Biology Major Four-Year Course Plans

Select a major track below to view a suggested four-year course plan. There is also a simple guide to requirements for each major track here.

If you are a transfer student, click on Transfer Students for additional information and advice.

If you have been following the pre-health track for non-Biology majors (taking Principles of Biology as a sophomore) and wish to join the Biology major, click on Joining the Biology Major After Sophomore PoB for advice.

For information on studying at an NYU global site while meeting major requirements, click on Study Away.

For any questions, please consult your academic adviser or the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Biology.




  • This course plan assumes a student enters knowing they want to pursue the Ecology track. It is also possible to follow the Standard track for the first three or four semesters then pursue the Ecology track. The key differences between the tracks to note are:
    • Fundamentals of Ecology (BIOL-UA 63) is required for the Ecology track, whereas Molecular and Cell Biology II (BIOL-UA 22 or 9022) is required for the Standard track (each of these courses counts as an upper-level elective for the opposite track)
    • Calculus II (MATH-UA 122) or Linear Algebra (MATH-UA 140) is required for the Ecology track, whereas General Physics II (PHYS-UA 12) is required for the Standard track
    • the lists of upper-level electives that satisfy the quantitative skills, reasoning skills, lab skills, or advanced biology requirements for each track overlap somewhat but are not identical.
  • Ecology-track students interested in study away at NYU Tel Aviv should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies for advice.

Freshman Fall

  1. Principles of Biology I (BIOL-UA 11)
  2. General Chemistry I (CHEM-UA 125)
  3. Calculus I (MATH-UA 121) *
  4. Freshman Seminar
  5. CORE course **
  • * if no AP credit
  • ** if AP Math credit

Freshman Spring

  1. Principles of Biology II (BIOL-UA 12)
  2. General Chemistry II (CHEM-UA 126)
  3. Calculus-II or Linear Algebra (MATH-UA 122 or 140)
  4. CORE SSS: Intr Psy/Soc

Sophomore Fall

  1. Fundamentals of Ecology (BIOL-UA 63)
  2. Organic Chemistry I (CHEM-UA 225)
  3. CORE (Writing in the Sciences)
  4. CORE Foreign Language I

Sophomore Spring

  1. Molecular and Cell Biology I (BIOL-UA 21)
  2. Organic Chemistry II (CHEM-UA 226)
  3. CORE C/C
  4. CORE Foreign Language II

Junior Fall

  1. Biostatistics (BIOL-UA 42)
  2. Ecological Field Methods (BIOL-UA 16), or At the Bench Course (Biology Elective #1)
  3. CORE T/I
  4. CORE Foreign Language III

Junior Spring

  1. Biology Elective #2
  2. Biology Elective #3
  3. CORE EC/Writing
  4. CORE Foreign Language IV

Senior Fall

  1. Biology Elective #4
  2. General Physics I (PHYS-UA 11)
  3. Elective
  4. Elective

Senior Spring

  1. Biology Elective #5
  2. Elective
  3. Elective
  4. Elective