Biology
Biology Program Overview
Manhattanville University offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology degree as well as a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology degree. Within these bachelor’s programs, biology students can major in:
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies and Global Sustainability
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 BA or BS in Biology with a minor, such as biology, environmental studies, exercise science, nutrition, 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.
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. They may find jobs as agronomists, animal scientists, aquarium curators, biochemists, biologists, botanists, dentists, environmental engineers, forensic science technicians, general internists, geneticists, horticulturalists, microbiologists, oceanographers, pharmacists, soil scientists, zoologists, and more.
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.
Manhattanville’s BA and BS 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.
BA in Biology Degree Requirements
Pursuing the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology degree program entails taking general
education courses, entry-level course requirements, and a dedicated research methods
course.
Other BA 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 BA in Biology, including undergraduate general education requirements, can be found in the Manhattanville course catalog.
BS in Biology Degree Requirements
If you select the BS 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 BS in Biology degree requirements, including the general education program.
For further information about the BS 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
- Exercise Science
- Global Environmentalism
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology Techniques
- Vertebrate Biology
- Invertebrate Zoology
- Nutrition in Health and Disease
In our accelerated dual degree program, you can add a graduate degree to your already-flexible bachelor’s degree in just one year, opening advanced career opportunities and saving on graduate tuition.
Manage the cost of earning a BA or BS 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 BA or BS in Biology at Manhattanville
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 BA or BS in Biology degree program. Or, begin your Manhattanville application.
In addition to the Biology BA and BS, Manhattanville offers the following bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the sciences:
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:
