Nov 21, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Biological Science, B.A.

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The plan in Biological Science leads to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. This plan is designed to prepare students for advanced study, technical positions in environmental or biomedical research or teaching.

The B.A. in Biological Sciences is designed primarily for students interested in teaching biology at the middle or high school level.

Biological Science B.A. Degree Requirements

This degree requires 120 hours and includes 42 hours of University Core. However, some of the major requirements courses listed below also satisfy University Core. If other courses are taken to satisfy University Core, the major requirements below are still necessary for graduation and substitutions are not accepted.

University Core Requirements (42 hours)

Communication (6 hours)

Choose TWO courses from the UHCL core approved list.

Mathematics (3 hours)

MATH 1314 - College Algebra Credit Hours: 3

Life and Physical Sciences (6 hours)

CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit Hours: 3

Language, Philosophy and Culture (3 hours)

Choose ONE course from the UHCL core approved list.

Creative Arts (3 hours)

Choose ONE course from the UHCL core approved list.

American History (6 hours)

Choose TWO courses from the UHCL core approved list.

Government/Political Science (6 hours)

Choose TWO courses from the UHCL core approved list.

Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 hours)

Choose ONE course from the UHCL core approved list.

Component Area Option (6 hours)

CHEM 1111 - Laboratory for General Chemistry I Credit Hours: 1
CHEM 1112 - Laboratory for General Chemistry II Credit Hours: 1
COMM 1315 - Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 1100 - Learning Frameworks Credit Hours: 1

Major and Elective Requirements (78 hours)

The course of study for the B.A. in Biological Sciences requires 42 hours of University core courses, plus 78 hours of major and elective requirements in the sciences.

Major Courses

Students must complete the following core courses with grades of “C” or better.

BIOL 1306 - Biology for Science Majors I Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 1106 - Laboratory for Biology for Science Majors I Credit Hours: 1
BIOL 1307 - Biology for Science Majors II Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 1107 - Laboratory for Biology for Science Majors II Credit Hours: 1
CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3
CHEM 1111 - Laboratory for General Chemistry I Credit Hours: 1
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit Hours: 3
CHEM 1112 - Laboratory for General Chemistry II Credit Hours: 1
CHEM 2323 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3
CHEM 2123 - Laboratory for Organic Chemistry I Credit Hours: 1
MATH 1314 - College Algebra Credit Hours: 3

Environment Major Courses

Choose one from the list.

BIOL 3333 - Environmental Biology Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 3311 - Marine Biology Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 4305 - Ecology of the Amazon Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

Required minimum grade for Major Requirements is “C” unless otherwise noted. Grades of “C-” and below are not accepted.

Population Major Courses

Choose one from the list.

BIOL 4311 - Ecology Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 3335 - Epidemiology Credit Hours: 3

Anatomy and Lab

Select one of the following groups:

Physiology

Choose one from the list.

BIOL 4344 - Comparative Animal Physiology Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 4345 - Human Physiology Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 4343 - Plant Physiology Credit Hours: 3

Microbiology and Lab

BIOL 2321 - Microbiology for Science Majors Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 2121 - Laboratory for Microbiology for Science Majors Credit Hours: 1

Cellular Biology

Choose one from the list.

BIOL 3307 - Cell Biology Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 4341 - Biochemistry I Credit Hours: 3

Genetics and Lab

BIOL 3341 - Molecular Genetics Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 3141 - Laboratory for Molecular Genetics Credit Hours: 1

Required Support Courses (grades of C- allowed)

STAT 3308 - Computational Statistics Credit Hours: 3
WRIT 3315 - Advanced Technical Writing Credit Hours: 3

Major Elective Requirements (29 hours)

In addition to the required core courses, students in the Biological Science, B.A. must complete an additional 36 hours of designated elective courses. These courses may be selected from the list below or other courses from lists above; exceptions must be approved by program chair. These courses must be completed with grades of “C-” or better.

Specialization Courses

BIOL 3306 - Development of the Sciences Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 4315 - Biology Practicum Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 4334 - Environmental Microbiology Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 4323 - Field Biology Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 4327 - Plant Identification Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 4189 - Independent Study in Biology Credit Hours: 1
BIOL 4289 - Independent Study in Biology Credit Hours: 2
BIOL 4389 - Independent Study in Biology Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 4391 - Selected Topics in the Biological Sciences Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

In addition to the courses listed, any BIOL 3xxx or 4xxx course will fulfill this requirement.

Biological Science, B.A.

University Core Requirements (42 hours)

Communication (6 hours)

Mathematics (3 hours)

Life and Physical Sciences (6 hours)

Language, Philosophy and Culture (3 hours)

Creative Arts (3 hours)

American History (6 hours)

Government/Political Science (6 hours)

Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 hours)

Component Area Option (6 hours)

Major and Elective Requirements (78 hours)

Major Courses

Environment Major Courses

Additional Information

Population Major Courses

Anatomy and Lab

Group 1:

Group 2:

Group 3:

Group 4:

Physiology

Microbiology and Lab

Cellular Biology

Genetics and Lab

Required Support Courses (grades of C- allowed)

Major Elective Requirements (29 hours)

Specialization Courses

Additional Information