Biology (BS)

Program Description

Biology is concerned with the workings of life in all its varied forms. Over the past few decades, the life sciences have been revolutionized by the development of molecular, cellular, genomic, and bioinformatics techniques that are now being utilized to study fundamental processes in organisms as well as applying this information to improve human health, enhance rational management of our environment, develop forensic science, and augment the production of renewable energy with the concomitant sequestering of pollutants, as well as approach ethical and legal issues that impinge on biological discoveries and their applications. The Biology curriculum aims to produce scientists with inquisitive minds who are self-reliant and who seek high quality of information about how the natural world works.

Building on the foundational science courses in chemistry, physics, biology, students in the Biology major learn to use the contemporary tools and approaches that are available to solve problems in areas of the current life sciences. In developing the major, we are first focusing on covering the essential “pillars of biological concepts”: molecular and cellular biology, genetics, and evolution. We also ensure that students are trained in modern methods of quantitative and computational analysis. The major is structured so that students can take a diversity of upper-level courses upon completion of the core courses. These intermediate and advanced courses provide a broad and intensive background in modern biology for those interested in careers in research, health-related fields, biotechnology, and education, among others. The biology major allows students to pursue independent research that could lead to an undergraduate thesis.

The Biology program at NYU Shanghai has strong interactive ties with the Department of Biology and the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology at NYU in New York, and the Biology program at NYU Abu Dhabi, as well as with other laboratories across NYU’s global network.

Program Requirements

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Students who did not attend a Chinese-medium high school fulfill the Core language requirement by demonstrating proficiency of the Chinese language through the Intermediate level.  Chinese speakers who did not attend an English-medium high school fulfill the Core language requirement through completion of EAP-SHU 100 English for Academic Purposes I and EAP-SHU 101 English for Academic Purposes II .  Additional information can be found on the NYU Shanghai Core Curriculum page.

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Note that one 4-credit Independent Study is allowed to count towards the Biology major elective

Sample Plan of Study

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Organic Chemistry II for pre-med students.

Policies 

Double Major Guidelines

 Biology and Data Science Double Major GuidelinesStudents who are interested in pursuing a Data Science major along with a Biology major, a Business major, an Economics major, a Mathematics major, a Neural Science major or a Social Science major have the option to double-count more than two courses between the majors. To complete both majors successfully, students would need to complete the course requirements for both majors. However, the following courses are allowed to be double-counted toward both majors:

Biology and Data Science (Concentration in Genomics)

• MATH-SHU 140 Linear Algebra
• MATH-SHU 235 Probability and Statistics 
• BIOL-SHU 21 Foundations of Biology I 
• BIOL-SHU 22 Foundations of Biology II 
• BIOL-SHU 123 Foundations of Biology Lab 
• BIOL-SHU 261 Genomics and Bioinformatics 

Note: Students who take Linear Algebra and Probability and Statistics are not allowed to take the lower level Math Tools for Life Science course. If you have not decided yet to pursue a double major and take Math Tools for Life Science first, you are required to take Linear Algebra and Probability and Statistics.

Biology and Neural Science Double Major

Students can not double major in Biology and Neural Science.

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

NYU Shanghai Policies

Additional academic policies can be found on the NYU Shanghai Academic Policies page.