Biology Bachelor’s Degree

Why Choose Russell Sage’s Biology Bachelor’s Program

Biology students at Russell Sage College have access to the following:

Our Biology majors are accepted to competitive medical schools and may receive assured acceptance or early admittance to:

Albany Medical College’s Physician Assistant program
Sage’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program
Sage’s Master of Occupational Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy programs (including accelerated programs)
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Science’s Clinical Lab Sciences master’s program and Cytotechnology master’s program

Pre-health tracks: Pre-Med, Pre-Physical Therapy (Pre-PT), Pre-Occupational Therapy (Pre-OT), and Pre-Veterinary

Minor: environmental science

Other concentrations: clinical lab sciences, cytotechnology, forensic biology, illustration, law, management, science writing

Sponsored by the New York State Department of Education, the Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program at Russell Sage offers paid research experience, MCAT prep, and extra academic support for underrepresented and low-income students in Biology and other science-related programs.

BEST Colleges U.S. News & World Report - Top College for Social Mobility 2026

Top 25

For seven consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Russell Sage among the top 25 national universities for social mobility — proof that our students see real returns. Learn more about financial aid at Sage.

Best Value

With first-year merit scholarships of $21,000 to $26,000 and one of the lowest private college tuition rates in New York State, Russell Sage ranks #36 nationally for Best Value (U.S. News & World Report 2026).

“We give Biology majors a good foundational basis to pursue a lot of different careers and they build on that foundation …”

Ken Howard, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Professional Experiences and Community Connections

Sage’s Biology degree blends real-world experience, community connection, and campus life to help you build confidence and make a difference.

Immersive Research Projects

Research and internships in New York’s Capital Region and nationwide
National programs like the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Present at conferences, including the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, the Northeast Regional Honors Council Conference, and Russell Sage’s Undergraduate Research Day

View Program Catalog for Course Requirements

“The faculty at Sage would send out emails and reminders about different internships that you can apply for and I got one for a research experience for undergraduates in Montana, studying rangeland ecology and soil water isotopes … I applied and got to spend the most awesome two months of my life in Montana. After I got back, I knew that I wanted to keep being outdoors and studying the environment and how we humans impact it. My ultimate goal is to achieve a Ph.D. and start doing Arctic and boreal research.”

Wally Tonks
Valedictorian of the class of 2026

Community-Centered STEM Outreach and Service

Reinforce the role of science in improving human lives while living out Russell Sage’s “Be. Know. Do.” motto. Biology majors engage directly with local communities by volunteering at the Aphasia Center on campus, leading STEM activities for elementary school students, and supporting other campus and neighborhood science programs.

Learn in Modern, Hands-On Classrooms and Labs

Russell Sage’s Troy and Albany campuses are close to major healthcare organizations and public health agencies. Students pursue internships and experiential learning opportunities with organizations such as:

Updated core science labs
Health sciences simulation center
Interactive Anatomy & Physiology labs with Visible Body technology

Russell Sage’s undergraduate A&P labs use Visible Body software on giant touchscreens that flip from upright displays to flat tabletops, letting you study and dissect anatomical systems in ways textbooks can’t match. Best of all, students receive free software access to continue studying from home.

A woman stands confidently in front of a screen displaying "Mini-Symposium, July 18, 2025." She's dressed in a pink blouse and white pants.

“My anatomy and physiology and immunology classes gave me an introduction to the blood clotting process and proteins involved. My physics class gave me an introduction to topics like force and tension, and my lab experiences at Sage prepared me for tasks such as pipetting and notetaking.”

Elizabeth Hoyt ’25, on her preparation for the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates, a highly-selective summer program which supports cutting-edge laboratory experiences on campuses across the country.

Affordability, Admissions, and Transferring

Affording a Biology Degree

We understand that cost and value are top concerns when choosing a college. That’s why we work with every student as an individual in the admission process — whether they’re a transfer student or a student coming straight out of high school.

What to Know:

Russell Sage prioritizes college access and affordability. We have been included on U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges for Social Mobility list for seven consecutive years.
100% of incoming, full-time undergraduates at Russell Sage receive financial aid.
Transfer merit scholarships are generous compared to other colleges – starting at $20,000 to $22,000 a year.
In many cases, Russell Sage is more affordable than SUNY or other private schools.
We want to make every transfer students’ credits count, just one of the reasons we’ve been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll for seven straight years.

Don’t forget! You have to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid — or FAFSA — to receive a complete financial aid package from any college.

Apply to Russell Sage’s Biology Program

Download our pre-health career tip sheets for high school students interested in Pre-med, Pre-Physical Therapy, or Pre-Occupational Therapy programs.

Full application details and next steps are available through the Admissions Office.

Start Your Application

Transfer to Russell Sage’s Biology Program

Russell Sage welcomes transfer students and provides a supportive and straightforward transfer process. Biology students may also transfer through established articulation agreements with select colleges.

Explore Transfer Experience

What Can I Do with a Biology Degree?

Check Out Our Student and Alumni Success Stories

Graduates of Russell Sage College’s Biology program become doctors, physician assistants, physical therapists, educators and they work in research. Biology majors may also work in government, business, public health or even science journalism.

“When I came to Russell Sage College, I did not know what I wanted to do for a career. I …

Alumni

Biology Bachelor’s Degree Pre-Med Studies 2019

Kyle Peterson , PA-C

“Russell Sage College has a strong name in the Capital Region, especially in the medical community,” said Physician Assistant Kyle …

Alumni

Biology Bachelor’s Degree Pre-Med Studies 2023

Julia Gerringer

Julia Gerringer earned her bachelor’s in Biology from Russell Sage College in May 2023 and started Touro College of Dental …

Student

2024

Mena Abdelmeged

“I like Sage for the small community,” said Russell Sage College Biology major and pre-med student Mena Abdelmeged. “I’m involved …

Explore Careers with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology

Help people recover mobility and function after injury or illness.

Median pay is $101,020 per year, employment opportunities expected to grow by 14% through 2033 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Why Russell Sage: Start as an undergrad and move straight into a physical therapy doctorate program if you meet GPA and prerequisites.

Help patients stay healthy or heal from injury or illness.

Growth: Faster than average growth for healthcare careers overall through 2033, with Physician assistant roles expected to grow 28% through 2033 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Why Russell Sage: Dedicated pre-med advising and special pathways with Albany Medical College’s PA program.

Careers in cancer biology, microbial ecology, environmental science, and more.

Key stats: Opportunities in academia, government, and industry

Why Russell Sage: Hands-on lab work, independent projects, faculty mentorship

Three people smiling at a conference with poster presentations in the background — Alex Kagan, Biology major Daniel Kagan, and Professor of Spanish and Associate Director of RSC’s Honors Program Kate Kagan

“My volunteer work at the Aphasia Center at Russell Sage, helping patients relearn communication after stroke or brain injury, deepened my passion for neurological care.”

Daniel Kagan ’26
Medical student, who interned in a Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics lab as an undergraduate at Russell Sage.

Frequently Asked Questions — Biology Bachelor’s Degree

Yes, Russell Sage’s biology bachelor’s program accepts transfer students. Also good to know: Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, has named Russell Sage to its Transfer Honor Roll for four-year colleges that provide an exceptionally smooth transfer experience, for six years in a row!

As a Biology major, you’ll complete a core of biology and science support courses — from microbiology and genetics to anatomy and physiology — along with an internship or research experience and a concentration of your choosing.

Pre-med isn’t a major — it’s a mix of advising, experiences, and coursework for students planning to apply to medical school or similarly competitive graduate programs. You’ll still choose a major, like Biology, that covers the prerequisites for your desired program and prepares you for entrance exams.

Biology is an excellent major to prepare for healthcare careers because it provides the required science foundation, lab experience, and research opportunities useful for medicine, PA school, or other healthcare careers.

Absolutely. Russell Sage offers a Childhood Education degree with a Life Science concentration, which combines foundational biology knowledge with teaching skills for elementary classrooms. This is a great option for students who love science and want to inspire the next generation.

Biology students can engage in faculty-mentored research across diverse fields, from cancer biology and microbial ecology to environmental science and Arctic biogeochemistry. Hands-on research helps you develop lab skills, critical thinking, and experience for graduate school or science careers.

Russell Sage students are close to Albany Med, research institutions, and public health organizations. This gives you access to internships, volunteer opportunities, and networking that strengthen your experience in biology, healthcare, and life sciences education.

Careers in healthcare, research, and education are growing faster than average. Physician assistant and veterinary roles are expected to grow particularly quickly, while science educators, lab technicians, and researchers also have strong demand.

Related Resources — Bachelor of Biology

Explore Related Posts

Have questions about a Biology degree?

Kristi LaMonica

Chair and Professor of Biology

lamonk@sage.edu

Andrea Dievendorf

Assistant Professor of Biology and Health Sciences

dievea@sage.edu

John Tine

Assistant Professor of Biology and Health Sciences

tinej3@sage.edu

Susan M Jenks, Ph.D.

Professor of Biopsychology

jenkss@sage.edu

Mary S. Rea

Professor of Biology

ream@sage.edu

Kenneth J. Howard, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

howark2@sage.edu

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