas@mville.edu, (914) 323-1276
Admissions and Aid
Manage the cost of earning a B.A. or B.S. in Biology with the help of scholarships and various financial aid sources. Review the financial aid programs and scholarships available to Manhattanville undergraduates.
Earn a B.A. or B.S. in Biology at Manhattanville College
Through our undergraduate biology degree programs, students gain both a breadth of foundational knowledge and a depth of understanding in their personal and professional interest areas.
If you’re ready to learn from faculty mentors in top-of-the-line research settings while preparing for graduate school and future careers in biology, request information about the B.S. or B.A. in Biology degree program.
Pre-Professional and Minor Programs
In addition to the Biology B.A. and B.S., Manhattanville offers the following bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the sciences:
- B.A./B.S. in Biochemistry
- B.A./B.S. in Chemistry
- B.S. in Environmental Science
- M.S. in Biomedical Science
Pre-Health Track for Biology Majors
Biology majors preparing for medical school, dental school, and other advanced health science professions can enroll in Manhattanville’s Pre-Health program. Through one-on-one advising, the Pre-Health pathway ensures you take essential courses and prepare for graduate school entrance exams, interviews, and the application process.
Review the Pre-Health program information.
Minors
Adding a minor to your Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree broadens your perspective and adds depth to your skillset. Science minors that could complement your biochemical education include:
- Minor in Physics
- Minor in Health Sciences
- Minor in Environmental Studies
- Minor in Nutrition