Biology, BS

Tuition Fee

Not Available

Start Date

Not Available

Medium of studying

On campus

Duration

120 hours

Details

Program Details

Degree

Bachelors

Major

Biology | Ecology | Microbiology

Area of study

Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries | Natural Science

Education type

On campus

Timing

Full time

Course Language

English

About Program

Program Overview

The Biology, BS program provides diverse training for careers in the biological sciences. The biology curriculum includes content courses required for teacher certification in life science, acceptance to post-graduate studies, and pre-professional studies in preparation for admission to professional schools.

Program Description

The biology program is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of biology, including the scientific method, biological experiments, and communication of biological information. The program prepares students for careers in research, marine biology, wildlife and coastal management, environmental protection, laboratory technician, biotechnology industry, medical or environmental microbiology, technical writing, pharmaceutical sales, and science education.

Purpose of Biology Program

The purpose of the biology program is to provide students with a comprehensive education in the biological sciences, preparing them for a variety of careers and graduate studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Possess a broad understanding of biology
Understand the scientific method and use it to develop and conduct biological experiments
Have the skills necessary to successfully communicate biological information to a range of audiences

The Honors Program

The Honors Program offers highly motivated students an enriched program of study, allowing them to develop global perspectives. Appropriate courses approved by both a student's Biology faculty mentor and Honors advisor may count toward the Biology degree.

Fast Track from Bachelor's to Master's Degree

The university allows high-achieving students to count a select number of graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree, obtaining a graduate degree at an accelerated pace.

General Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Biology degree requires a minimum of 120 semester credit hours:

42 hours are University Core Curriculum Program courses
46 hours are biology core courses
32 hours are biology career track courses

Requirements

First-Year Seminars (when applicable): 0-2 hours
Core Curriculum Program: 42 hours
Biology Core Courses: 46 hours
Biology Track Courses: 32 hours
Total Credit Hours: 120-122 hours

Biology Career Tracks

Each biology career track is designed to provide specific background in a biological discipline. The integrative biology track provides a broad background in the biological sciences.

Ecology Track

The Ecology Track focuses on interactions between organisms and the physical environment, preparing students for careers in fields such as agriculture, environmental protection, conservation, natural resource management, and public education.

Marine Biology Track

The Marine Biology track focuses on organisms in marine and coastal systems, preparing students for careers in fisheries and aquaculture, coastal/marine resource management and conservation, outdoor recreation, and aquatic science.

Cell/Molecular Biology Track

The Cell/Molecular Biology track focuses on the chemical, cellular, and tissue levels of biological organization, preparing students for careers in biotechnology and healthcare professions, research laboratories, biological/pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality control, agricultural testing, and health- or biotechnology-related sales.

Microbiology Track

The Microbiology track focuses on bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, preparing students for careers in industrial, environmental, medical, public health, and agricultural laboratories, industrial quality control, health care professions, research, biotechnology, and microbiology-related sales.

Organismal Biology Track

The Organismal Biology track focuses on the natural history, ecology, structure, and function of plants and/or animals, preparing students for careers in wildlife management, fisheries, natural resource management, parks and recreation, biodiversity and conservation, habitat restoration, and agriculture or horticulture.

Integrative Biology Track

The Integrative Biology track emphasizes the integration of physical factors, cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems in producing functional organisms, preparing students for careers in health care, government or academic research, agriculture, or biology sales.

Approved Electives

Any upper division Biology course (BIOL 3XXX or 4XXX) may be taken as an elective. The upper division Biomedical (BIMS) courses listed below may be taken as electives for the BS Biology degree without seeking approval.

List of Electives

Any BIOL 3XXX or 4XXX course
BIMS 3401 Pathophysiology
BIMS 4311 Biology of Cancer
BIMS 4323 Neurobiology
BIMS 4327 Introduction to Toxicology
BIMS 4330 Biological Basis of Aging
BIMS 4333 Medical Entomology
BIMS 4334 Human Genetics
BIMS 4335 Endocrinology
BIMS 4374 Medical Microbiology
BIMS 4375 Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis
BIMS 4410 Histology

Course Sequencing

The following course sequencing plans are available for each biology career track:

Ecology Track Plan of Study Grid

First Year: BIOL 1406, CHEM 1411, ENGL 1301, UNIV 1101
Second Year: BIOL 1407, CHEM 1412, ENGL 1302, UNIV 1102
Third Year: BIOL 2416, BIOL 2421, BIOL 2371, CHEM 3411
Fourth Year: BIOL 3428, BIOL 4323, BIOL 4334, BIOL 4408

Marine Biology Track Plan of Study Grid

First Year: BIOL 1406, CHEM 1411, ENGL 1301, UNIV 1101
Second Year: BIOL 1407, CHEM 1412, ENGL 1302, UNIV 1102
Third Year: BIOL 2416, BIOL 2421, BIOL 2371, CHEM 3411
Fourth Year: BIOL 3428, BIOL 4336, BIOL 4353, BIOL 4429

Cell/Molecular Biology Track Plan of Study Grid

First Year: BIOL 1406, CHEM 1411, ENGL 1301, UNIV 1101
Second Year: BIOL 1407, CHEM 1412, ENGL 1302, UNIV 1102
Third Year: BIOL 2416, BIOL 2421, BIOL 2371, CHEM 3411
Fourth Year: BIOL 3428, BIOL 3403, BIOL 3410, CHEM 4401

Microbiology Track Plan of Study Grid

First Year: BIOL 1406, CHEM 1411, ENGL 1301, UNIV 1101
Second Year: BIOL 1407, CHEM 1412, ENGL 1302, UNIV 1102
Third Year: BIOL 2416, BIOL 2421, BIOL 2371, CHEM 3411
Fourth Year: BIOL 3428, BIOL 4406, BIMS 4374, CHEM 4401

Organismal Biology Track Plan of Study Grid

First Year: BIOL 1406, CHEM 1411, ENGL 1301, UNIV 1101
Second Year: BIOL 1407, CHEM 1412, ENGL 1302, UNIV 1102
Third Year: BIOL 2416, BIOL 2421, BIOL 2371, CHEM 3411
Fourth Year: BIOL 3428, BIOL 4330, BIOL 3413, BIOL 3414

Integrative Biology Track Plan of Study Grid

First Year: BIOL 1406, CHEM 1411, ENGL 1301, UNIV 1101
Second Year: BIOL 1407, CHEM 1412, ENGL 1302, UNIV 1102
Third Year: BIOL 2416, BIOL 2421, BIOL 2371, CHEM 3411
Fourth Year: BIOL 3428, BIOL 3410, BIOL 3430, PHYS 1401

Courses

The following courses are available for the Biology, BS program:

BIOL 1308 Science for Life I (Non-Majors Biology)

A non-majors science course, introducing basic biological principles and the scientific method.

BIOL 1406 Biology I

Presentation of basic biological concepts, including scientific method, cytology, energetics, nucleic acids, and genetics.

BIOL 1407 Biology II

An overview of the major concepts in biological diversity and plant and animal biology.

BIOL 2300 Science Communication

A course involving presentation and discussion of selected topics relating to the professional skills of practicing biological scientists.

BIOL 2371 Principles of Evolution

An overview of the mechanisms by which heritable information changes, adaptations develop, and species diversify.

BIOL 2416 Genetics

Principles of genetic transmissions and molecular basis of heredity and variation.

BIOL 2421 Microbiology

An introduction to microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

BIOL 2472 Principles of Botany

Introduction to the structure, function, diversity, and application of plants.

BIOL 3403 Molecular Biology

Principles of molecular biology, including advanced concepts of gene structure, expression, and regulation.

BIOL 3410 Cell Biology

Study of cellular architecture and function, including membranes, transport, organelles, cytoskeleton, and signaling mechanisms.

BIOL 3413 Invertebrate Zoology

Structure, life history, and evolution of the invertebrates, with special emphasis on the phylogeny and ecological relationships of the major phyla.

BIOL 3414 Vertebrate Zoology

Structure, life history, and evolution of the vertebrates, with special emphasis on the phylogeny and ecological relationships of the classes.

BIOL 3425 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

General trends in morphological development and adaptation as demonstrated by the anatomy of nonhuman vertebrate species.

BIOL 3428 Principles of Ecology

Introduction to the interrelationships of organisms and their environment, including population structure, community classification, and regulation.

BIOL 3430 Physiology

The study of physiological processes that are the product of complex interactions between tissues, organs, and organ systems.

BIOL 3455 Plant Form and Function

Anatomy of vegetative and reproductive organs of plants, unique cellular features, development, and differentiation of cell and tissue types.

BIOL 3479 Plant Ecology

Structure, physiology, life cycles, and economic impact of plants, including factors influencing diversity, succession, and ecological distribution.

BIOL 4301 Embryology

The events that occur just prior to and during gestation, including gametogenesis, chromosomal and single gene aberrations, teratology, and the development of the body systems.

BIOL 4302 Coral Reef Conservation

Survey of challenges and threats facing coral reef ecosystems, including discussion of conservation and management strategies.

BIOL 4304 Biology of Viruses

Introduction to the study of viruses, including viral life cycles, replication schemes, and Baltimore classification of representative bacteriophages, plant, and animal viruses.

BIOL 4307 Fungal Biology and Ecology

Overview of the fungi, including their characteristics, diversity, and ecology, as well as interactions between fungi and other organisms.

BIOL 4308 Biogeography

Theories, methods, and current directions in modern biogeography, emphasizing marine and terrestrial plant and animal species and communities.

BIOL 4311 Biological Bases of Behavior

The processes by which neuronal circuits generate behaviors and the mechanisms by which experience modulates the activity of these circuits.

BIOL 4312 Mariculture Techniques

Application of biological, mechanical, and other concepts required to develop the skills and techniques necessary for efficient operation and management of public and private aquaculture facilities.

BIOL 4315 Animal Behavior

What mechanisms cause behavior, how behavior develops, how behavior affects survival and reproduction, and how behavior evolves.

BIOL 4319 Biology of Marine Mammals

Introduction to marine mammals, with a focus on their interactions with their biotic and abiotic environment.

BIOL 4323 Global Change Ecology

The effects of climatic and anthropogenic change on terrestrial and aquatic structure and function.

BIOL 4328 Fisheries

Theory and techniques in fisheries science, including practical fisheries sampling designs and techniques, behavior of fisheries populations, and application to resource management.

BIOL 4330 Conservation Biology

Principles and theories relating to the conservation of biological diversity, including patterns and processes creating biological diversity, estimates of extinction rates, consequences of losses of biodiversity, and causes of diversity loss.

BIOL 4334 Biology and Ecology of Coral Reefs

The biology of corals, abiotic and biotic interactions among coral reef ecosystem inhabitants, threats of climate change, and conservation and management of reefs.

BIOL 4336 Marine Ecology

Habitats and community structure in marine environments, including biotic and abiotic factors governing the distribution of marine organisms.

BIOL 4340 Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics

An introduction to integrative biological study using genome-wide approaches and bioinformatics.

BIOL 4343 Oceans and Human Health

The links between oceans, pollution, human well-being, ecosystem services, resource management, and the science and legislation governing the enforcement of water quality standards.

BIOL 4350 Research and Design

Experimental design, literature review of a research topic, and laboratory work on the research topic.

BIOL 4353 Down the River: Biology of Gulf Coast Fishes

Aspects of ecology and biogeography of riverine and estuarine fishes, including field sampling techniques and museum preparation of specimens.

BIOL 4355 Public Aquarium and Animal Care Operations

The unique requirements needed for public aquariums and zoos to balance animal care and health with public display for general education and conservation research.

BIOL 4360 Computation for 21st Century Biologists

Preparation and enablement of students to use computational tools for bioinformatic applications in advanced courses and independent research projects.

BIOL 4370 Mariculture

The physiological, behavioral, environmental, and economic parameters governing the culture of selected aquatic species.

BIOL 4396 Directed Independent Study

Research in areas of current interest, with a written report required.

BIOL 4399 Directed Independent Research

Independent laboratory- or field-based research project on a topic of current interest, with a written report required.

BIOL 4406 Immunology

An overview of immunology, with emphasis on current knowledge of the immune system.

BIOL 4408 Microbial Diversity and Ecology

Biodiversity and roles of microorganisms in natural environments, including interactions with other micro- and macro-organisms and abiotic factors.

BIOL 4410 Mammalogy

Systematics and ecology of mammals, including mammalian origins, structure and function, diversity, ecology, behavior, and conservation.

BIOL 4413 Entomology

A broad overview of the natural history, classification, phylogeny, ecology, behavior, development, and physiology of insects and their kin.

BIOL 4425 Ornithology

Systematics, anatomy, physiology, ecology, behavior, and field identification of birds.

BIOL 4429 Marine Botany

The ecology of marine plants, with emphasis on identification, life histories, and environmental factors of distribution.

BIOL 4430 Marine Plankton

The systematics, distribution, and ecology of major marine plankton groups, introducing major concepts in biological oceanography.

BIOL 4432 Ichthyology

Systematics, evolution, biology, and ecology of fishes, including laboratory identification of marine and freshwater fishes.

BIOL 4433 Parasitology

An introduction to parasitology, with emphasis on internal parasites and references to human endoparasites and parasites of veterinary importance.

BIOL 4439 Case Work Methods in Forensic Anthropology

The study of human bones and skeletal anatomy, combined with established and validated forensic anthropological methods to solve theoretical and actual forensic cases involving human remains.

BIOL 4442 Herpetology

Systematics, ecology, and behavior of amphibians and reptiles.

BIOL 4444 Estuarine Organisms

Systematics, distribution, and ecology of estuarine macrofauna, including a required field trip and individual study.

BIOL 4547 Marine Science Field Camp

Techniques required to properly conduct marine science field research, including biotic and abiotic sample collection and processing, quantitative analysis of field data, evaluation of environmental factors, survival and distribution of living organisms, and the structure of biotic communities.

BIOL 4590 Selected Topics

Variable content, which may be repeated for credit.

BIOL 4598 Biology Internship

Two to six semester credit hours may be earned by working in an internship position in a governmental agency, private industry, or other appropriate venue.

BIOL 4609 Field and Sampling Techniques

The study of techniques required for proper field work in the biological sciences, including ecological sampling methods, safety, logistics, equipment operation and maintenance, and travel concerns.