Biology

From our campus location on Sarasota Bay to our subtropical climate to our outstanding biology facilities and faculty, you will find opportunities to work beside renowned professors who will immerse you in rigorous studies while giving you the opportunity to conduct advanced research as an undergraduate.

About the Biology Area of Concentration

A concentration in Biology begins with course work in a two-semester sequence (Foundations of Biology 1 and 2), which may be taken in any order. A well-rounded biologist will build on basic concepts with study in three core levels of organization: molecular/cellular biology, organismal biology, and ecology/evolution. Course offerings supplemented by tutorials allow students to accomplish this in seven contracts. Additional coursework in the other Natural Science disciplines is also required.

Two additional Biology elective courses will ensure students are well-rounded biologists and receive training in multiple areas to assist their thesis research and future goals. In the current curriculum, molecular and cellular courses include Genetics, Developmental Biology, Microbiology, Neurobiology, and Cellular Biology. Organismal biology is represented by course offerings, including Organismic Biology, Botany, Entomology, Fish Biology, Invertebrate Zoology, Plant Physiology, and the Biology of Sharks, Skates, and Rays. Ecology/evolution is represented by course offerings including Ecology, Forest Ecology, Biology of Urbanization, Evolution and Animal Behavior.

“I chose to attend New College because it will prepare me for the challenges of medical school and the practice of medicine and medical research itself.”
Saurav Kiri
Biology Student and Archimedes Scholar

Featured Course

BIOL 3115

Florida Natural History

Natural history is a domain of inquiry involving organisms in their natural environment. We will study the principles of natural history, including the general ecology, habitats, vegetation types, wildlife, historical geology, and conservation issues of Florida. We will use group and individual project-based learning to discover the natural environments of Florida. Field trips to Florida ecosystems will exemplify the principles of natural history.

Biology Curriculum

Recent Courses

Biology of Sharks, Skates and Rays
Biology of Urbanization
Biostatistics
Coral Reef Ecology
Epidemiology Matters: An Introduction
Florida Natural History
Fundamentals of Applied Genetics
Global Health and Humanity
Introduction to Entomology
Introduction to Microbiology
Introduction to Neuroscience

Introduction to Oceanography
Invertebrate Zoology
Marine Mammal Biology
Neurobiology
Organismic Biology
Sex, Gender, Mind and Brain
Social Epidemiology
Topics in Genomics
Tropical Disease Epidemiology

Career Outcomes

New College graduates from the Biology program have earned prestigious Fulbright awards, attended medical school and doctoral programs, and pursued careers in pharmaceutical research, biosciences, and software development. Fields that fit well with a Biology degree include:

Bioinformatics
Biotechnology
Dentistry
Medicine
Physiology
Science Policy
Zoology
Environmental Sciences
Veterinary Sciences

Pre-Health Program

In an effort to share valuable resources and create strong connections between students, the Pre-Health program is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare and medicine, and includes Pre-Med, Pre-Vet, Pre-Dental, and Pre-Pharmaceutical.

Pre-Health Professional Program