/College of Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Biology

Internship Opportunities in the Biological Sciences (BIO 488)

An internship is a premier way to bridge the gap between classroom theory and professional practice. The BIO 488: Internship in Biological Sciences course allows you to earn academic credit for career-focused experiences that prioritize professional development over primary bench research.

Quick Course Facts

  • Prerequisite: You must be accepted into an unpaid internship before requesting registration.

  • Major Credit: BIO 488 does not count toward Biology major elective requirements.

  • Degree Credit: Successful completion fulfills the EXP+ (Experiential Learning) Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) requirement.

  • Focus: Designed for professional roles, clinical shadowing, and non-research-heavy scientific work.

Diverse Career Pathways

Students have utilized BIO 488 to gain experience in various sectors of the life sciences. Below are examples of past internship activities categorized by field:

Clinical & Healthcare Experience

  • Shadowing Health Professionals: Gaining insight alongside Physicians, Veterinarians, Dentists, Nurse Practitioners, or Physical Therapists.

  • Direct Patient Support: Serving as a Medical Assistant, Medical Scribe, or Volunteer EMT.

  • Community Health: Working with the Red Watch Band or local fire departments (Hicksville, Plainview, Ridge, etc.).

Environmental & Ecological Impact

  • Conservation: Serving as an Aquatic Invasive Species Watershed Steward.

  • Field Research: Working with the New York Marine Rescue Center or the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

  • Environmental Analysis: Researching the biological breakdown of emerging contaminants.

Scientific Communication & Industry

  • Technical Writing: Contributing to scientific writing and literature review projects.

  • Corporate Science: Interning at headquarters for organizations like Collagen Matrix or Allied Microbiota.

  • Public Health: Analyzing COVID-19 research literature or working with the World Trade Center Health and Wellness Program.

Partner Organizations

Our students have successfully interned at a wide array of institutions, including:

Healthcare & Hospitals Research & Industry Public Service & Non-Profit
Memorial Sloan Kettering Allied Microbiota NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
NYU Langone Mirimus Inc. Mastic / Port Jefferson EMS
North Shore University Hospital Grow More Foundation Suffolk County Dept. of Health
LI Urgent Care Collagen Matrix The Humanology Project
Stony Brook University AMAYU Institute SUNY Buffalo Clinical & Translational Science

How to Apply

To secure your spot and receive credit, you must follow the formal approval process:

  1. Secure an Internship: Confirm your unpaid position with the host organization.

  2. Submit Documentation: Complete and submit the BIO Internship Registration Form.

  3. Awaiting Permission: Once your form is reviewed and approved, you will be given permission to enroll in BIO 488 via SOLAR.

Internship Opportunities