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Special Section for Students Strongly Considering Biological Engineering

Undergraduate students majoring in Biological Engineering must earn eight (8) credits of introductory biology credit during their first three semesters in order to progress through the Biological Engineering curriculum in four years.

Which Courses Satisfy the Biology Requirement?

There are several ways to satisfy this requirement:

a)    Take two of the following three introductory biology lectures (3 credits each )

  • BIOMG 1350, Principles of Cell and Developmental Biology
  • BIOG 1440, Introduction to Comparative Physiology
  • BIOEE 1610, Ecology and the Environment
  • Plus one semester of BIOG 1500, Investigative Laboratory (2 credits)

b)    A score of 5 on the Advanced Placement Biology Exam (8 credits)—Note that a score of 4 on this exam will yield 4 credits.  Students receiving 4 credits will need to take one of the lectures shown above (3 credits) plus the BIOG 1500 lab (2 credits) to complete the introductory biology requirement.

c)    A score of A or B on the GCE A-Level Exam (8 credits)

d)    A score of 7 on the IB Higher-Level Exam (8 credits)—Note that a score of 4 on this exam will yield 4 credits.  Students receiving 4 credits will need to take one of the lectures shown above (3 credits) plus the BIOG 1500 lab (2 credits) to complete the introductory biology requirement.

When Should I Take Biology?

Students wishing to major in Biological Engineering are strongly encouraged to complete (or earn credit for) at least one of the introductory biology lectures shown above during their first year.  The second semester of introductory biology and the BIOG 1500 lab may be completed as late as the first semester of the sophomore year.

It is important to note that ENGRD 2600 (Principles of Biological Engineering), a requirement for entry into the BE major taken during the fall of sophomore year, requires at least one semester of introductory biology lecture as a prerequisite; two semesters of introductory biology lecture and the BIOG 1500 lab are preferred as prerequisites, but the second introductory biology lecture and BIOG 1500 may be taken concurrently with ENGRD 2600, if need be.

If you are strongly considering Biological Engineering as a major (particularly if you have advanced placement credit for CHEM 2090) you may wish to consider enrolling in a biology lecture and/or lab during your first term.

I Currently Have CHEM on My Schedule But Would Prefer BIO

If you wish to drop CHEM 2090 completely, please contact Engineering Advising and speak to a member of our staff. 

The Biology Class I Want is Presently Full

If you wish to enroll in a biology class that is presently full, you are encouraged to try adding the class again during Orientation in August. If the class remains full, it’s a good idea to attend the first day of class, during which the professor will give instructions on how to add the class or get on a waitlist.

Is There a Placement Exam?

A Cornell Advanced Standing Exam for biology does not exist.

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