The College of New Jersey

Programme overview

The Biology program provides a curriculum that emphasizes laboratory experience and undergraduate research from the start. Students may pursue a BA for broader curricular flexibility or a BS that includes the scientific breadth needed for research and medical careers. Teacher-preparation routes and several accelerated/dual-degree pathways with professional schools are also available.

What you'll study

Students complete foundation science courses and progress to upper-level, in-depth topics tailored to their interests. The program integrates course-based laboratory work with opportunities for independent study and mentored research across cellular, molecular and ecological scales.

• Degree options: BA in Biology (flexible course selection), BS in Biology (scientific breadth for research/medicine).
• Teacher preparation: Biology Secondary Education (BA or BS) for NJ certification grades 6–12; Inclusive Education (BS) and Biology dual major for P–3 or K–6 certification and endorsements.
• Minors: Biology and Computational & Mathematical Biology minors available.
• Accelerated/dual-degree pathways: Seven-year BS/MD with New Jersey Medical School (3+4); BS/OD with SUNY College of Optometry (3+4); BS/PharmD with Jefferson College of Pharmacy (8-year 4+4); BA/DPT or BS/DPT with Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences (7-year 4+3).
• Facilities and instrumentation: a dedicated 75,000 sq ft Biology Building housing molecular biology labs, confocal and electron microscopes, a greenhouse, tissue culture and animal/aquatic rooms, walk-in environmental chambers, spectrophotometers, plate reader, DNA sequencer, real-time PCR, thermocyclers, NanoDrop and electroporator, and microscopy center with TEM, SEM and confocal systems.

Entry requirements

The source material does not list specific admission criteria; program pages describe first-year applicant options for several direct-admit dual-degree tracks. Prospective students should consult TCNJ admissions for standard undergraduate entry requirements and any additional application steps for accelerated pathways.

Career prospects

Graduates move into medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, allied-health roles (physician assistant, physical/occupational therapy), graduate research, industry positions in biotechnology, bioinformatics, pharmaceuticals, conservation and environmental careers, forensics, genetic counseling, genomics, science communication, law, public health and teaching. The department notes recent graduate and medical school placements including Cornell, Penn State, Princeton, Rutgers, UCLA and several U.S. medical schools.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program highlights mentored undergraduate research and faculty collaboration; students often engage in paid or credit-bearing research and internships that can support academic progress. Applicants should review college-wide scholarships, departmental awards and external funding sources for undergraduate researchers.