With a biology degree from Buffalo State, you will study how living things work and connect. Through hands-on labs, fieldwork, research, and internships, you’ll build real-world skills for careers in biology-related fields. Whether you plan to attend medical or health professional school, pursue graduate study, or explore a career in the life sciences, this program provides a strong scientific foundation.
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Degrees Offered
Biology, B.A.: prepares students for research, professional employment, and/or study at the graduate level.
Biology, B.S.: supplements a full curriculum in biology with significant ancillary science and mathematics courses, preparing students for both careers at the bachelor's degree level and for graduate education in the fields of biology, health, and medicine.
Biology, M.A.: prepares students for professional employment and advanced degrees in fields ranging from ecology and evolution to biotechnology and health sciences.
Science Education, M.S. Ed.: designed for individuals holding an undergraduate degree in a core science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Geology, Physics).
Health Careers
The healthcare and social assistance sector is projected to see the largest job growth and be the fastest-growing industry, with about 1.9 million openings annually.
Buffalo State is a great place to begin your career journey in medicine, dentistry, and other healthcare fields.
Through hands-on experience and expert pre-health advisement, graduates are prepared to enter a wide range of clinical healthcare and healthcare support roles, public and community health positions, and counseling careers.
- flexible degree programs tailored to your specific health-career goals
- expert pre-health advisement
- ample opportunities for hands-on learning
- professional internships
- undergraduate research experiences
55%
Biology students pursuing independent research or outside-of-class projects
$100M+
Investment in renovation for our state-of-the-art Science and Mathematics Complex
1-1
Individualized guidance and research supervision
$71K
Median annual salary for biology graduates in the U.S.
Who Hires Our Students?
Biology is the study of life and has numerous subfields, each of which contains even smaller subdivisions. As a biologist, you may find yourself focusing on plants, cells, evolution, genetics, molecules, animals, or a number of other living subjects.
Whether you plan to go to medical or other health professional schools, continue to graduate study, or begin a career in the life sciences, this program provides a strong base in both knowledge and hands-on skills.
Depending on their individual degree programs, biology majors are prepared for many different pursuits after graduation:
- Perform laboratory, field, or quality-control work as a biologist
- Teach biology and general science in grades 7–12
- Find careers in nursing, medical, and health service management, and various support roles
- Pursue a graduate degree, attractive both to students interested in pre-medicine or public health and students wanting to pursue careers in environmental biology, aquatic biology, or fishery
Here is a small sample of potential biology career paths:
- Agriculture/Food Science
- Animal Behavior/Science/Health
- Aquarium Management
- Arbory/Botany (trees/plants)
- Entomology (insects)
- Environmental Science Forensics
- Fish & Game Conservation
- Horticulture (gardening)
- Marine Biology/Oceanography
- Medical Genetics
- Paleontology (fossils)
- Toxicology (poisons)
- Veterinary Science
- Water Conservation/Reclamation
- Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Zoo Management
Biology is also an excellent undergraduate degree for those looking to become human medical professionals (doctors, dentists, pharmacists).
Biology Club: aims to bring together future scientists and help them further their understanding of biology through events, seminars, and field trips
WNY PRISM: The Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management works with local scientific organizations to restore and protect Western New York’s natural resources
Learn more about WNY PRISM
Biology Honors Program: enables undergraduate students with outstanding academic potential to participate in biological research
Working with a faculty member who is a practicing scientist, Buffalo State students can gain experiences not offered by regular courses and can learn first-hand the demands of biological research. Faculty mentors can also provide career information in their area of expertise and write letters of recommendation when students apply to graduate schools or professional programs.
Summer Research Fellowships enable undergraduate students to complete eight weeks of full-time research and creative activities.
Students may also apply for independent study research opportunities.
Biology students may explore internships in the medical or allied health fields, in research, at zoos or museums, and in biotechnology firms. Internship opportunities have included:
- CH# Biosystems
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute
- SPCA
- Buffalo State's Weigel Health Center
- Various veterinary hospitals
- Aquarium of Niagara
- Hawk Creek Wildlife (Rehabilitation) Center
Work Study Opportunities
Positions are available in office, stockroom, and greenhouse/animal room settings.
Great Lakes Center Field Station
Biology faculty, many of whom worked for years in laboratories and other scientific backgrounds, provide instruction, guidance, and advisement to majors and have the professional connections to secure placement in fieldwork and internships.
Eckert Herbarium (ECK)
This on-campus herbarium houses a large collection of vascular plants and flora for student observation and study.
Comprehensive Graduate Program
The biology master’s is divided into a research-focused thesis track (original research conducted with a faculty member) and a course-focused comprehensive exam track (coursework and a culminating examination). Many courses are offered in the evenings and online, making the program convenient for working professionals.
Minor Options
Students may pursue minors in biology and human biology.