B.S. Biology
https://www.tamuct.edu/degrees/undergraduate/biology.html
OVERVIEW
Biology is a multidisciplinary cutting-edge field encompassing the vast diversity of life from the smallest amino acid to ecosystem dynamics. Our program includes a diversity of courses that are taught by faculty who are dedicated to quality education through scholarship and research. The breadth of our faculty interests and experiences enable students to specialize their degree in sub-disciplines of biology such as biotechnology, ecology and conservation biology, organismal biology.
Program Level Student Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
- Integrate concepts among biological subdisciplines to understand complex biological processes
- Describe the scientific method and evaluate the benefits and limitations of different research designs as employed in biological science
- Apply the results of scientific research to practical applications in the biological sciences
- Apply statistical methods to interpret the results of their research
- Summarize and explain research findings through oral and written communication
- Be proficient in biology and chemistry experimental techniques
- Critically evaluate scientific research in the biological sciences
- Employ critical thinking skills to distinguish between real science and pseudoscience
- Demonstrate the ability to read and critically analyze scientific research papers
Program Entry Requirements
Students will be admitted into the Biology major by the faculty once the application criteria are met. To be accepted into the Biology program, students must:
- Have an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Bachelor of Science Biology - Biotechnology Concentration Program Requirements
Refer to the General Education Core Requirements page for more information on the CORE REQ coursework. The Field of Study (FOS) courses are listed in the footnotes (if applicable). At least 120 credit hours are required for the degree.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE REQ Communications (010) | 3 | |
| BIOL 1406 | Biology for Science Majors I (Lecture + Lab) (CORE REQ (030) 2 | 4 |
| MATH 2413 | Calculus I (CORE REQ Mathematics (020)) 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry I (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
| Spring | ||
| CORE REQ Language, Philosophy, and Culture (040) | 3 | |
| BIOL 1407 | Biology for Science Majors II (Lecture + Lab) (CORE REQ (030) 2 | 4 |
| CORE REQ Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ Creative Arts (050) | 3 | |
| CHEM 1412 | General Chemistry II (CORE REQ (090) 2 | 4 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE REQ Communications (010) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ American History (060) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ Government/Political Science (070) | 3 | |
| CHEM 2423 | Organic Chemistry I (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
| Any Level Elective | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 2421 | Microbiology for Science Majors 2 | 4 |
| CORE REQ American History (060) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ Government/Political Science (070) | 3 | |
| PHYS 1401 | College Physics I (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 2425 | Organic Chemistry II (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 3452 | Principles of Genetics 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 4430 | Biochemistry I 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 3415 | Analytical Chemistry 2 | 4 |
| MATH 3350 | Principles of Bio-Statistics 2 | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 4470 | Cell Biology 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 3380 | Research Methods 2 | 3 |
| Any Level Elective | 3 | |
| Any Level Elective | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 4471 | Molecular Biology 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 4380 | Evolution 2 | 3 |
| Upper-Level Elective - Faculty Approved | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Elective - Faculty Approved | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 4451 | Bioinformatics 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 4395 | Biology Capstone 2 | 3 |
| Upper-Level Elective - Faculty Approved | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Elective - Faculty Approved | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Lower Level Electives, Any Level Electives, Component Area Options or Degree Requirements (DEG REQ) may consist of the FOS courses: BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, CHEM 2423, PHYS 1401 or (the 3 credit hour course plus the 1 credit hour lab).
- 2
Courses must be completed with a "C" or better.
Bachelor of Science Biology - Ecology/Conservation Concentration Program Requirements
Refer to the General Education Core Requirements page for more information on the CORE REQ coursework. The Field of Study (FOS) courses are listed in the footnotes (if applicable). At least 120 credit hours are required for the degree.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE REQ Communications (010) | 3 | |
| MATH 2413 | Calculus I (CORE REQ (020) 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 1406 | Biology for Science Majors I (Lecture + Lab) (CORE REQ (030) 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry I (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
| Spring | ||
| CORE REQ Language, Philosophy, and Culture (040) | 3 | |
| BIOL 1407 | Biology for Science Majors II (Lecture + Lab) (CORE REQ (030) 2 | 4 |
| CORE REQ Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ Creative Arts (050) | 3 | |
| CHEM 1412 | General Chemistry II (CORE REQ (090) 2 | 4 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE REQ Communications (010) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ American History (060) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ Government/Political Science (070) | 3 | |
| CHEM 2423 | Organic Chemistry I (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 2421 | Microbiology for Science Majors 2 | 4 |
| CORE REQ American History (060) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ Government/Political Science (070) | 3 | |
| PHYS 1401 | College Physics I (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 2425 | Organic Chemistry II (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 3452 | Principles of Genetics 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 3401 | Ecology 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 4430 | Biochemistry I 2 | 4 |
| MATH 3350 | Principles of Bio-Statistics 2 | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 4301 | Conservation Biology 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 3440 | Invertebrate Zoology 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 3380 | Research Methods 2 | 3 |
| Any Level Elective | 4 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 4380 | Evolution 2 | 3 |
| Upper-Level Elective - Faculty Approved | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Elective - Faculty Approved | 3 | |
| Any Level Elective | 3 | |
| Any Level Elective | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 4302 | Restoration Ecology 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 4395 | Biology Capstone 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 3430 | Botany 2 | 4 |
| Upper-Level Elective - Faculty Approved | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Lower Level Electives, Any Level Electives, Component Area Options, or Degree Requirements (DEG REQ) may consist of the FOS courses: BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, CHEM 2423, PHYS 1401 or (the 3 credit hour course plus the 1 credit hour lab).
- 2
Courses must be completed with a "C" or better.
Bachelor of Science Biology - Organismal Biology Concentration Program Requirements
Refer to the General Education Core Requirements page for more information on the CORE REQ coursework. The Field of Study (FOS) courses are listed in the footnotes (if applicable). At least 120 credit hours are required for the degree.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
Fall | ||
| CORE REQ Communications (010) | 3 | |
| MATH 2413 | Calculus I (CORE REQ (020) 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 1406 | Biology for Science Majors I (Lecture + Lab) (CORE REQ (030) 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry I (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
Spring | ||
| CORE REQ Language, Philosophy, and Culture (040) | 3 | |
| BIOL 1407 | Biology for Science Majors II (Lecture + Lab) (CORE REQ (030) 2 | 4 |
| CORE REQ Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ Creative Arts (050) | 3 | |
| CHEM 1412 | General Chemistry II (CORE REQ (090) 2 | 4 |
| Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
| CORE REQ Communications (010) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ American History (060) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ Government/Political Science (070) | 3 | |
| CHEM 2423 | Organic Chemistry I (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
Spring | ||
| BIOL 2421 | Microbiology for Science Majors 2 | 4 |
| CORE REQ American History (060) | 3 | |
| CORE REQ Government/Political Science (070) | 3 | |
| CHEM 2425 | Organic Chemistry II (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
| PHYS 1401 | College Physics I (Lecture + Lab) 2 | 4 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 3452 | Principles of Genetics 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 3401 | Ecology 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 4430 | Biochemistry I 2 | 4 |
| MATH 3350 | Principles of Bio-Statistics 2 | 3 |
Spring | ||
| BIOL 3430 | Botany 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 3380 | Research Methods 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 3420 | Entomology (Footnote applied to both BIOL 3420 and 3440) 2 | 4 |
| or BIOL 3440 | Invertebrate Zoology | |
| Any Level Elective | 3 | |
| Any Level Elective | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
Fall | ||
| BIOL 4380 | Evolution 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 3318 | Animal Physiology 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 3445 | Comparative Vertebrate Zoology 2 | 4 |
| Any Level Elective | 3 | |
Spring | ||
| BIOL 4346 | Animal Behavior 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 4395 | Biology Capstone 2 | 3 |
| Upper-Level Elective - Faculty Approved | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Elective - Faculty Approved | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Lower Level Electives, Any Level Electives, Component Area Options, or Degree Requirements (DEG REQ) may consist of the FOS courses: BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, CHEM 2423, PHYS 1401 or (the 3 credit hour course plus the 1 credit hour lab).
- 2
Courses must be completed with a "C" or better.
