A two-semester sequence of lectures and associated laboratories, designed for science majors, that introduces students to the central concepts of modern biology and the multi-faceted approaches to the study of the phenomenon of life. Basic processes in living organisms are explored at the following levels of organization: molecules, cells, organs and organ systems, organisms, and ecosystems, all in the context of evolution. Topics include cell structure and function, genetics and information transfer, molecular biology, bioenergetics, animal development, biodiversity and biosystematics, plant and animal morphology and physiology, ecology, behavior, and the mechanisms of evolution.
Ordering of topics in this year-long two-course sequence is not uniform across SUNY campuses. If a prospective transfer student has completed only one semester of General Biology (or Principles of Biology), biology faculty at the respective campus will evaluate the syllabus of the completed course, in order to place the student into the appropriate course to complete the introductory requirement for the biology major.
Students must complete both semesters at the same campus to be guaranteed transfer.
Core Courses are courses that fulfill lower-level requirements and apply to any transfer path major where they appear. General Biology I and II with Labs is universal course description, which maps to specific courses on SUNY campuses. Approved SUNY Transfer Path Core Courses are guaranteed to transfer to fulfill requirements in the major and/or required cognates (not just as electives) at all SUNY campuses if the course is completed with a grade of C or better.1 You may Search for Core Course equivalents using the Transfer Navigator.
1 While a grade of C or better is guaranteed, campuses can have different policies where they accept a passing grade lower than C. Pass/Fail courses may be accepted at the discretion of the campus, but transfer is not guaranteed.