Biology

BSA in Biology

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

Beginning in the 22-24 catalog, BSA Biology students take a common set of upper-division Biology courses and then focus their studies in one of the following concentration areas: 

• Ecology, evolution, and biodiversity
• Organismal biology and physiology
• Genetics, genomics, and computational biology
• Molecular, cell, and developmental biology

In the 24-26 catalog, BSA Biology students take a common set of upper-division Biology courses and focus their studies in one of the following concentration areas: 

• Ecology, evolution, and biodiversity
• Organismal biology and physiology
• Genetics, genomics, and computational biology
• Molecular, cell, and developmental biology
• Microbiology and infectious disease
• Biochemistry

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.

BS in Biology, Option I: Ecology, Evolution & Behavior

This option provides students with an education in ecological studies and biodiversity and also emphasizes field experience. The degree requires courses in ecology and evolution as well as advanced courses in physiology, behavior, and biodiversity. Students have the option of tailoring their course and lab requirements in some of these areas to emphasize animal, plant, or ecological studies. Graduates may take positions with government agencies, consulting firms, or continue with graduate studies for academic careers at colleges, universities, museums, or other research organizations.

BS in Biology, Option II: Human Biology

Although the title might indicate a focus on the biology of the human body, students in this degree plan explore a much wider range of topics including human evolution, genomics, genetic and hormonal control of behavior, and impact on the environment. Students in this degree plan receive an interdisciplinary education about the relationship between biology and society. This option requires 19 hours of cross-disciplinary studies in the fields of statistics, physics, biochemistry, and organic chemistry. Additionally, students take a 3-hour course specific to the human biology major as well as courses in the following areas: Evolution, Genetics, genomics, and computational biology, Cellular, developmental, and molecular biology, Ecology, environment, and health, and Anatomy and/or physiology. Graduates are especially prepared for careers in research, medicine, law, or public affairs.

BS in Biology, Option III: Marine and Freshwater Biology

This option requires a breadth of biology, geology, chemistry, and marine science courses. It requires at least one summer at the Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, where students examine the physiology, diversity, and ecology of aquatic organisms. The location provides immediate access to a variety of marine environments and valuable hands-on fieldwork experience. Graduates play an important role in the protection and management of our aquatic resources.

A transcript-recognized certificate in Marine Science is also available.

BS in Biology, Option IV: Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

After completion of introductory microbiology and other core courses, students in this option study the structure, growth and metabolism, physiology, and genetics of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and the diseases that they produce. Students also study how the vertebrate immune system works to combat those diseases. Microbiology majors take courses that explore how cells receive signals from their environments, how cells adjust to reading different sets of genes, and how cells can be genetically engineered. Other topics of study include public health, tumor biology, yeast cell biology, and molecular biology. This option prepares students for a variety of careers, including business, law, biotechnology, medicine, public health, or research.

Beginning with the 24-26 catalog, BS Biology: Microbiology + Infectious Diseases majors also complete a capstone experience.

BS in Biology, Option V: Cell and Molecular Biology

This degree option incorporates topics of genetics, evolution, developmental biology, and microbiology into the study of cell and molecular biology. Students in this degree are encouraged to pursue individual research for course credit, as students take three total upper-division labs to meet degree requirements. This degree requires 18 semester hours of additional upper-division coursework in Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry and therefore requires a strong commitment to scientific study. Upon graduation, students are well prepared for medical or graduate schools as well as medical or laboratory research careers.

Beginning with the 24-26 catalog, BS Biology: Cell + Molecular Biology majors also complete a capstone experience.

BS in Biology, Option VII: Plant Biology

The Plant Biology option provides students with an education in all aspects of plant biology including evolution, physiology, ecology, molecular biology, genomics, and development. Careful selection of plant biology courses and electives will prepare students in one or more subdisciplines of their choice. A graduate of the Plant Biology option can expect to be positioned well for additional study in several areas, both basic and applied. Career paths include graduate school, medicine, business, biotechnology, museums, resource management, public agencies, or law. For example, training in plant biochemistry and molecular biology can be useful in pharmacology/drug discovery and design as well as preparation for graduate study. Similarly, training in ecology and evolution is excellent preparation for a career in conservation biology or graduate study in either of those fields. Most Plant Biology undergraduates work directly with faculty to perform independent field or laboratory research for credit.

Beginning with the 24-26 catalog, BS Biology: Plant Biology majors also complete a capstone experience.

BS in Biology, Option VIII: Teaching

This option is designed to fulfill course requirements for certification as a middle grades or secondary school science teacher in Texas. Students choose composite science certification under biology as the primary teaching field or life science certification. 

Bioscience majors interested in teaching without choosing the Teaching option degree can pursue a UTeach Certificate.

BS in Biology, Option IX: Biology Honors

This degree is open only to students participating in the College of Natural Sciences Dean’s Scholars program. 

Learn more about the Dean’s Scholars application process

BS in Biology, Option X: Computational Biology

Mathematical biology, computational biology, and bioinformatics have exploded in recent years thanks to large and increasingly complex biological data sets, advances in nonlinear dynamics, and an increasing appreciation for the utility of models and there is an urgent need for integrative education at an early stage. This new degree plan in Computational Biology is designed to give these students both a comprehensive biology curriculum and an essential foundation in mathematics, computer science, and statistics. Graduates will be highly competitive for quantitative jobs in the biotechnology industry and top-tier medical and graduate schools.

BS in Biology, Option XI: Biology

Students who complete the Biology Option: Biology degree have the opportunity to explore a wide range of areas of the biological sciences as well as their own interests in other STEM fields. In addition to Entry-Level requirements and the common Biology degree requirements of Physics, Evolution, and Biostatistics, students complete 2 courses from each of the following areas:

• Cellular, developmental, and molecular biology
• Genetics, genomics, and computational biology:
• Physiology, neurobiology, and behavior:
• Ecology, evolution, and biodiversity:
• Upper-division biology laboratory courses

Additionally, students complete 12 hours of additional upper-division coursework selected from the Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Marine Science, Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics departments. Graduates are especially well-prepared for careers in medicine, research, education, and business.

This degree option was phased out with the introduction of the 22-24 catalog. Please speak with your academic advisor about alternative options.

BS in Biology, Option XII: Genetics and Genomics

One of the department’s newest majors, students focus on genetics, genomics, molecular biology, and developmental biology with the integration of bioinformatics and computational biology. The integration of lab work in genetics and either cell biology or developmental biology helps students apply course concepts in a research setting. Students have the option to further their interests in a series of electives related to microbiology, molecular genetics, or molecular genetics and medicine. Graduates are prepared for careers in genetic counseling, medicine, and research.

Beginning with the 24-26 catalog, BS Biology: Genetics + Genomics majors also complete a capstone experience.