Biology Major

Why Choose Biology at LAS

Biology is one of the most popular majors at Touro’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences (LAS), especially for students planning careers in health care and the sciences. From your very first class through the medical, dental, or grad school application process, everyone in the department is ready to help.

Our curriculum is designed for students pursuing medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical or occupational therapy, physician assistant programs, and more. We offer separate men’s and women’s programs, and you’ll take core courses in general biology and microbiology, while diving into unique electives like medical physiology and phytochemistry.

Thanks to small class sizes, you’ll be in a collaborative learning environment where you can build strong, lasting relationships with your professors. You’ll also work closely with our pre-professional advisory committee, which offers hands-on advising, mock interviews, and personalized letters of recommendation to help you take the next step in your career.

Meet the Biology Faculty

Our biology professors include MDs and PhDs who have worked in medical schools, research labs, hospitals, and health science programs across New York and beyond. But what truly sets our faculty apart is how accessible, supportive, and invested they are in their students. Whether you need help navigating organic chemistry or preparing for MCAT, DAT, GRE, CASPA, or other standardized exams, our professors’ doors are always open.

Meet a few of the faculty you might learn from:

• Dr. Robert S. Bressler is the longtime chair of the biology department and a faculty member at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and has taught for over 60 years. Dr. Bressler is known for his one-on-one mentorship, research connections, and oversight of The Science Journal.
• Dr. Alan Levine brings decades of teaching and advising experience to the biology program and co-leads the pre-professional advisory committee. He is known for his direct, encouraging approach and for guiding students through medical school prep with warmth, humor, and honesty.
• Dr. Jonathan Barasch is a Columbia University MD/PhD and renowned nephrologist who teaches Medical Physiology at LAS. Known for his step-by-step teaching style and deep clinical insight, he helps students connect biology to real-world medicine while preparing for careers in health science.
• Dr. Galina Oksman holds degrees from Israel’s Technion and Tel Aviv University and has taught biology, microbiology, and neuroscience at LAS. A former researcher at Rockefeller University and Memorial Sloan Kettering, she is known for her upbeat energy, clear teaching style, and commitment to student engagement.

Together, the biology faculty at LAS form a close-knit team committed to student outcomes. From day one, you’ll find professors who know your name, care about your goals, and are passionate about helping you cultivate a lifelong love of the sciences.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. John Loike

Dr. John Loike, a professor of biology and director of bioethics at LAS, is known for his engaging courses, deep scientific expertise, and ability to make students think — not just scientifically, but ethically and Jewishly.

Dr. Loike teaches a range of undergraduate courses, including Genetics, Cell Biology, and Immunology for science majors, as well as Bioethics, AI in Medicine, and Medical Ethics for both science and non-science students. Some of these courses are offered asynchronously, giving students flexibility while still grappling with cutting-edge questions in medicine and halacha.

“I want students to understand how Torah and Jewish law relate to their responsibilities as future medical professionals,” he said.

A former researcher in immunology and neuroscience, he continues to publish on topics at the intersection of science and Jewish law. His work often focuses on cutting-edge questions in medical science, including gene editing, stem cell therapies, and ethical concerns around emerging biotechnology.

“The challenge isn’t just discovering what’s possible,” he said, “it’s deciding what’s ethical.”

Even after years of teaching, Dr. Loike updates his content regularly — refreshing lectures, redesigning assignments, and integrating student interests into his published work. He has also led undergraduate medical mission trips to Thailand, where students visited hospitals, observed specialized wards, and confronted real-world healthcare challenges.

Course Spotlight: Medical Physiology

One standout course in the biology department is Medical Physiology (BION 420), which explores how the body’s systems function in health and disease. Taught by Dr. Jonathan Barash, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia School of Medicine, the course connects classroom concepts to real medical cases to help students see how what they’re learning applies directly to clinical practice.

It’s a favorite among pre-med and pre-health students who want to deepen their understanding of the human body and get an early look at the kind of thinking they’ll need in medical school. With an emphasis on real-life application and critical reasoning, it’s also a great fit for anyone curious about how biology becomes medicine.

In addition to advanced electives in genetics and microbiology, another popular class is Dr. Majeedul Chowdhury’s Medical Phytochemistry (BION 555), which explores the healing properties of plants and how global medical practitioners use botanical remedies.

More About the Biology Major

In the biology program, you’ll gain research experience, develop strong analytical and communication skills, and build a strong foundation for whatever comes next. Here’s more of what you can expect from the biology major:

• Independent Study Options: You can explore advanced topics not covered in regular coursework through one-on-one tutorials or directed research.
• Supportive Environment: You’ll grow to consider the 5th floor a second home. Beyond the lab, you’ll find the space collaborative, student-centered, and supportive, with open doors and faculty always ready for conversation.
• National Benchmarking: Our biology majors take the ETS Major Field Test in Biology, which is taken by tens of thousands of students nationwide every year. Plus: Many of our students score above the national average, which earns them bonus points in their senior research course (BIO 493)!
• Science Society: Join the Pre-Professional and Health Sciences Society and be part of a network of students and alumni pursuing careers in health, science, and medicine.

Student tip: From the faculty to the tutors, there are so many helpful resources. Definitely work with the tutors, who are a few years ahead, graduating soon, or taking their MCATs. It’s a mutually beneficial partnership because they get to keep up with all the sciences and you get a great connection and all the help you need. - Rachelle Halpert (BS Biology, ’25)

Honors in Biology

If you want to take your studies further, the biology honors major offers additional upper-level courses designed to strengthen your preparation for graduate programs and medical or dental school.

The honors major builds on the standard biology major, requiring additional credits and offering deeper exposure to advanced topics and the completion of a senior project. Honors students also complete a hands-on research course (BIO 494), often in partnership with top labs at institutions like Cornell, Columbia, and Memorial Sloan Kettering.

This track is an excellent choice for students pursuing the Medical Honors Pathway or Integrated Honors Tracks, as well as anyone seeking a more rigorous, research-driven foundation in the life sciences.

Publish Your Original Research in The Science Journal

Biology majors at Touro LAS have the unique opportunity to publish their work in The Science Journal, a peer-reviewed publication showcasing original student research. 

Each submission undergoes a rigorous review process, with editorial oversight by faculty and student editors. Art and digital design students contribute to the journal's layout and cover art, making it a collaborative, interdisciplinary project. 

Here are some recent articles you’ll find in the journal: 

• "How Does Marijuana Affect Reproductive Health?" by Miriam Blatner
• “Non-surgical Treatment Options for Male-pattern Baldness” by Robert Schiffer 
• “The Effects of Electronic Cigarettes on the Oral Cavity” by Batsheva Saposh
• "Is Growth Hormone the Fountain of Youth?" by David Youlus
• "Can Physicians Transfer Bacteria onto Patients Through Their Neckties?" by Alexandra Pinkhas

Published every spring and fall for nearly 20 years, the journal’s 350+ papers are available online in Touro Scholar, providing visibility to prospective employers and graduate programs. You can even see where current viewers are reading from and keep tabs on downloads, which have surpassed 390,000!

Graduate and Professional Pathways at Touro

Our biology students can take advantage of structured pathways that connect their undergraduate education with graduate and professional programs at Touro and other prestigious universities and colleges. 

One of the most popular paths is nursing, with many students pursuing a BS or Accelerated BSN at Touro’s School of Health Sciences. We also have a competitive Medical Honors Pathway (MHP) program featuring integrated tracks that provide a clear and focused path to graduate and professional degrees.

The following programs give eligible students early assurance of admission to select medical, dental, and graduate schools, provided they stay on track and meet all the academic requirements:

• MD at New York Medical College through the Medical Honors Pathway
• DO at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) through the Integrated Osteopathic Medicine Track
• PharmD at Touro College of Pharmacy through the Integrated Pharmacy Track
• DDS at Touro College of Dental Medicine through the Dental Honors Pathway (DHP)
• MS in PA, DPT, or MS in OT at the Touro School of Health Sciences through the Integrated Health Sciences Track

With Touro’s integrated pathways, you’ll get individualized guidance and mentorship from faculty at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, so you can move forward with a clear plan and strong support.

After Touro: Careers and Opportunities

Our graduates go on to pursue healthcare, education, or scientific research careers through advanced degrees, competitive training programs, and meaningful roles in the field.

In addition to pursuing advanced education through Touro’s pathway programs, our grads take a number of other paths, including:

• Physician Assistant (PA) at LIU and SUNY Downstate
• Nursing studies at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing and Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
• Occupational and Physical Therapy (OT/PT) studies at SUNY Downstate
• Pharmacy and Optometry studies at SUNY College of Optometry
• Podiatric Medicine (DPM) studies at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM)

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Efrat Bruck

For Dr. Efrat Bruck, medicine has always been personal. Her family moved from Israel to New York so her brother could receive life-saving kidney care, and that early experience sparked a dream she held onto tightly. 

It all began at Touro LAS in Flatbush, where Dr. Bruck earned her honors degree in biology. 

“Touro provided me with an excellent education that was tailored to my needs,” she says. “They give you the tools to succeed while being culturally sensitive — which is crucial for religious students.”

Today, Dr. Bruck is an anesthesiology resident at Mount Sinai Hospital, a mother of two, and a driving force in the Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association (JOWMA). As cofounder and director of the JOWMA Pre-Med program, she helps young Orthodox women navigate the journey to medical school through one-on-one advising, mentoring, shadowing opportunities, and community support.

She’s also passionate about expanding access to education and has created 30+ free MCAT prep videos for Khan Academy and drawing on her background as a high school teacher to bridge the worlds of science and empathy. 

“Teaching is a vital skill in medicine,” she says. “Helping patients understand what’s happening can be just as important as the treatment itself.”

What to Expect at LAS

At Lander College of Arts & Sciences, you'll find more than just a place to earn your degree. You’ll join a community that understands your life, respects your values, and supports your long-term goals — whether you're headed for med school, a research lab, or another career in the health sciences.