Biology (BIO)

Professor Seagull, Chairperson

Professors Pumo, Sanford, Willey; Associate Professors Burke, Clendening, Daniel, Filippi, Krause, Vallier, Williams; Assistant Professors Peterson, Sarno.

The Donald E. Axinn Distinguished Professorship in Ecology and Conservation at Hofstra University. See “Academic Chairs and Professorships.”

Beta Beta Beta: a national biology honor society. See “Honors.”

Non-majors Interested in Medical Careers
Students who are interested in medical professions who are not majoring in Biology (including Post-baccalaureate Pre-Medical students) should take BIO 11 and BIO 12. Other courses may be required to meet the prerequisites for a particular program. It is strongly recommended that students interested in medical professions seek advisement from the Pre-Medical advisers in the Biology Department and in the Premedical/Prehealth Professional Studies Office in the University Advisement office.

Certificate Program in Natural Sciences  
Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Studies
This program provides the opportunity for students who hold bachelor’s degree and who have not previously studied the sciences to prepare for entrance into a medical profession of their choice. Students may also retake science courses to demonstrate an improved mastery of those subjects. Courses offered in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

Animal Dissection Policy
Practical experience with structure and function in animals is an essential component of a biology education. This experience may include the use of living or preserved animals in some laboratory exercises and may require animal dissection. Majors in biology who object to these practices based on ethical, moral, or religious grounds need to discuss their objections with the department chairperson. A student with proper advisement from their biology adviser can select a rigorous and rewarding set of biology courses that are consistent with the student’s moral, ethical, or religious beliefs. Only two required courses in the major sacrifice animals or perform animal dissection (i.e., BIO 11 and 12). For these specific courses, (BIO 11 and 12) accommodations will be made for students whose beliefs prevent them from directly participating in animal euthanasia and dissection. Students must inform the course instructor within the first week of class of their concerns/objections and submit to the chairperson of the Biology Department written documentation that substantiates their objections.

Physician Assistant Studies (PHA)

Theresa Horvath, Director

Biology/Physician Assistant Studies Programs 

BIO/PHA Courses