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TC3 Transfer Planning for Conservation Biology

Tompkins Cortland Community College Transfer Planning for Conservation Biology, (CON), B.S.

SUNY Cortland recommends that students complete the following courses prior to transfer.  The transfer credit limit from a 2-year college is 64 credits.  Students who complete their General Education requirements prior to transfer will have their General Education requirements met at SUNY Cortland.

SUNY General Education

Cortland Degree Requirements

Complete at TC3

Communication 1 (GEC1):  CPN 100 Writing Studies I

ENGL 100 (required GE)

Communication 2 (GEC2):  CPN 101 Writing Studies II

ENGL 101 (required GE)

Communication – Presentation (GECP):

_______ (required GE)

Diversity: Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice (GEDI):

_______ (required GE)

Mathematics (GEMA):  MAT 115 Precalculus I (4 cr.)

MATH 135 (required GE) (prerequisite for MAT 201)

Natural Sciences (GENS):

BIO 211 Fundamentals of Cell & Molecular Biology (4 cr.) AND BIO 213 Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution (4 cr.) 

BIOL 104 AND BIOL 105 (GE & major required)

Humanities (GEHU):  REC 310 Wilderness and American Culture

RECR 270 (major required)

Social Sciences (GESS):
EST 100 Introduction to Environmental Studies


ENVS 102 (major required)

The Arts (GEAR):

_______________________

US History & Civic Engagement (GEUS):

_______________________

World History & Global Awareness (GEWH):

_______________________

World Languages (GEWL):  (Sign language is acceptable)

______ 101 (required for B.S.)

Additional Major Requirements (23 credits)

Cortland Major Requirements

Complete at TC3

BIO 314 Cellular Biology (4 cr.)

BIOL 220 (offered occasionally) AND BIOL 221

CHE 227 and 277 General Chemistry I with lab (4 cr.) AND CHE 228 and 278 General Chemistry II with lab (4 cr.)

CHEM 107 AND CHEM 108

CHE 300 Organic Chemistry I and CHE 303 Lab (4 cr.)

CHEM 205

MAT 135 Calculus I (4 cr.)

MATH 201 (prerequisite MAT 135)

MAT 201 Statistics

 MATH 200

 *For more information about transfer equivalencies, please visit SUNY Transfer Path.

School of Arts and Sciences

The program requirements pertain to the Undergraduate Catalog and are intended as a guide for academic planning.  Students currently on SUNY campuses should consult their academic advisor for additional choices in general education categories when any course is recommended.

  • To view all required courses for the program and Cortland’s General Education courses, see the most current undergraduate Catalog.
  • Use the transfer equivalency tables to choose equivalents at your transfer college.
  • If you plan to transfer before you complete your associate’s degree, you can still earn your degree via Reverse Transfer.

About Conservation Biology

You’ll find a strong emphasis on the biology of organisms and ecosystems along with the application of modern scientific approaches to environmental problems and their connections to human activities when you study conservation biology at SUNY Cortland. It also was one of the first programs of the kind offered at the undergraduate level. 

Career Potential

  • Biologist with state and federal agencies
  • Conservation biologist with non-profit organization
  • Ecologist
  • Environmental analyst
  • Naturalist at national and state parks
  • Wildlife ecologist

Special Features

  • Field facilities as part of the W.H. Parks Family Center for Environmental and Outdoor Education include:
    • Hoxie Gorge Nature Preserve located seven miles from the College, Antlers and Camp Huntington in the Adirondacks, and Brauer Field Station near Albany
  • Faculty dedicated to providing quality education and research opportunities include:
  • find yourself presenting your scientific findings at local and regional professional meetings. 
  • Study and work in our state-of-the-art classroom and research facility.   

Applying to Cortland

  • SUNY Cortland accepts the Common Application and the SUNY Online application. Choose just one way to apply; both require a $50 non-refundable application fee.
  • If you apply to Cortland using the SUNY application, SUNY will waive the $50 application fee for transfer students graduating with an associate degree from a SUNY or CUNY college, who apply directly to Cortland for baccalaureate programs.
  • Fall applicants should apply by June 1. Spring applications should apply by November 1.
  • After applying, students must send transcripts from all colleges attended and a high school transcript.