Bachelor of Arts, Major in Biology

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

Bachelor of Arts, Major in Biology
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) (Courses for Science Majors) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 33
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 I 24
CHEM 1412General Chemistry II 24
MATH 1410Elementary Functions 14
WOLC 1411Beginning Foreign Language I4
WOLC 1412Beginning Foreign Language II (same field)4
WOLC 2311Intermediate Foreign Language 33
WOLC 2312Intermed Foreign Language II (same field) 33
Major: Foundation
BIOL 1406General Biology I4
BIOL 1407General Biology II4
BIOL 2110Being a Professional Biologist1
BIOL 2440Introductory Cell Biology4
BIOL 3450Introductory Genetics4
BIOL 4110Undergraduate Seminar1
BIOL 4361Evolutionary Biology3
Major: Prescribed Electives
BIOL Advanced Electives (3000-4000 level courses)7
Major: Concentration 436-55
Minor: Not Required 5,6
Total Hours120-139
1

Satisfies 3 hours of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics) as well as 1 hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

2

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Sciences)

3

WOLC 2311 or WOLC 2312 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) and Component Area IX. 

4

See, Concentration course listings below.

5

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours may be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

6

All minors can be paired with this degree program. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

This total reflects MATH 1410 satisfying Component Area II and one hour of Component Area IX, and CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1412 satisfying Component Area III.

Major: Concentration (Integrative Biology) 4
BIOL 3409General Ecology4
BIOL 3470General Microbiology4
Select from the following: 34-35
Plant Taxonomy
Human Biology
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Plant Physiology
General Physiology
Pathophysiology
Wildlife Biology
Developmental Biology
Histology
Plant Morphology
Field and Experiential Biology
Undergrad Rsrch Tpcs-Biology
Spcl Topics In Undergrad Bio
Philosophy Of Biology
Environmental Toxicology
Aquatic Biology
Immunology
Genetic Anlys of Human Disease
Paleobiology
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Microbial Ecology
Biostatistics
Medical Microbiology
Advanced Molecular Biology
Molecular Genetics
Physiological Ecology
Biological Sciences Internship
General Entomology
Vertebrate Natural History
Parasitology
Animal Behavior
Invertebrate Zoology
Molecular Genetics
Cell Biology
Endocrinology
Organic Chemistry II: Lecture
Total Hours42-43
Major: Concentration (Cell and Molecular) 4
BIOL 3470General Microbiology4
BIOL 4480Molecular Genetics4
or BIOL 4490 Cell Biology
CHEM 2123Organic Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 2125Organic Chemistry II: Lab1
CHEM 2323Organic Chemistry I: Lecture3
CHEM 2325Organic Chemistry II: Lecture3
CHEM 3339Biochemistry II3
CHEM 3438Biochemistry I4
Select six courses from the following (3 must be 4-credit courses):21
Pathophysiology
Developmental Biology
Histology
Undergrad Rsrch Tpcs-Biology
Spcl Topics In Undergrad Bio
Immunology
Genetic Anlys of Human Disease
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Medical Microbiology
Advanced Molecular Biology
Biological Sciences Internship
Parasitology
Molecular Genetics
Cell Biology
Physiological Ecology
Endocrinology
Select two from the following: 6-8
Plant Taxonomy
General Ecology
Human Biology
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Plant Physiology
General Physiology
Wildlife Biology
Plant Morphology
Field and Experiential Biology
Philosophy Of Biology
Environmental Toxicology
Aquatic Biology
Paleobiology
Microbial Ecology
Biostatistics
General Entomology
Vertebrate Natural History
Animal Behavior
Invertebrate Zoology
Total Hours:50-55
Major: Concentration (Environmental, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology) 4
BIOL 3409General Ecology4
Select eight from the following (5 must be 4-credit hour courses):32
Plant Taxonomy
Human Biology
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Plant Physiology
Wildlife Biology
Plant Morphology
Field and Experiential Biology
Undergrad Rsrch Tpcs-Biology
Spcl Topics In Undergrad Bio
Philosophy Of Biology
Environmental Toxicology
Aquatic Biology
Paleobiology
Microbial Ecology
Advanced Molecular Biology
Biological Sciences Internship
General Entomology
Vertebrate Natural History
Animal Behavior
Invertebrate Zoology
Parasitology
Physiological Ecology
Select one from the following:3-4
General Physiology
Pathophysiology
General Microbiology
Developmental Biology
Histology
Immunology
Genetic Anlys of Human Disease
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Biostatistics
Medical Microbiology
Molecular Genetics
Cell Biology
Endocrinology
Total Hours:36-40
Major: Concentration (Forensic Biology) 4
BIOL 2441Forensic Biology Concepts4
BIOL 3470General Microbiology4
BIOL 4380Medical Microbiology3
BIOL 4381Advanced Molecular Biology3
BIOL 4480Molecular Genetics4
BIOL 4410General Entomology4
CHEM 2123Organic Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 2125Organic Chemistry II: Lab1
CHEM 2323Organic Chemistry I: Lecture3
CHEM 2325Organic Chemistry II: Lecture3
CHEM 3438Biochemistry I4
FORS 3366Forensic Science3
FORS 4317Applied Statistics for Forensic Science3
FORS 4320Fundamentals of Forensic Bio3
FORS 4380Ethics & Prof Practice3
Select one from the following:3-4
Human Biology
Undergrad Rsrch Tpcs-Biology
Spcl Topics In Undergrad Bio
Medical Microbiology
Physiological Ecology
Cell Biology
Biochemistry II
Select two from the following:6-8
Plant Taxonomy
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Plant Physiology
General Physiology
Pathophysiology
Wildlife Biology
Developmental Biology
Histology
Plant Morphology
Field and Experiential Biology
Philosophy Of Biology
Environmental Toxicology
Aquatic Biology
Immunology
Genetic Anlys of Human Disease
Paleobiology
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Microbial Ecology
Biostatistics
Biological Sciences Internship
Vertebrate Natural History
Parasitology
Animal Behavior
Invertebrate Zoology
Endocrinology
Total Hours:51-54

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.  

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 1406 or 14074BIOL 1407 or 14064
CHEM 141114CHEM 141214
ENGL 130123ENGL 130223
MATH 141034 
 15 11
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 24404Component Area V3
BIOL 34094Component Area IX3
BIOL 4374, MATH 3379, or STAT 33793BIOL 21101
HIST 130143BIOL 34504
WOLC 1411
WOLC 1412
8HIST 130243
 POLS 230553
 22 17
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Concentration 64-12Component Area VIII3
BIOL 43613BIOL 41101
POLS 230653Concentration63-8
 WOLC 2311
WOLC 23127
6
 10-18 13-18
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 34704Concentration612-15
BIOL Prescribed Electives3BIOL Prescribed Electives4
Concentration69-12 
 16-19 16-19
Total Hours: 120-139
1

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Sciences).

2

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

3

Satisfies 3 hours of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics) and 1 hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

4

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

5

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government). 

6

See, Concentration course listings below. 

7

WOLC 2311 or WOLC 2312 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) and Component Area IX. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

This total reflects MATH 1410 satisfying Component Area II and one hour of Component Area IX, and CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1412 satisfying Component Area III. 

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours may be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.

All minors can be paired with this degree program.

Major: Concentration (Integrative Biology) 6
BIOL 3409General Ecology4
BIOL 3470General Microbiology4
Select from the following: 34-35
General Physiology
Plant Taxonomy
Human Biology
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Plant Physiology
General Physiology
Pathophysiology
Wildlife Biology
Developmental Biology
Histology
Plant Morphology
Field and Experiential Biology
Undergrad Rsrch Tpcs-Biology
Spcl Topics In Undergrad Bio
Environmental Toxicology
Aquatic Biology
Genetic Anlys of Human Disease
Paleobiology
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Microbial Ecology
Biostatistics
Medical Microbiology
Biological Sciences Internship
General Entomology
Vertebrate Natural History
Parasitology
Animal Behavior
Molecular Genetics
Cell Biology
Endocrinology
Organic Chemistry II: Lecture
Total Hours:42-43
Major: Concentration (Cell and Molecular) 6
BIOL 3470General Microbiology4
BIOL 4480Molecular Genetics4
or BIOL 4490 Cell Biology
CHEM 2123Organic Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 2125Organic Chemistry II: Lab1
CHEM 2323Organic Chemistry I: Lecture3
CHEM 2325Organic Chemistry II: Lecture3
CHEM 3339Biochemistry II3
CHEM 3438Biochemistry I4
Select 6 courses from the following (3 must be 4-credit hour courses):21
Pathophysiology
Developmental Biology
Histology
Undergrad Rsrch Tpcs-Biology
Spcl Topics In Undergrad Bio
Immunology
Genetic Anlys of Human Disease
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Medical Microbiology
Biological Sciences Internship
Parasitology
Molecular Genetics
Cell Biology
Endocrinology
Select two from the following:6-8
Plant Taxonomy
General Ecology
Human Biology
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Plant Physiology
General Physiology
Wildlife Biology
Plant Morphology
Field and Experiential Biology
Philosophy Of Biology
Environmental Toxicology
Aquatic Biology
Paleobiology
Microbial Ecology
Biostatistics
General Entomology
Vertebrate Natural History
Animal Behavior
Invertebrate Zoology
Total Hours:50-55
Major: Concentration (Environmental, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology) 6
BIOL 3409General Ecology4
Select eight from the following (5 must be 4-credit hour courses):32
Plant Taxonomy
Human Biology
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Plant Physiology
Wildlife Biology
Plant Morphology
Field and Experiential Biology
Undergrad Rsrch Tpcs-Biology
Spcl Topics In Undergrad Bio
Environmental Toxicology
Aquatic Biology
Paleobiology
Microbial Ecology
Biological Sciences Internship
General Entomology
Vertebrate Natural History
Animal Behavior
Parasitology
Invertebrate Zoology
Select two from the following:6-8
General Physiology
Pathophysiology
General Microbiology
Developmental Biology
Histology
Immunology
Genetic Anlys of Human Disease
Biostatistics
Medical Microbiology
Molecular Genetics
Cell Biology
Endocrinology
Total Hours:36-40
Major: Concentration (Forensic Biology) 6
BIOL 2441Forensic Biology Concepts4
BIOL 3470General Microbiology4
BIOL 4380Medical Microbiology3
BIOL 4410General Entomology4
CHEM 2123Organic Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 2125Organic Chemistry II: Lab1
CHEM 2323Organic Chemistry I: Lecture3
CHEM 2325Organic Chemistry II: Lecture3
CHEM 3438Biochemistry I4
FORS 3366Forensic Science3
FORS 4317Applied Statistics for Forensic Science3
FORS 4320Fundamentals of Forensic Bio3
FORS 4380Ethics & Prof Practice3
Select one from the following:3-4
Human Biology
Undergrad Rsrch Tpcs-Biology
Spcl Topics In Undergrad Bio
Molecular Genetics
Cell Biology
Biochemistry II
Select two from the following:6-8
Plant Taxonomy
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Plant Physiology
General Physiology
Pathophysiology
Wildlife Biology
Developmental Biology
Histology
Plant Morphology
Field and Experiential Biology
Philosophy Of Biology
Environmental Toxicology
Aquatic Biology
Immunology
Genetic Anlys of Human Disease
Paleobiology
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Microbial Ecology
Biostatistics
Biological Sciences Internship
Vertebrate Natural History
Parasitology
Animal Behavior
Invertebrate Zoology
Endocrinology
Total Hours:51-54

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.