Biology B.S.

Overview

The curriculum in biology provides students a fundamental knowledge of biology allowing them exposure to new, cutting edge areas of biological research. The biology degree prepares students to enter exciting and challenging careers in the many diverse and rapidly expanding areas of biological employment, including molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology, science teaching, forensics, environmental biology, conservation and the health sciences (medical/dental school; veterinary, pharmacology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dosimetry, public health (microbiology), chiropractic, optometry, physician assistant, podiatry, cytotechnology and clinical laboratory sciences.) The biology program also provides courses for general education (university core) in the natural sciences to introduce students to science, biology, biological concepts and how these affect society. The Department of Biology also provides courses to support other university programs such as chemistry, education, kinesiology, criminal justice (forensics), pharmacology, and nursing. Excellence in teaching and faculty mentoring with students is of the highest priority in the Department. Many of the biology faculty have received UT System-wide and University-wide teaching excellence awards. Biology faculty have nationally and internationally recognized research programs in which students are highly encouraged to participate to prepare them for future studies at the graduate level and professional schools.

Biology High School Preparation

Students desiring a major in biology are expected to have a strong high school background in science and mathematics as well as to have good writing skills. Calculus, biology, chemistry, and physics are disciplines the student should have studied in high school. Students who have not had these studies in high school may have additional prerequisite courses as part of their curriculum. Contact the chair of the Department of Biology for information and advisement.

Options:

The following options are available to a student interested in biology:

1. B.S. in Biology- 29 semester hours of Core Biology Courses (most of these courses require laboratory): General Biology I & II, Ecology, Cell Biology, Plant Morphology, Evolution, Scientific Communication I & II; 21 semester hours of Biology Electives chosen from the following: Vertebrate Natural History, Aquatic Biology, Biogeography, Ornithology, Herpetology, Conservation Biology, Entomology, Cell & Molecular biology, Microbiology, Physiology, Immunology, Genomics, Bioinformatics. Non-biology Courses required: Calculus I, College or University Physics I & II, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II, Biochemistry I. Statistics is required for many health professional schools (medical/dental/PA etc).
2. Minor in Biology: General Biology I & II plus 12 upper-division hours for a total of 20 semester hours.
3. Teacher Certification: See Teacher Certification in Life Science or Science.