Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology

This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Bachelor of Science, 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
CHEM 1411General Chemistry I4
CHEM 1412General Chemistry II4
CHEM 2323
CHEM 2123
Organic Chemistry I: Lecture
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
4
MATH 1420Calculus I4
Select one of the following:3-4
Calculus II
Statistical Mthods in Practice
Statistical Methds in Practice
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101
General Phy-Mechanics & Heat
and General Physics Laboratory I
4
PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102
Gen Phy-Snd,Lght, Elec, & Mag
and General Physics Laboratory II
4
Major Core
BIOL 1411General Botany4
BIOL 1413General Zoology4
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
BIOL advanced electives (Select five 3000-4000 level courses) 115-20
Minor (required)
Recommended minor is CHEM or MATH 210
Advanced General Electives
Any advanced 3000-4000 level courses from any department needed to meet 120 hour and SHSU advanced hour requirements 3, 49
Total Hours120-126

Note: This total reflects MATH 1420 satisfying Component Area II and one hour of Component Area IX, and BIOL 1411 and BIOL 1413 satisfying Component Area III.

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 141314Component Area IV 3Component Area V3
CHEM 14114BIOL 1411 or 141314 
ENGL 130123CHEM 14124 
MATH 142034ENGL 130223 
 15 14 3
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
BIOL 24404Component Area IX3General Electives (advanced)4
CHEM 2323
CHEM 2123
4BIOL 21101 
HIST 130143BIOL 3409, 3450, or 34704 
MATH 1430, 3379, or STAT 33793-4HIST 130243 
 POLS 230553 
 14-15 14 4
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
BIOL 3409, 3450, or 34704Component Area VIII3 
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101
4BIOL 3409, 3450, or 34704 
POLS 230653Biology Elective (advanced)4 
Minor Course4PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102
4 
 15 15 
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
BIOL 41101Biology Electives (advanced)3-8 
BIOL 43613General Electives (advanced)5 
Biology Electives (advanced)8Minor Course (advanced)3 
Minor Course (advanced)3  
 15 11-16 
Total Hours: 120-126

Note: This total reflects MATH 1420 satisfying Component Area II and one hour of Component Area IX, and BIOL 1411 and BIOL 1413 satisfying Component Area III.

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

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