Biology

Career Potential

Among Hofstra graduates who majored in biology and urban ecology and who reported salary, the median annual self-reported salary was $51,000. Examples of where recent alumni are working include:

  • Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories
  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • Foot And Ankle Surgeons Of New York
  • Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • Northwell Health
  • NY Presbyterian Hospital
  • Plainview Oral Surgery
  • The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

About 53% of our biology and urban ecology alumni are pursuing graduate and professional degrees at institutions like:

  • Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  • Columbia University
  • Drexel University
  • New York Medical College
  • NYIT College Of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Stony Brook University
  • Tufts University
  • University of Connecticut
  • University of Massachusetts, Amherst
  • University of Pennsylvania

Biology

Among 2019-2020 Hofstra graduates who majored in biology, 80% of survey respondents reported that within one year of graduation that they were employed and/or attending or planning to attend graduate school. 

What can you do with a biology degree?

  • Professional medical schools - Medicine (MD/DO); Veterinarian medicine (DVM); Dentistry (DDS); Optometry, public health, others
  • Graduate school (MS/PhD)
  • Biotechnology
  • Research
  • Education
  • USDA, DEC, EPA, Forestry Service, Fish and Wildlife
  • Environmental management
  • Conservation
  • Policy
  • Law
  • Business
  • Technical writing
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Urban Ecology

Urban Ecology is a subfield of ecology that deals with the distribution, abundance, and interactions of plants and animals (including humans) within urban and suburban environments. More than half of the world's population lives in cities and suburbs, and they share these urban habitats with many other species. Thus, urban ecology is one of the fastest growing subfields in ecology, and most ecologists now work in human-influenced habitats.

Urban ecologists study vegetation, water flow, wildlife, and open spaces in cities to monitor the health of these resources and how they respond to pollution, development, and other pressures. Specific endeavors of urban ecologists include monitoring nutrient flow from lawns and industry into oceans; helping design buildings and large developments to make them more sustainable and appealing; running nature and interpretive programs that range from very small to citywide; studying the impacts of invasive species; and exploring the positive impacts that green spaces have on biodiversity and human health.

Examples of careers urban ecology majors may want to consider:

  • Air and Water Quality Manager
  • Biodiversity Educator
  • College Professor
  • Community Garden Coordinator
  • Community Health and Urban Designer
  • Coordinator of Volunteers
  • Development Assistant
  • Endangered Species Project Biologist
  • Education and Outreach Coordinator
  • Environmental Analyst
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Environmental Educator
  • Environmental Policy Planner
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Field Biologist
  • Fire Ecology Specialist Position
  • Fish and Wildlife Biologist
  • Government Employee (EPA, DEC)
  • Hazardous Waste Manager
  • Hydrology Technician
  • In-School Education Program Director
  • K-12 Teacher
  • Land and Water Conservationist
  • Museum Employee: Outreach, Exhibits
  • Parks and Green Space Planner/Designer/Manager
  • Researcher
  • Research Assistant or Associate
  • Staff Scientist
  • Urban Wildlife Manager
  • Urban Farming Specialist
  • Urban Forester
  • Urban Planner

Among 2019-2020 Hofstra graduates who majored in urban ecology, 81% of survey respondents reported that within one year of graduation they were employed and/or attending or planning to attend graduate school. 


Alumni outcomes data is based on the results of Hofstra’s annual Alumni Outcomes Survey and other reliable sources.  Of the 1,425 undergraduate students who graduated between August 2019 and May 2020, data was collected via surveys and other reliable sources resulting in knowledge about the outcomes for 69% of the 19-20 undergraduate alumni. Salary data is self-reported voluntarily by students and is based upon a 47% response rate for full-time employed undergraduate survey respondents.  

See alumni outcome reports in their entirety.