Bachelor of Science and Arts in Biology

Students at event in NHB patio.

Degree Description

This degree provides a well-rounded education in natural sciences with room to explore other interests in the humanities. The Bachelor of Science and Arts permits students to take advanced courses from a broad spectrum of the biological sciences, including:

  • Cellular, developmental and molecular biology
  • Genetics, genomics, and computational biology
  • Physiology, neuroscience, and behavior
  • Ecology, evolution, and biodiversity

The emphasis on a balanced program of study between biology courses enables students to explore additional academic interests from across the University. This degree prepares students for a variety of careers including, but not limited to, the health professions, business, law, and academia.


 

BIO B.S.A. Checklist

This degree requires 120 hours total (at least 60 hours in residence)

  • 27 hours in the Core Curriculum

View Individual Requirements
  • First Year Signature Course (3 hours)
  • English Composition (3 hours)
  • Humanities (3 hours)
  • American & Texas Government (6 hours)
  • American History (6 hours)
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 hours)
  • Mathematics ( 0 hours - fulfilled by courses in major)
  • Science & Technology I (0 hours - fulfilled by courses in major)
  • Science & Technology II (0 hours - fulfilled by courses in major)
  • Visual & Performing Arts (3 hours)
  • 12 hours in Language, Arts, and Culture

View Individual Requirements
Must take coursework from a minimum of 2 of the areas listed below.

Fine Arts: DES, ENS, FA, MUS, ART, VAS, ARH, TD, and Performance (instrument courses).

Humanities: AMS, AHC, CC, CL, CRW, E, HMN, PHL, RS, and RHE.

Social and behavioral sciences: ANT, ECO, GRG, GOV, HIS, LIN, PSY, and SOC.

Foreign Language or Culture: Foreign language courses or culture courses chosen from an approved list.

  • 7 to 11 hours in Mathematics

View Individual Requirements
  • SDS 320E
  • M 408C, 408R, or 408N and 408S
Students who intend to take additional calculus coursework should begin the sequence with 408C or 408N.
  • 14 to 17 hours in Primary Science

View Individual Requirements
  • BIO 311C, 311D, and BIO 325, or 315H and 325H
  • BIO 206L
  • BIO 320 or 344
  • BIO 370
  • BIO 373
  • 12 to 16 hours in of of the following:

Molecular, cell, and developmental biology (4 courses total):
  • BIO 350
  • One course from the following list: BIO 349L, 320L, 331L, 226L, 230L, 260L, 361L, 377
  • Two courses from the following list: BIO 344, 366R, 326R, 361, 336, 350M, 355, 335, 349L, 320L, 331L, 226L, 230L, 260L, 361L, 377; BCH 369
Genetics, genomics, and computational biology (4 courses total):
  • Three courses from the following list: BIO 325T, 350, 356E, 327G, 337 (Topic 13), 366, 366R, 325L, 321G, 366, 377; SDS 322E; MNS 354E
  • One course from the following: BIO 325L, 321G, 377
Organismal biology and physiology (4 courses total):
  • Three courses from the following list: BIO 346, 365S & 165U, 361T, 328, 446L, 374 & 174L, 478L, 340L 369F, 453L, 448L, 377; NEU 320; MNS 355C, 354U, 354C, 357, 354, 352D
  • One course from the following list: BIO 446L, 478L, 340L, 369F, 453L, 448L, 371L, 377
Ecology, evolution, and biodiversity (4 courses total):
  • One course from the following list: BIO 364, 448L, 463L, 340L, 369F, 369L, 453L, 455L
  • One course from the following list: BIO 322 & 122L, 374 & 174L, 456L, 478L, 373L, 448L, 463L, 340L, 369F, 369L, 453L, 455L, 321G, 377
  • Two courses from the following list: BIO 322 & 122L, 351, 359K, 364, 374 & 174L, 375, 471, 456L, 478L, 373L, 448L, 463L, 340L, 369F, 369L, 453L, 455L, 321G 377; MNS 352C, 320, 357, 354E, 352E
  • 8 hours in a Secondary Science

View Individual Requirements
  • CH 301 or 301C
  • CH 302 or 302C
  • CH 204 or 104M and 104N
  • 4 hours in 1 of the following:

View Individual Requirements
  • PHY 302K and 105M (recommended)
  • PHY 317K and 105M
  • PHY 303K and 105M
  • PHY 301 and 101L
  • Additional Requirement:

View Individual Requirements:

Complete 1 of the following:

  1. 15 hours in a single field of study (cannot be in the colleges of Engineering, Geosciences, Natural Sciences, Nursing, or Pharmacy)

  2. Transcript-Recognized Minor (cannot be in the colleges of Engineering, Geosciences, Natural Sciences, Nursing, or Pharmacy)

  3. Transcript-Recognized Certificate