Overview
The Undergraduate Program in Biology and Medicine (UPBM) combines the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine and Dentistry to offer undergraduate students courses, lectures, laboratory work, specialty seminars, and research experiences.
UPBM was founded in the early 1980s and serves as a gateway for undergraduates studying biology to gain research opportunities at the Medical Center. Since then, the program has been accredited and is now one of the most popular undergraduate programs on campus.
The program provides opportunities to do independent research for credit during the academic year and de Kiewiet Summer Research Fellowships, which support summer research by outstanding University of Rochester undergraduate students.
Prospective Students
Want to learn more about the U of R's undergraduate program in biology? Request an informational meeting or attend a class.
Other Resources
How to Declare a Major
Students intending to major in the biological sciences need to schedule a Zoom meeting with the Program Manager/Curriculum Advisor during the spring semester of their sophomore year to create a tentative schedule before meeting with the track advisor for final approval. Once the student has met with the major advisor, they will need to file a major declaration form with the College to complete the process. Once the form is submitted, it usually takes the college ten business days to add the declaration to student records in Workday.
Students declaring the following tracks should meet with the undergraduate coordinator.
- Ba Biology (BIO)
- Bs Biochemistry (BBC)
- Bs Biological Sciences: General Track (BSG)
- Bs Cell and Developmental Biology (BCD)
- Bs Computational Biology (BCB)
- Bs Microbiology (BMB)
- Bs Molecular Biology (BMG)
Students declaring the following track will need to meet with Melinda Adelman. Visit the BNS / BCS Website for instructions on setting up meetings.
Teaching Assistant (TA) Positions
Applications for the Fall 2022 semester are now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied!
Related: How do I get credit for teaching?
Undergraduate Jobs in the Biology Department
- Job Openings - Students who are interested in working at the Biology Department may view and apply for job openings via JobLink located on the Student Employment Office website:
- Current Student Employees - Information regarding Reporting Hours, Weekly Hour Limitations, Paycheck Distribution, Employment Verification, Training..., is available for download here
News, Events, Featured Programs
- Bioscience Graduation Ceremonies dates, times, and locations are published on the UR Commencement Weekend May 12—14, 2023 / CEAS Graduation Ceremonies Schedule website. There are four departmental ceremonies:
- Biology - includes students graduating with degrees in:
- BA Biology (BIO)
- BS Cell & Developmental Biology (BCD)
- BS Computational Biology (BCB)
- BS Evolution & Ecology (BEB)
- BS Molecular Genetics (BMG)
- Biochemistry (BBC)
- Microbiology (BMB)
- Neuroscience (BNS)
- Biology - includes students graduating with degrees in:
- Independent Research BIOL/NSCI/CHEM/BCH* 395/395W
- Request for Registration
- Submit within first two weeks of semester
- deKiewiet Fellowship Summer Research Opportunity
- Intent to Apply Due March 1st, 2023
- Formal Proposal, Summaries, References, and Statement of Authorship Due March 13th, 2023
- Honors in Research (Attention Seniors)
- Application for Candidacy Due March 1st
- Defend by May 6th, 2022
- AURA Access to Undergraduate Research Opportunities - New from the Office of UG Research
- Virtual Learning Support Resources: Center for Excellence Teaching & Learning
- UR Solomon Island Field Course
- Biology Department Ceremony 2022 Recording
- Biology Department Ceremony 2022 Senior Sideshow
- Biology Department Ceremony 2022 Program (.pdf file)
Past UPBM e-Newsletters