Biology Degree | Trocaire College | Buffalo, NY Skip to content Complete your application for Fall 2026! Priority deadline is May 1, 2026 Apply Today! 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The program also prepares graduates to further their education in graduate and professional schools. Students who complete the core courses and electives gain fundamental natural science skills and a deep understanding of the biological principles governing life. Graduates obtain the skills needed to be independent, life-long learners, including the ability to evaluate scientific issues that affect daily life and society. The program is designed to maximize diverse academic interests, allowing a flexible curricular pathway where students can customize their elective choices to meet their professional goals and interests. In addition to completing a BPS Biology core, students take an array of electives allowing them specialized instruction in areas such as public health, biological research, or biology generalist. Trocaire’s BPS in Biology is designed for all students seeking accessible, flexible baccalaureate education. The program maximizes progression for direct entry, transfer as well as degree completers through a flexible curriculum with seated, online and hands on experiential course selections. This degree provides students with a solid scientific background to start their healthcare education or to seek fulfilling employment in the healthcare, science, pharmaceutical sales and education fields. Additionally, students can choose to customize their education by taking courses in various focus areas such as Public Health or Biological Research, or pursue a pre-med pathway. Program Format Time of Program: 15-week courses. Day, evening, seated and online. Mode of Delivery: Hybrid (On-site/seated and Online) Apply Now Visit Trocaire Request Information Resources Biology Program Learning Outcomes Program Requirements Admission Requirements: High School diploma (minimum 75% average) or GED Diploma with a minimum score of 145. Minimum Degree Requirements: The BPS in Biology program requires a total of 121 academic credits for completion. The 121 credits of the BPS consist of the following: Forty-eight (48) credits of Major coursework Thirty-four (34) credits of required Liberal Arts & Sciences for the major A total of an additional thirty-nine (39) credit hours of Electives Candidates may transfer a total of up to ninety (90) credits Minimum grades of “C” or better required in the following courses:  BIO105 OR BIO130, BIO180/BIO180L, BIO223/BIO223L, BIO253, BIO300, BIO343, BIO399, BIO499, CH111/CH111L, CH253, GS320, MAT110, MA120, PSY101, PSY 301, SOC301 and a Quality Point Average of 2.0. Graduation Requirements: Mercy Action Project Courses Semester 1 14/16 BIO 180 General Biology I A study of the general principles of biological science. Topics include the scientific method, structure of molecules, the origin of life, biology of the cell, energetics, reproduction and heredity, molecular genetics and evolution. Three lecture hours. BIO 180L General Biology I Laboratory Laboratory experience coincides with lecture topics. Two laboratory hours. EN 101 English Composition The course seeks to aid the communication process by developing the ability to write clear, concise, expository prose, with emphasis on pre-writing and revision. It assists the student in finding a voice and an audience. A research paper is required, thus techniques of writing a formal research paper are reviewed. GS 100 College Seminar* The College Seminar is a course designed to provide students strategies for successful learning in college and beyond. Topics in the course include: learning styles, learning and study strategies, cognitive strategies, time management, goal-setting, note-taking, test-taking strategies, overcoming test anxiety, cultural diversity, and other issues that focus on enabling students to become better achievers. The course is one credit with a one hour laboratory. Students are requires to take this course in their first semester at Trocaire College. (Fall, Spring and Summer Semester) *Students must receive a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher to pass this course. OR GS 102 College Success* The College Success is a course designed to provide students strategies for successful learning in college and beyond. It is part of the Transitional Studies curriculum. Central to the course is students’ intensive work in learning strategies and the use of the diagnostic tool, Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI). Topics in the course include: learning styles, learning and study strategies, cognitive strategies, time management, goal-setting, note-taking, test-taking strategies, overcoming test anxiety, cultural diversity, and other issues that focus on enabling students to become better achievers. This course is three credits and is open only to new Trocaire students who participate in Transitional Studies. They are required to take this course their first semester at Trocaire College. (Fall and Spring Semesters) *Placement is based on participation in Transitional Studies *Students must receive a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher to pass this course. MA 110 College Algebra A pre-calculus level algebra course. Topics include solving system of equations that contain either two or three variables, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing monomials and polynomials; factoring polynomials, simplifying rational expressions and solving linear equations and inequity expressions that contain absolute values. Prerequisite: High school Regents mathematics or MA099 PSY 101 General Psychology An introduction to the basic concepts, research methods and applications of psychology. The major theoretical perspectives are presented through such areas as sensation, perception, intelligence, cognition, personality, and abnormal behavior. The course requires a research paper. (Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters) Semester 2 16 BIO 119 Medical Terminology This course is a study of the language of medicine as it relates to all body systems. Emphasis is placed on the understanding of word roots, prefixes, suffixes and abbreviations. Terminology related to anatomy, physiology, laboratory, clinical procedures and pharmacology will be covered. Pronunciation and spelling will be emphasized. BIOEL Biology Elective CH 111 General Chemistry I A detailed introduction to the basic principles and theories of chemistry. Topics include: physical measurement, matter, atomic theory, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, gas laws, thermochemistry, quantum theory, periodicity, chemical bonding, molecular geometry and chemical solutions. Three lecture hours. CH 111L General Chemistry I Laboratory This lab designs a course of action based on what the student knows about the principles and theories in order to solve problems by the test results of techniques employed relating to laboratory procedures. Students will interpret results of laboratory experiences and relate their procedures and findings to principles covered in the course. Topics relating to classroom lecture will be presented. Two laboratory hours. FREL Free Elective SOC 101 Principles of Sociology A basic survey of the history and fundamental principles of Sociology. Examines several of the important contributors to the discipline, its operative concepts, and its terminology. Also, studies human groups and interactions, social institutions, and the role of the group in human socialization and development. (Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters) Semester 3 15 BIO 253 Cellular and Molecular Biology This course focuses on the structure, molecular biology, and physiology of eukaryotic cells. Students will continuously explore the relationship between structure and function throughout the course. Current literature and the scientific evidence supporting the concepts will be explored. BIOEL Biology Elective CH 253 Biochemistry A course dedicated to the fundamentals of biochemistry with emphasis on physiologic and pathophysiologic biochemical concepts.  This course explores the synthesis, function, and catabolism of the four biological macromolecules. Crucial functions of each of these organic biomolecules will be discussed along with specific pathological conditions that result from abnormal biochemistry. FREL Free Elective MA 120 Statistics I An introduction to Statistics with modern applications to Sociology, Business, Economics, Ecology, Health Science and Psychology. Topics include: descriptive statistics, central tendency, percentile rank, Z-Scores, probability, probability distribution, correlation and regression analysis. (Fall and Spring Semesters) Semester 4 16 BIO 223 Microbiology The study of scientific principles of Microbiology emphasizing the isolation and identification of pathogenic organisms to man in areas of bacteriology, mycology, virology and parasitology. The culture, morphology, general physiology, immunology and applied aspects of the representative micro-organisms will be studied. Three lecture hours. (Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters) BIO 223L Microbiology Laboratory Laboratory experience coincides with lecture topics. Two laboratory hours. BIO 300 Epidemiology An introduction to epidemiology, this course covers the principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation including describing the patterns of illness in populations and research designs for investigating the etiology of disease. The course introduces quantitative measures to determine risk, association and procedures for standardization of rates. Cross listed with SOC300. Credit will not be granted for both BIO300 and SOC300. BIOEL Biology Elective DA 101 Introduction to Data Science FREL Free Elective Semester 5 15 BIO 343 Biotechnology Methods and Techniques A research-based course in the theory and laboratory techniques of molecular biotechnology with an emphasis on scientific written and oral communication. Applied molecular techniques This course is an introduction to common practices and methodologies of Biotechnology. Students receive hands-on experience using and maintaining laboratory instruments. Laboratory procedures include: solution preparation, aseptic technique, protein separations and assays, DNA electrophoresis, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Lectures support the laboratory activities. BIOEL Biology Elective FREL Free Elective FREL Free Elective PSY 301 Health Psychology Health psychology examines how biological, psychological, and social factors interact with and affect the efforts people make in promoting good health and preventing illness.  This course explores how  effectively people cope with and reduce pain and the recovery rehabilitation, and psychological adjustment of patients with serious health problems.  The course also focuses on the role of stress in illness and certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking and weight control, and specific chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.  Students will be provided with training to evaluate the scientific quality of research in the field of health psychology. Semester 6 15 BIOEL Biology Elective FREL Free Elective GS 320 Research Methods and Designs This course provides students with an introduction to research methodologies from an interdisciplinary approach. Students will learn how to develop productive research questions while introducing them to the practical and ethical issues involved in a variety of research methodologies. The course also introduces students to useful strategies for searching for and evaluating relevant primary and secondary source materials in the library and online. Students develop a well-informed, rigorous, and realistic interdisciplinary research plan grounded in knowledge from their individual disciples. PH 206 Ethics in Data Science SOC 301 Sociology Of Health And Medicine This course is an introduction to the field of medical sociology. Its main thrust is on the sociological analysis of health or medical organizations and institutions. Another focus will include an examination of the social disparities in healthcare with respect to epidemiology and social status or age, sex, race, ethnicity, gender, and social class. The role of health professions in the United States will also be explored. Semester 7 15 BIO 399 Independent Research This course provides students with faculty-supervised, independent research experience addressing select topics in the biological sciences. FREL Free Elective FREL Free Elective FREL Free Elective FREL Free Elective Semester 8 15 BIO 499 Biology Capstone Seminar Senior capstone course. This seminar will include reading, discussion, and analysis of primary literature in diverse areas of biology. The course will allow students from the various tracks within biology to share perspectives and apply their knowledge to the analysis and solution of real-world biological problems. Guest seminars will be given by invited speakers who are prominent local, regional, or national professionals related to the biological sciences. Course topics will vary. FREL Free Elective FREL Free Elective FREL Free Elective FREL Free Elective