Biology
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Biology program at Texas A&M University–Central Texas provides quality education with a rigorous, in-depth introduction to the breadth of the biological sciences discipline. Our professional faculty guide students through a high-quality course of study that will prepare you for future success. Through core courses and a diverse selection of upper-level courses, our program will prepare you for an entry-level career in biology or admission into a graduate school or professional health program (medical, veterinary, pharmacy, physical therapy or dental). This flexible degree program provides a broad knowledge base of the biological sub-disciplines, allowing you to specialize in biotechnology, ecology and conservation biology, and organismal biology. Pre-health students can specialize in either biotechnology or organismal biology, depending on their specific interest.
Program Information
- Program Requirements
- Course Rotations
- Course Requirements, Biotechnology Concentration
- Course Requirements, Ecology/Conservation Concentration
- Course Requirements, Organismal Biology Concentration
Career Path Examples
Many opportunities and career paths are open to graduates with biology concentrations, including:
Biotechnology
Department of Agriculture • Department of Natural Resources • Medical Scientist • Medical Technologist • Pharmaceutical industry • Laboratory Technician • Biomedical Engineer • Food Scientist • Biomanufacturing Specialist • Environmental Specialist • Process Development Science • Analytical Scientist • Microbiologist • Biochemist
Ecology and Conservation Biology
Department of Agriculture • Department of Natural Resources • Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries • Occupational Safety Health and Awareness (OSHA) • Biologist • Conservation biologist • Forestry biologist • Environmental Engineer • Environmental Consultant • Research Associate • Agriculture operations/product manager
Organismal Biology
Department of Agriculture • Department of Natural Resources • Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries • Biologist • Conservation biologist • Forestry biologist • Research Associate • Agriculture operations/product manager • Medical Scientist • Pharmaceutical industry • Wildlife researcher • Environmental Scientist • Health care • Veterinary care
Talk to an Academic Advisor
Talk to an A&M–Central Texas academic advisor, online or in person, for prospective student advising, undergraduate and graduate advising, and help with a range of other issues.
Transfer Pathways:
The direct & affordable path from your community college to a Bachelor’s degree!
Whether you are attending an A&M–Central Texas partner college, have credits from another community college, or are attending another four-year university, your A&M–Central Texas enrollment specialist can help you find the quickest and most affordable path to your bachelor’s degree.
To get started, select your desired degree program and your community college, or select the A&M–Central Texas guide if your community college is not shown. Then choose an available pathway:
Laboratory Experience
Our exceptional faculty and state-of-the-art and natural laboratories and offer students the essential knowledge, skills, and experience needed for a successful and rewarding career in science.
State-of-the-Art Laboratories
Our students benefit from learning in our five teaching and two research laboratories equipped with high-quality instrumentation. We give our undergraduate students the essential workforce experience that many students only get in graduate programs. Our Instrumental and Analytical Chemistry laboratories allow students to learn to use High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer, AKTA PrimePlus System, UV-Vis Spectrometry, Fluorescence Spectrometry, Atomic absorption spectrometry, Electrochemical analyzer, Rotavapor, and a Thermal Gravimetric analyzer.
Additionally, our Cell, Proteomics, Biochemistry and Molecular biology laboratories use quantitative real time PCR, SDS PAGE gel electrophoresis, western blot, gel filtration chromatography, protein purification, protein crystallography, immunosorbent assay, and Chemidoc imaging, among others.
Natural Laboratories
For students that want to experience an outdoor laboratory, our campus sits on more than 600 acres of undeveloped land. Students learn to assess environmental factors such as soil composition, water quality, arthropod diversity, and plant diversity in our Ecology, Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology laboratory courses.
IN THE NEWS
Killeen teen sets her eyes on a Master’s degree in organismal biology
Most of us don’t start thinking about what we want to study in college until our junior year of high school. One Killeen teenager is already enrolled in a Master’s program, with two associate’s degrees and one Bachelor’s, all concentrated in the STEM field.
Customize Your Degree
At A&M-Central Texas, students can tailor their degree plan to their personalized interest and career goals. Areas of study include:
Biotechnology Concentration
The Biotechnology Concentration is for students who are interested in biology on a molecular or chemical level in such areas as biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology including students interested in pre-health (i.e. careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary, physical therapy, etc).
Ecology and Conservation Biology Concentration
The Ecology and Conservation Biology Concentration is for students who have an interest in studying the roles and interdependence that organisms have within an ecological system as well as conserving the ecosystem.
Organismal Biology Concentration
The Organismal Biology Concentration is for students who have an interest in biology on the organismal/individual level including students interested in pre-health (i.e. careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary, physical therapy, etc.).
Golden Cheeked Warbler Refuge Habitat
The Golden Cheeked Warbler has been on the endangered list since 1990. It is only found nesting in the Oak-Juniper woodlands of Central Texas. Our campus has set aside several of its almost 600 acres of land as a refuge habitat for the conservation of this endangered bird. These areas will not be developed as the university grows to maintain essential nesting sites.
Martha’s Monarchs Butterfly Refuge
The Conservation Biology students designed a refuge habitat for the Monarch butterfly whose population decline in past years is of great concern to ecologists. The construction of this area was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic but, when finished, it will provide migrating Monarchs with needed egg laying and nectar plants in an effort to conserve this species and provide an area for essential research on the causes of population decline. It will also be designated as an official Monarch Waystation through Monarch Watch. In honor of Martha Gail Minor Sherrill, we have named it “Martha’s Monarchs Butterfly Refuge”.
Program Contact
Dr. Chamindika Siriwardana
Department: Science and Mathematics
Assistant Professor of Biology
Room: Heritage Hall-302G
Meet Our Primary Faculty
Associate Professor of Biology, Department Chair
Department: Science and Mathematics
Office/Room: Heritage Hall-302H
Phone: 254.519.5723
Email: [email protected]
Associate Professor
Department: Science and Mathematics
Office/Room: Heritage Hall-302F
Phone: 254.519.8012
Assistant Professor of Biology
Department: Science and Mathematics
Office/Room: Heritage Hall-302G
Phone: 254.519.8717
Email: [email protected]
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