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  • Explore the frontiers of biology


    Through undergraduate research, study a broad range of subjects in biological sciences with professors who value and take pride in their teaching.

  • Explore the frontiers of biology


    Through undergraduate research, study a broad range of subjects in biological sciences with professors who value and take pride in their teaching.

Biology Major


Gain valuable experience by carrying out undergraduate research. Advance into top graduate programs and gain valuable skills for immediate entry into the job market or succeed in applying to medical, veterinary, pharmacy or dental school!

What Will I Learn?


Biology is a rapidly advancing field and we will prepare you to adapt to the continual shifts in new technologies and challenges to our health and planet. The biology major prepares you with a rigorous liberal arts education and a strong base in all major disciplines within biology. You will study subjects including genetics, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and ecology. The biology degree provides excellent training for anyone planning on a career in the health sciences or seeking to go on to other post-graduate education.

What is Unique About Our Program?


Dedication to Teaching & Providing Hands-on Experience

Biology should not be learned just from books or staring at screens, but also from real life experience in the lab and field interacting with living systems. Most of our required core classes have associated laboratories reflecting our department’s commitment to providing you the highest quality practical training and active learning. Our facilities include extremely well-equipped molecular biology labs in our Science Complex, complete with cutting-edge tools like our DNA sequencer and PCR machine (used in forensics). We also offer a herbarium and greenhouse!

You will have the opportunity to partner with talented faculty to conduct research in high-interest areas like ecology, parasitology, botany, genetics, neurobiology, microbiology, and phage therapy, with the possibility of publication and/or presenting you results at a scientific conference.

In addition, you’ll have the ability to obtain internships that will give you an edge entering the job market. Whether you’re interested in entering a health-related field, environmental science or conservation, or advancing your studies with a graduate program, you will find something enriching and relevant.

What Are My Career Opportunities?


If you are planning on a career in the health sciences, we offer dedicated pre-health advisement on the best strategies for making the strongest applications to medical school. We will prepare you to succeed in graduate school in areas such as molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, botany, zoology, ecology and evolution or to compete successfully for laboratory positions in biotechnology and molecular biology.

Health-Related Professions with a Future

If you enjoy biology, chemistry and laboratory work and are looking for a challenging career with excellent job opportunities, then the medical technology or cytotechnology programs may be for you. Most of our graduates have multiple job offers by the time they complete their clinical internship. For more information please visit the med-tech/cytotech program pages.

Recent Biology Graduates

Graduates of our biology major have recently been accepted to professional programs at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Mercy College of Health Sciences, New York University School of Engineering and East Virginia Medical School, among others. Here are a few of our recent student successes and we invite you to read about what our alumni have to say about biological sciences at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Andrew Jimenez

Class of 2020

  • Accepted into the M.S. biomedical engineering program at New York University School of Engineering

Alyssa Smith

Class of 2020

  • Accepted into the accelerated nursing program at Mercy College School of Nursing

Deena Bader

Class of 2018

  • Starting the pathologists’ assistant program at Eastern Virginia Medical School
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