Bachelors of Arts in Biology and Society

The Biology & Society major provides the skills and perspectives necessary to confront problems with biological, social, and ethical dimensions. The Biology & Society major is suited for students who wish to combine training in biology with perspectives from the social sciences and humanities aspects of modern biology. Because the Biology & Society major is multidisciplinary, students must attain a basic understanding of each of the several disciplines it comprises, by including courses in the fields of biology, humanities, social sciences, and mathematics. In addition, majors take core courses in Biology & Society, and a set of electives, and a special senior seminar that comprises their theme. Students are expected to select their theme courses to meet their own goals and interests in consultation with a faculty advisor. Some areas of interest might include genetic engineering, the right to medical care, health and society, biology and public policy, food and population, and environment and society. Course work in the College of Arts and Sciences may be selected from theme concentrations in Biology & Public Policy; Health and Society; Biology, Behavior and Society, to name a few. Students may also develop their own individually tailored theme, in consultation with a faculty advisor. The Biology & Society major, which involves faculty from throughout the university, is offered by the Department of Science & Technology Studies. Students in the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are eligible for the major. The major is coordinated for students in both colleges through the Biology & Society Office. Students who are admitted to Biology & Society as their major field of study graduate from Cornell with well-developed writing and analytical skills and a knowledge base that can lead to employment in a variety of fields. Many graduates have accepted positions as health counselors, writers, policy analysts and researchers for government organizations, medical institutions, consumer or environmental groups, or scientific research institutes. Students have found that Biology & Society is also excellent preparation for professional training in medicine, law, and health services administration and for graduate programs in such fields as genetic counseling, nutrition, clinical psychology, public health, environmental studies, anthropology, sociology, and other related fields.