Welcome to the Department of Biology
Our highest goal is to provide you with a foundation for lifelong intellectual growth and appreciation. We strive to foster an environment where you can learn to examine the world through a scientific lens and apply that knowledge to both personal and societal contexts.
Choose from exciting pathways in science! We offer Associate in Science degrees in Biology and Biotechnology, Applied Science degrees in Medical Laboratory Technician and Horticulture, plus a hands-on certificate in Animal Care and Management.
Get to know our degrees and programs—watch the info session here!
Chairperson
Dr. Chris Robinson
chris.robinson@bcc.cuny.edu
718-289-5535
Administrative Assistants
Ms. Idelza Lora
idelza.lora@bcc.cuny.edu
Ms. Maryann Quinn
maryann.quinn@bcc.cuny.edu
718-289-5512
Find us in MEISTER HALL (ME) 415
Discover what Biologists study in this Map of Biology.
Class of 2025 Graduation Award Honorees
Mia Allen
Horticulture Commendation Award
Divya Puri
Medical Laboratory Technician Commendation Award
Nicola Poyotte
Israel Gottesman Memorial Scholarship for competence in Medical Laboratory Technician Program
George Sanchez (pic) & Cris Leottau Maturana
Animal Care and Management Commendation Award
Fatou Dione
Biotechnology Commendation Award
Christina Torres
Biology Commendation Award
Briana Gomez
Biology Faculty Memorial Award
Jiang Ling
Bernie Bates Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Microbiology
These awards have become constant reminders for me to immerse myself in academic studies to evolve into the scientist that I dreaded as a child. They also serve as proof and motivation showing me that science is not a strange subject but an interesting one. I am glad that I returned to study science after pursuing my bachelor of mathematics. Thank you for all the support I received during my studies at BCC. Courage Agbanyo, 2023 Biology Faculty Memorial Awardee
Student Spotlight
Milton Baquedano and Biology Professor Raffaella Diotti
As of spring 2025, a Biology major taking all necessary courses for Pre-Med, with a focus on Neuroscience, Milton Baquedano juggles classes while working as a real estate broker in the Bronx and in Westchester to assist with family finances and is starting his own non-profit organization. He is laser-focused on helping others who may be going through challenging times.
Milton has participated in several on-campus research projects and presented his work at various conferences and symposiums on and off campus. Last year, he was a key student presenter at the STEM Symposium held in Gould Memorial Library at Bronx Community College and will be back again this May when he presents his Biodiversity study that he has built out on a deeper level. He also presented his STEM work at the recent Middle States (MSCHE) conference in Philadelphia and has been a frequent participant at the Harvey Lectures at Rockefeller University, which led him to apply to and get selected for The Becoming a Scientist program. He also presented at the 57th Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologists Conference (MACUB) at Bronx Community College. Read more about Milton following this link.
What do Biologists study?
Watch the video version here.
Explore Your Major Info Session
Biology Degrees and Certificate
Animal Care & Management (Certificate Program)
Provides access to a career path in the veterinary care of domesticated animals. Students learn techniques for working in a veterinary clinic, including how to properly use and care for the instruments in a laboratory, particularly sterilization techniques, and how to analyze blood and urine samples. This curriculum also provides a foundation for those who would like to continue their education for an A.S. or B.S. as a veterinary technician or a D.V.M. as a veterinarian.
Horticulture (A.A.S.)
Is the art or practice of garden cultivation and management. Bronx Community College and The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) have established a joint program in Ornamental Horticulture. Students study liberal arts and sciences at the BCC campus for the first year. They spend the second year at the NYBG for both academic courses and field experience in horticulture.
Liberal Arts: Biology (A.S)
Students in the Liberal Arts A.S. Biology program transfer to four-year science programs, teacher education programs, pharmacy schools, engineering programs, or physician assistant or physical therapy programs. Enrichment programs are offered to encourage students to continue their education beyond the bachelor degree by attending graduate or other professional schools.
Medical Laboratory Technician (A.A.S)
Is accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and approved by New York State Office of Professions. This major is a career program in which the student earns the A.A.S. degree. In addition to taking general core courses, certain liberal arts and science requirements, and specialized courses in medical laboratory technology, the student has a requirement to train in a state of the art hospital laboratory. Upon completion, students qualify to sit for the MLT (ASCP)/NYS MLT license exam (this technician license is required for employment in NYS diagnostic laboratories).
Biotechnology (A.S)
Biotechnology can be broadly defined as the use of living organisms in the design of useful products as well as the exploration of the genetic and biomedical basis of how living organisms function. Some of the fields in which biotechnology plays an important role are: Forensic Science; medical research involving genetic diseases, cancer, screening and treatment and embryological development; design of novel drugs aimed at specific biological targets; crop design and genetically modified organisms; production of relevant biologicals such as insulin for treatment of disease; and basic research in areas like, genetics, biochemistry, evolution, etc.
Learn more about our degrees and certificate in the programs and courses page.
