Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog

• Academic Calendar
• Board of Regents
  & System Adminstrative
  Officers
• TAMU Administrative
  Officers
• General Information
• International Programs
  for Students
• University Honors Program
• Environmental Program
• College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
• College of Architecture
• Mays Business School
• College of Education and Human Development
• Dwight Look College of Engineering
• College of Geosciences
• College of Liberal Arts
• College of Science
• College of Veterinary Medicine
• General Academic Programs
• School of Military Sciences
• Texas A&M University at Galveston
• Graduate Studies
• Course Descriptions
• Faculty
• Appendices

College of Science

Curricula in Biology

Requirements for all Baccalaureate Degrees in the Department of Biology

Each student seeking a baccalaureate degree in the Department of Biology is required to master a common body of knowledge in science. In addition, the student must take courses essential to a liberal education. Students will note that the first two years of all curricula offered by the Department of Biology are similar. Notes that explain the superscripts are located after the B.S. curriculum in Zoology. Electives must include the 6 hours of international and cultural diversity courses required for graduation. Students must also take at least one writing-intensive course in biology. Other requirements for graduation are listed in the Texas A&M University Student Rules and this catalog.

Students in the Department of Biology must make a grade of C or better in BIOL 111 and 112. Additionally, students may have only one D in courses within the major used to satisfy required or directed electives for a given degree plan.

Human Biology Track. This track is for students interested in pursuing professional schools including medical, dental and allied health programs (e.g., nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy and physician assistant). The focus of the science courses on human biology will better prepare these students for their chosen fields. Suggested courses include:

Social and Behavioral Sciences:	PSYC 107 and PSYC 306 or SOCI 205 and SOCI 425
Humanities:	CLAS 215; PHIL 480
Biology Electives:	MICR 454, 456; ZOOL 318, 319, 320, 343, 344, 388
Free Electives:	HLTH 335; PLAN 370; and any course listed above
International and Cultural Diversity:	HLTH 236; 334

Education Track. This track is for students wishing to acquire state certification to teach at the secondary level upon graduation. Students should seek advice from the advisors within their department and from the College of Education and Human Development, as well as from the advisor in charge of their teaching option. The intention is to make the best possible use of social science, humanity, free and directed electives, thereby condensing as many of the certification requirements as possible into the degree plan. Suggested courses include:

Social and Behavioral Sciences:	SOCI 317
Humanities:	ENGL 361 and any other English literature course
Communication:	ENGL 210 or 301
Biology Electives:	BIOL 466; additional BOTN elective; ZOOL 335, 318
Free Electives:	EDTC 305, 345; INST 301; COMM 203; TEED 323, 406

Marine Biology Track. This track is for students requiring a more rigorous and in-depth foundation in biological courses that apply to marine environments and ecosystems. This degree plan is ideal for students who intend to pursue graduate studies in marine biology or serve as field biologists at national seashores or sanctuaries. A minimum of twenty hours is required to fulfill this requirement, to be chosen from the following:

Biology Electives:	BIOL 440; ZOOL 335 and at least three hours of related research or field experience 484, 485 or 491 (or any combination)
Free Electives:	OCNG 251, 401 or 420; WFSC 311, 425

Ecology/Environmental Track. This track is particularly designed for students interested in environmental consulting, environmental protection and ecosystem evaluation. This degree plan can be adapted to focus on particular areas or populations within an ecosystem. A minimum of 18 hours is required to fulfill this requirement, to be chosen from the following:

Communication:	ENGL 210 or 301
Biology Electives:	BIOL 440; MEPS 313/315 or ZOOL 335
Free Electives:	CHEM 315/318; ENTO 201; PLPA 301/303 or WFSC 311, 401 or 402

Quantitative Biology Track. This track is for students interested in applying quantitative approaches, including mathematical, statistical, and computational techniques, to fundamental problems in biology. Because courses for this track are still being developed in conjunction with the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics, students should check with their advisor for new quantitative biology courses:

Mathematics:	MATH 171; MATH 172
Electives:	BIOL 289; MATH 308