Biology
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Purpose of Biology Program
The biology program provides diverse training for careers in the biological sciences. The biology curriculum includes content courses required for (1) teacher certification in life science, (2) acceptance to post-graduate studies and (3) pre-professional studies in preparation for admission to professional Sem. Hrs.ools.

Students will acquire content and skills to enter a variety of biology-related careers such as research, marine biology, wildlife and coastal management, environmental protection, laboratory technician, biotechnology industry, medical or environmental microbiology, technical writer, pharmaceutical sales, careers in the medical, dental and allied health fields and science education.

Field and laboratory courses emphasize the development of practical skills in using special materials and equipment. Focus is on enhancement of critical thinking skills, which will prepare the student for careers in the biological sciences as well as in other general areas of employment.

Requirements of the Undergraduate Biology Program:
The requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree are a minimum of 123-126 semester hours. Forty-eight are designated University core curriculum courses, two are University First-Year Seminars, 28-31 are biology core courses and 45 are biology career track courses. Students select one of eight biology career track areas of 45 semester hours each: (A) Ecology, (B) Marine Biology, (C) Cell/Molecular Biology, (D) Microbiology, (E) Animal Biology, (F) Plant Biology, (G) Integrative Biology and (H) General Biology. The student should select a biology career track after completion of a minimum of 35 semester hours of university course work and no later than the completion of 50 semester hours. Students are strongly encouraged to take mathematics through Calculus I.

IV. Biology Tracks
Each of the tracks is designed to provide the student with specific background in a certain area of biology. The general biology and integrative biology tracks provide a broad background in the biological sciences.

Any of the tracks will prepare a student for careers in basic academic, governmental, or private sector research or consulting. Although some careers require only the B.S. degree, most require additional graduate training. Students should consult their faculty mentors to determine which track is most suitable for their career choice.

Each track consists of a core of required courses, with remaining hours selected from a list of electives, to total 45 hours of biology course work per track. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their faculty mentor when choosing the electives.

A. Ecology Track
This track focuses on the interaction of organisms with each other and with the physical environment (especially in terrestrial ecosystems). Students choosing this track will be preparing for careers in agriculture, environmental protection and conservation, natural resource management, habitat restoration, field ecology, outdoor recreation and public education.

I. Ecology Core Courses (24 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 2472 Principles of Botany
BIOL 3413 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 3414 Vertebrate Biology
BIOL 3428 Principles of Ecology
BIOL 4408 Microbial Diversity and Ecology
BIOL 4422 Plant Taxonomy

II. Ecology Electives (Choose 21 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 2371, BIOL 3300, BIOL 3425, BIOL 3430, BIOL 3455, BIOL 3479, BIOL 4350, BIOL 4405, BIOL 4407, BIOL 4409, BIOL 4411, BIOL 4413, BIOL 4425, BIOL 4428, BIOL 4431, BIOL 4432, BIOL 4433, BIOL 4436, BIOL 4442, BIOL 4444, BIOL 4471, CHEM 4443, Selected Topics (BIOL 4590) with faculty mentor’s approval, up to eight (8) semester hours of unlisted electives approved by faculty mentor.

B. Marine Biology Track
This track focuses on organisms in marine and coastal systems. Students choosing this track will be preparing for careers in fisheries and aquaculture, coastal/marine management and conservation, outdoor recreation, aquatic science, marine zoology and marine animal care.

I. Marine Biology Core Courses (28 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 3413 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 3414 Vertebrate Biology
BIOL 3428 Principles of Ecology
BIOL 4429 Marine Botany
BIOL 4432 Ichthyology
BIOL 4436 Marine Ecology
BIOL 4444 Estuarine Organisms

II. Marine Biology Electives (Choose 17 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 2371, BIOL 2472, BIOL 3425, BIOL 3430, BIOL 3455, BIOL 3479, BIOL 4319, BIOL 4350, BIOL 4370, BIOL 4405, BIOL 4407, BIOL 4408, BIOL 4409, BIOL 4411, BIOL 4425, BIOL 4428, BIOL 4431, BIOL 4433, BIOL 4442, CHEM 4344, ESCI 3351(prerequisite: GEOL 1403 or consent of instructor), ESCI 4201, Selected Topics (BIOL 4590) with faculty mentor’s approval, up to eight (8) semester hours of unlisted electives approved by faculty mentor.

C. Cell/Molecular Biology Track
This track focuses on the chemical, cellular, and tissue levels of biological organization. Students choosing this track will be preparing for careers in biotechnology, bioinformatics, hospital and research laboratory positions, industrial quality control, health care professions, and health-related sales.

I. Cell/Molecular Biology Core Courses (22 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 3345 Cell Physiology
BIOL 3403 Molecular Biology
BIOL 3410 Cell Biology
BIOL 4340 Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics
CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I
CHEM 4402 Biochemistry II

II. Cell/Molecular Biology Electives (Choose 23 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 2371, BIOL 2472, BIOL 3430, BIOL 3455, BIOL 4301, BIOL 4304, BIOL 4350, BIOL 4406, BIOL 4407, BIOL 4408, BIOL 4433, BIOL 4435, BIMS 3401, BIMS 4323, BIMS 4327, BIMS 4330, BIMS 4334, BIMS 4335, BIMS 4374, BIMS 4410, BIOL 4471, PHYS 1401 or PHYS 2425, PHYS 1402 or PHYS 2426, Selected Topics (BIOL 4590) with faculty mentor’s approval, up to eight (8) semester hours of unlisted electives approved by faculty mentor.

D. Microbiology Track
This track focuses on bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. Many of these organisms are important to industry, agriculture and health care. Students choosing this track will be preparing for careers in industrial, environmental, medical, public health, and agricultural laboratories, industrial quality control, health care professions, research, biotechnology, and microbiology-related sales.

I. Microbiology Core Courses (23 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 3403 Molecular Biology
BIOL 4406 Immunology
BIOL 4408 Microbial Diversity and Ecology
BIMS 4374 Medical Microbiology
CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I
CHEM 4402 Biochemistry II

II. Microbiology Electives (Choose 22 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 2371, BIOL 3345, BIOL 3410, BIOL 4304, BIOL 4340, BIOL 4350, BIOL 4407, BIOL 4429, BIOL 4433, BIOL 4435, BIMS 3401, BIMS 4370, BIMS 4378, HLSC 3310, PHYS 1401 or PHYS 2425, PHYS 1402 or PHYS 2426, Selected Topics (BIOL 4590) with faculty mentor’s approval, up to eight (8) semester hours of unlisted electives approved by faculty mentor.

E. Animal Biology Track
This track focuses on the natural history, ecology, structure and function of animals. Students choosing this track will be preparing for careers in wildlife management, conservation and protection, animal care, zoology, animal systematics, curation, agriculture, and outdoor recreation.

I. Animal Biology Core Courses (19 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 2371 Principles of Evolution
BIOL 3413 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 3414 Vertebrate Biology
BIOL 3425 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
or BIOL 3430 Physiology
BIOL 3428 Principles of Ecology

II. Animal Biology Electives (Choose 26 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 3300, BIOL 3403, BIOL 3410, BIOL 3425 if not counted as core, BIOL 3430 if not counted as core, BIOL 4301, BIOL 4319, BIOL 4350, BIOL 4409, BIOL 4411, BIOL 4413, BIOL 4425, BIOL 4428, BIOL 4431, BIOL 4432, BIOL 4433, BIOL 4435, BIOL 4442, BIOL 4444, BIOL 4471, Selected Topics (BIOL 4590) with faculty mentor’s approval, up to eight (8) semester hours of unlisted electives approved by faculty mentor.

F. Plant Biology Track
This track focuses on the natural history, ecology, structure and function of plants. Students choosing this track will be preparing for careers in horticulture, plant health, plant resources, plant systematics, biotechnology, curation, forestry, agriculture, habitat restoration and education.

I. Plant Biology Core Courses (19 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 2371 Principles of Evolution
BIOL 2472 Principles of Botany
BIOL 3455 Plant Form and Function
BIOL 3479 Plant Ecology
BIOL 4422 Plant Taxonomy

II. Plant Biology Electives (Choose 26 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 3345, BIOL 3403, BIOL 3410, BIOL 4326, BIOL 4350, BIOL 4405, BIOL 4407, BIOL 4408, BIOL 4409, BIOL 4429, BIOL 4435, Selected Topics (BIOL 4590) with faculty mentor’s approval, up to eight (8) semester hours of unlisted electives approved by faculty mentor.

G. Integrative Biology Track
This track emphasizes the integration of physical factors, cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems in producing functional organisms. Students choosing this track will be preparing for careers in health care, government or academic research, agriculture or biology sales.

I. Integrative Biology Core Courses (15 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 2371 Principles of Evolution
BIOL 3410 Cell Biology
BIOL 3425 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
or BIOL 3430 Physiology
or BIOL 3455 Plant Form and Function
BIOL 3428 Principles of Ecology
or BIOL 3479 Plant Ecology

II. Integrative Biology Electives (Choose 30 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 3300, BIOL 3345, BIOL 3403, BIOL 3425 if not counted as core, BIOL 3428 if not counted as core, BIOL 3430 if not counted as core, BIOL 3455 if not counted as core, BIOL 3479 if not counted as core, BIOL 4301, BIOL 4340, BIOL 4350, BIOL 4406, BIOL 4407, BIOL 4409, BIOL 4411, BIOL 4433, BIOL 4435, BIMS 3401, BIMS 4323, BIMS 4327, BIMS 4335, BIMS 4410, CHEM 4401, CHEM 4402, PHYS 1401 or PHYS 2425, PHYS 1402 or PHYS 2426, Selected Topics (BIOL 4590) with faculty mentor’s approval, up to eight (8) semester hours of unlisted electives approved by faculty mentor.

H. General Biology Track
This track is designed to provide students with broad-based knowledge in all major areas of biology. Students choosing this track will be preparing for careers in teaching, scientific writing, technical advising, science law, public education, or biology sales.

I. General Biology Core Courses (31-35 Sem. Hrs.):
BIOL 2371 Principles of Evolution
BIOL 2401 & BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology I & II
or BIOL 3425 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
or BIOL 3430 Physiology
or BIOL 3455 Plant Form and Function
BIOL 2472 Principles of Botany
BIOL 3403 Molecular Biology
or CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I
BIOL 3410 Cell Biology
BIOL 3413 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 3414 Vertebrate Biology
BIOL 3428 Principles of Ecology

II. General Biology Electives (Choose 10-14 Sem. Hrs.):
Any upper-division biology (BIOL) courses for which the appropriate prerequisites have been taken, CHEM 4401 if not counted as core, CHEM 4402, PHYS 1401 or PHYS 2425, PHYS 1402 or PHYS 2426, Selected Topics (BIOL 4590) with faculty mentor’s approval, up to eight (8) semester hours of unlisted electives approved by faculty mentor.

BIOLOGY MINOR (20 semester hours)
Students majoring in other academic fields wishing to earn a minor in biology must complete the following requirements.

Alternative Junior/senior biology courses may be used to satisfy the minor with prior approval of the biology program coordinator. Biology courses for non-science majors cannot be used to fulfill the biology minor. At least six hours must be upper-level courses.

Preparation for a career in bioinformatics can be obtained through a degree plan offered by the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences. The details of this Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Biology can be found in the Computer Science section of this catalog.

LIFE SCIENCE EDUCATION
Information on the life science education curriculum and requirements for teaching certification can be found in the College of Science and Technology Science, Mathematics and Technology Education section of the catalog.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Biology Program, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5800. Phone: (361) 825-2754. Website.

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES