Biology
Biology at Fredonia
Fredonia's Department of Biology offers the most up-to-date facilities, cutting edge instrumentation and technology of any undergraduate biology department in New York State. Fredonia's award-winning faculty blend outstanding instruction with research and professional learning opportunities for every student enrolled in these programs. All of this translates into an outstanding experience for students. Fredonia now has an accelerated program in Biology that enables students to earn B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biology in five years, instead of the conventional six years.
The Fredonia Difference
The Department of Biology offers the smaller class sizes and individualized advising of a small college, and the diverse programs, course offerings and research opportunities of a larger university. The department is housed in Fredonia's $60 million Science Center, which opened in 2014. The Department of Biology has over $4 million worth of cutting edge tools and instrumentation; all of which are used by students in teaching and research labs.
Career Opportunities
- Health care professions (medicine, dental etc)
- Researcher
- Ecology and environmental management and conservation
- Forensic science
- Biotechnology
- Science museums/zoos/aquariums/parks/nature centers
It's Different Here
Student Story
Why Biology at Fredonia?
Health professions
Students interested in health professions such as Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry, or Pharmacy often select the Biology or Molecular Genetics programs as a major.
Research opportunities
Every Biology student engages in research experiences. Our students go to Yellowstone National Park to study ecosystems, and the Bahamas to study marine biology.
Experts in their field
Faculty come from world-renowned universities; and they teach the same courses at Fredonia taught at those institutions.
Sample Courses
BIOL 421 Biological Conservation
An examination of species diversity with an emphasis on human activities which affect these patterns.
BIOL 424 Aquatic Biology
Classification and biology of major groups of organisms that inhabit freshwater environments, characteristics of aquatic habitats, pollution of aquatic environments, and the role of physical and chemical factors in aquatic ecosystems.
BIOL 480 Molecular Biology of Disease
The course will cover topics relating to the genetic and biochemical etiology of human disease.
Program Additional Links
What does a 4-year degree look like?
What are all the required and elective courses offered to obtain this degree?
Biology Faculty
Dr. William Brown
(716) 673-3620
Dr. Scott Ferguson, Ph.D.
(716) 673-4883
Dr. Jonathan Kniss
(716) 673-3282
Dr. Ted Lee
(716) 673-3816
Biology at Fredonia
Biology in the news
SUNY Fredonia science students’ research yields new findings about Chautauqua Lake
Researchers are gaining a better understanding of factors that can influence the growth of harmful algae blooms in Chautauqua Lake, thanks to research compiled last summer by two undergraduate science students at SUNY Fredonia.
SUNY Fredonia researcher to speak at Chautauqua Lake Water Quality Conference
Dr. Courtney Wigdahl-Perry, a leading scientist who studies harmful algae blooms in Chautauqua Lake and associate professor in the Department of Biology, will be among experts who will address water quality issues at the 2022 Chautauqua Lake Water Quality Conference on June 18.
Physical therapy top choice among Exercise Science grads at SUNY Fredonia
Six newly minted or recent graduates who earned B.S. degrees in Exercise Science at SUNY Fredonia will continue their education in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs – the most popular choice among over a dozen Fredonians accepted at health professions schools across the country.