Program Overview
University of South Florida St. Petersburg Biology Program
The Biology program at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg provides a broad and robust foundation to understand the life sciences. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking and communication skills, as well as competency in experimental design, data analysis, and methodology for lab and field research.
Degree Options
The Department of Integrative Biology offers a B.S. in Biology on the St. Petersburg campus. Students can complete all degree requirements on the St. Petersburg campus.
Program Description
Through the Biology program, students can understand the foundations of biology at all levels, from single-celled organisms to global-epidemiological studies. They do so by becoming immersed in many cross-disciplinary methods that are used to answer biological questions from computer modeling to field studies.
Concentrations
Students will have the option to concentrate their studies in one of four subdisciplines of biology:
- The Animal Biology concentration provides students with a firm foundation in the principles of biology, with special emphasis on form and function, ecology and evolution, and diversity of animals. This concentration serves students interested in veterinary medicine, wildlife management, and careers working in a zoo or aquarium. It also provides a foundation for pre-medical studies.
- The Ecology and Evolution concentration serves students interested in careers in ecology, environmental management and consulting, restoration, natural resources management, conservation biology, and museum conservators.
- The Medical Biology concentration has a pre-professional focus and prepares students for careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, and nursing.
- The Plant Biology concentration provides students with a firm foundation in the principles of biology, with special emphasis on form and function, ecology and evolution, and diversity of plants. This concentration serves students interested in careers in plant ecology and conservation, taxonomy, environmental management and consulting, or graduate studies in the plant sciences.
- Biology students also have the option to complete a General Biology program of study instead of one of the above concentrations, selecting elective courses of interest.
Research Opportunities
Faculty on the St. Petersburg campus conduct research on a wide variety of subjects, including:
- Animal behavior
- Biodiversity
- Cell biology
- Conservation biology
- Deep-sea biology
- Ecology
- Freshwater botany
- Genetics
- Herpetology
- Immunology
- Invasive species biology
- Invertebrate zoology
- Limnology
- Mammalogy
- Marine ecology
- Microbiology
- Paleolimnology
- Phycology
- Physiology
- Sociobiology
Biology students on the St. Petersburg campus can participate in faculty research through undergraduate research or volunteer opportunities, and many also assist Conservation Biology M.S. graduate students with their lab or field work.
Career Opportunities
The skills and experiences through the Biology program will prepare students for a successful career in biology or further education in a variety of areas, such as health science, data science, environmental science, and science education. Potential careers in biology include:
- Wildlife manager
- Veterinarian
- Doctor
- Physical therapist
- Pharmacist
- Environmental manager
- Plant ecologist
- Conservationist
Program Requirements
Always refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for degree requirements. Students will normally begin progress toward the major by taking at least one course from the major core, as these often serve as prerequisites for the electives. Students are urged to consult with the Biology advisor to create the most beneficial set of courses.
Accreditation
The University of South Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of South Florida also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of South Florida may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.