Direct admission to the dual-degree program (BA and MA)

Incoming first-year students may apply for direct admission to this dual-degree program. For those who choose to submit a standardized test score, an 1170 or better on the critical reading and mathematics sections of the SAT (or an ACT score of 25) is recommended.  Applicants must have an overall high school GPA of 3.5 (or be in the top 15 percent of their high school graduating class) in order to be considered for admission.  First-year students admitted directly to the dual-degree program will be admitted automatically to the MA program in urban ecology at the end of their junior year provided they fulfill the following requirements:

1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.0 in biology courses at the time of application to the MA program, or upon completion of 92 s.h. of course work toward their BA degree in urban ecology.
2. Successful completion of BIO 011 , 012 , 013 , 014 , 015  and 020  by the end of the semester in which they apply for admission to the dual-degree program.

Admission to the dual-degree B.A. in Urban Ecology/M.A. in Urban Ecology for current Hofstra students

Qualified Hofstra students taking the B.A. major in urban ecology may apply for admission to the dual-degree program prior to completing 92 s.h. of undergraduate course work. Students applying to the dual-degree program should note that admission requires they fulfill the following requirements:

1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.0 in biology courses at the time of application to the M.A. program, or upon completion of 92 s.h. of course work toward their B.A. degree in urban ecology;
2. Successful completion of BIO 011 , 012 , 013 , 014 , 015 , and 020  by the semester in which they apply for admission to the dual-degree program.

All students admitted to the dual-degree B.A. in urban ecology/M.A. in urban ecology must complete a total of 148 s.h.: 33 s.h. of graduate work and 115 s.h. toward their undergraduate degree. Graduate courses BIO 200, 201, and 275, taken in the senior year, are credited to both the B.A. and M.A. degree requirements.

Students accepted into the dual-degree program who have attained senior standing may begin taking graduate courses.

Undergraduate requirements for the B.A. Major in Urban Ecology

Students should apply to the department as soon as possible after making the decision to major in urban ecology. The department encourages interested students to speak with an urban ecology adviser before declaring a major. Advisers are assigned when the student applies for acceptance as a major. Grades in biology courses lower than a C- do not count toward the total number of semester hours required for the biology major.

1. The complete requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree , as specified in this Bulletin;
2. The following undergraduate major requirements for the B.A. in urban ecology:

Undergraduate Program Requirements

Requirements for the M.A. in Urban Ecology:—33 Semester Hours

All students should meet with the Graduate Program Director at least once each semester. BIO 200, 201 and 275 are required, and will be taken by dual-degree candidates in the final year of undergraduate study. BIO 303, and an additional 21 s.h. of graduate course work are required. Of the total required 33 s.h. for the M.A., 27 s.h. must be in biology; the remaining 6 s.h. may be taken in biology or, with the graduate program director’s permission, in other related disciplines. BIO 203 is recommended.

Dual-degree candidates must complete a total of 148 s.h.: 33 s.h. of graduate work and 115 s.h. toward their undergraduate degree. BIO 200, 201, and 275 are credited to both the BA and MA degree requirements.  

Graduate students must receive a grade of B or better in their biology courses.