Biological Sciences

Overview

SUNY Oswego students doing research in Brazil's Pantanal region.

Biology studies living things from plants and animals to bacteria and cyanobacteria to protistans and fungi. The Biology BA and BS programs provide students opportunities to study the unifying principles of biology while participating in research activities. Courses include studying inheritance, cellular biology, development, structure, function, classification, behavior, environments, populations and evolution.

Zoology deals with the study of animals from the cellular level to the organismal level to the population level. Our Zoology programs provide students with exceptional opportunities to concentrate in zoological studies at any of those levels. BA and BS programs in Zoology provide a basic understanding of zoology through a variety of laboratory experiences in combination with the study of facts and theories. Flexibility, strength and depth in undergraduate training are basic objectives of the Zoology programs.

Majors and Programs

• Bachelor of arts and bachelor in science Biology degrees and a teaching Biology Certification (7-12)
• Bachelor of arts and bachelor in science Zoology degrees
• Program in Zoo Technology leading to BS in Zoology and associate degree from articulating school.
• Articulation program in Doctor of Physical Therapy with SUNY Upstate Medical Center leading to BS in Biology from SUNY Oswego and DPT from SUNY Upstate.
• Collaboration with Chemistry department on Biochemistry major.

Student Opportunities

Whether interacting with Oswego’s natural surroundings -- including the massive Rice Creek Biological Field Station -- or performing hands-on work in facilities like the Mass Spectrometer and Proteomics Center or Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Center, opportunities to learn and grow are as abundant as the species you can study.

Learning opportunities can take Oswego students into the wild for research in such areas as the Virgin Islands and Brazilian Pantanal or to internships in laboratories, medical centers and zoos.

A strong Biology Club allows students to make connections with peers, professors and alumni while presenting programs of interest to the campus and community.

A wide variety of student awards and fellowships provide intensive research opportunities and awards for our most driven students.

Faculty

Our outstanding faculty are committed to a high standard of teaching, research and service to the college community. We believe in building a learning-centered community where the discovery of knowledge plays an important role in every student's academic career. 

You'll find members of the department share a commitment to high-quality teaching, research and academic advisement, and who work closely with individual students and student organizations.

Chair
Richard C. Back II

Full Time Faculty
Richard C. Back II
Timothy F. Braun
Anthony L. Contento
Jenifer Cruickshank
C. Eric Hellquist
Lucina Hernandez
Terry L. Kamps
James A. MacKenzie
Kamal I. Mohamed
Jennifer C. Olori
Peter A. Rosenbaum
James L. Seago
Karen R. Sime
Sofia Windstam

Adjunct Faculty
Elizabeth Balko
Ronald Graham
John W. Laundre
Michael McDonald
Cleane Medeiros
Emily Oaks

Support Staff
Lisa Brancato (Academic Advisor)
Kirsten Stanton (Instructional Support)
Sandra Nichols (Clerical)

After Oswego

The strengths and opportunities available through our program is reflected in the many paths graduates follow. Some alumni hold laboratory or technical jobs at hospitals, universities or cancer instititues. Others pursue careers working with animals in zoos, veterinary practices or preservation areas.

Many graduates pursue medical doctorate (MDs) degrees at such institutions as Boston University, SUNY Upstate Medical University or the Ross University of Medicine; Ph.Ds, including at the University of Maryland at Baltimore (biochemistry), University of Tennessee, Knoxville (genome science and technology) or University of Minnesota (forest hydrology and watershed management); or doctor of veterinary medicine programs at the Cornell Veterinary School, Kansas State University or St. George's University. Others earn advanced degrees in physical therapy, physician assistant programs, the zoological professions or other disciplines.