Bachelor of Arts, Major in Biology

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Bachelor of Arts, Major in Biology
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics)3
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) (Courses for Science Majors)8
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)3
Component Area IX (Component Area Option)4
Degree Specific Requirements
Select one of the following:3
Biostatistics
Statistical Mthods in Practice
Statistical Methds in Practice
CHEM 1411General Chemistry I4
CHEM 1412General Chemistry II4
MATH 1410Elementary Functions 14
WOLC 1411Beginning Foreign Language I4
WOLC 1412Beginning Foreign Language II (same field)4
WOLC 2311Intermediate Foreign Language 23
WOLC 2312Intermed Foreign Language II (same field) 23
Major Core
BIOL 1411General Botany 34
BIOL 1413General Zoology 34
BIOL 2110Being a Professional Biologist1
BIOL 2440Introductory Cell Biology4
BIOL 3409General Ecology4
BIOL 3450Introductory Genetics4
BIOL 3470General Microbiology4
BIOL 4110Undergraduate Seminar1
BIOL 4361Evolutionary Biology3
Major
Advanced BIOL electives (Select four 3000-4000 level courses) 414
Minor (required)
Select any minor18
Advanced General Electives
Any advanced (3000-4000 level) courses from any department needed to meet 120 hour and SHSU advanced hour requirements 56
Total Hours120

Teacher Certification in the Life Sciences

Biology Majors

Students may receive teacher certification in the Life Sciences for grades 8-12 by pairing a major in Biology (BS only as outlined above) with a Secondary Teacher Certification from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Students pursuing this degree combination should include BIOL 3492 as one of their advanced biology electives.

For students seeking a Secondary Teacher Certification in the Life Sciences, no grade below C in the science coursework in BIOL is accepted. The required education courses are:

Course Requirements
CISE 3384The Teaching Profession3
CISE 4364Mth Tch Secondary Schools3
CISE 4378Content Literacy3
CISE 4380Respon Of Pro Educator3
CISE 4394Creatng Env For Lrng-Secondary3
CISE 4396Std Tch Secondary Classroom3
CISE 4397Std Tch Secondary Classroom3
Total Hours21
First Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
BIOL 1411 or 141314BIOL 1413 or 141114Component Area V3
ENGL 130123ENGL 130223 
CHEM 14114CHEM 14124 
WOLC 14114WOLC 14124 
 15 15 3
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
BIOL 24404BIOL 21101General Elective (Advanced)3
HIST 130133BIOL 3409, 3450, or 34704 
MATH 141044HIST 130233 
WOLC 231153POLS 230563 
 WOLC 231273 
 14 14 3
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
BIOL 3409, 3450, or 34704Component Area VIII3General Elective (Advanced)3
BIOL 4374, MATH 3379, or STAT 33793BIOL 3409, 3450, or 34704 
Minor Course3Biology Elective (Advanced)83 
POLS 230663Minor Course3 
 13 13 3
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
BIOL 41101Biology Electives (Advanced)88 
BIOL 43613Minor Courses (Advanced)6 
Biology Elective (Advanced)83  
Minor Courses6  
 13 14 
Total Hours: 120

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BA in Biology is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Master the depth of knowledge required for a degree in biological sciences.
  • Demonstrate critical thinking.
  • Communicate effectively.
  • Work collaboratively.