Biology: Preprofessional, B.S.

General Education

(see Certified General Education Courses for a list of approved courses)

Rhetoric and Writing: (6 hours)

Two approved courses in rhetoric and writing

Fine Arts and Humanities: (12 hours)

Complete one approved course in each subcategory

Historical Understanding (3 hours)

Literature (3 hours)

Thought, Values and Beliefs (3 hours)

Visual and Performing Arts (3 hours)

Natural Sciences: (7-8 hours)

Two approved natural sciences courses, at least one including a laboratory component

Behavioral and Social Sciences: (6 hours)

Two approved behavioral or social science courses in two different disciplines

Mathematics: (3 hours)

One approved mathematics course

Statistics: (3 hours)

MATH 2100 - Introductory Statistics *
Students who have taken ENGR 2220, HHP 4010, MATH 3100, 4110, PSY 2010 or SOC 2500 and subsequently changed their major to Biology will have satisfied this requirement.

Non-Western Culture: (3 hours)

One approved non-western culture course

Program Requirements

ENGL 2820 - Scientific Writing or
BIOL 4995r - Departmental Thesis
Students who have taken ENGL 2810, 2880 or 2830 and subsequently changed their major to Biology will have satisfied this requirement.
Foreign Language: Complete one year in one foreign language or equivalent through placement. Students with documented evidence that English is their second language as determined by the departmenthead will meet the foreign language requirement after successful completion of ENGL 1020 .
MATH 2100 - Introductory Statistics #
MATH 1130 - College Algebra
MATH 1830 - Calculus for Management, Life, and Social Sciences
or
MATH 1710 - Precalculus I
MATH 1720 - Precalculus II
MATH 1950 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
Initial course in the Mathematics sequence is dependent upon Placement
CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I
CHEM 1110L - General Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II
CHEM 1120L - General Chemistry II Laboratory
CHEM 3010 - Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 3010L - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 3020 - Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 3020L - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
CHEM 4510 - Biochemistry
PHYS 1030 - General Physics - Mechanics and Heat
PHYS 1030L - General Physics Laboratory - Mechanics and Heat
PHYS 1040 - General Physics - Electromagnetism and Optics
PHYS 1040L - General Physics Laboratory - Electromagnetism and Optics

Biology courses - 40 hours including:

Introductory Biology (all 3 courses required):

Core (all 3 courses required):

Survey (select 1 course):

Cell and Physiology (select 2 courses):

Advanced Ecology and Evolution (select 1 course):

Biology Electives:

Core Electives:

Special Topics Electives:

Biology Courses up to 40 hours:

All BIOL courses including:
BIOL 4610r - Biology Seminar (maximum 2 hours)
BIOL 4998r - Independent Studies and/or BIOL 4997r - Research (maximum 4 hours)

Additional Requirements for the Major:

Biology electives to complete 40 earned hours in Biology.
Complete a minimum of four (4) Biology lab courses above the 1000-level.
No more than 2 hours of BIOL 4610r (Seminar) and 4 hours of BIOL 4997r (Research) and/or BIOL 4998r (Individual Studies) may be counted as part of the 40 hours in Biology.
A minimum 16 hours of Biology courses at the 4000-level is required.
A minimum grade of C must be earned in BIOL 3060 , BIOL 3250 or BIOL 3350 in order to take a Survey or Cell and Physiology course. See course descriptions for specific prerequisites.
A minimum grade of C must be earned in BIOL 3060 , BIOL 3250 and BIOL 3350 in order to take an Advanced Ecology and Evolution course. See course descriptions for specific prerequisites.
Courses offered in Botany and Zoology at Gulf Coast Research Laboratory may be substituted. Approval of the department head is required.

Recommended Electives:

Additional Information and Notes

All senior level students must take a major field achievement test in biology prior to graduation.

2.0 GPA in all required major and related courses (including specified General Education courses).

Minimum of 39 hours of 3000 and 4000 level courses.

Electives to complete 120 hours.

See Degree and Graduation Requirements for additional requirements.

Licensure to Teach

Students seeking licensure to teach Biology should pursue their major through Biology: STEM Education, B.S.

ClearPath Showcase

ClearPath Showcases provide students with an opportunity to see program requirements defined in a semester-by-semester format. The ClearPath Showcases also provide students with important tips, pointers, and suggestions for staying on track with progress toward the degree. Students should also meet regularly with their academic advisor.