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.
Talk to an A&M-Central Texas academic advisor, online or in person, for prospective student advising, undergraduate advising, and help with a range of other issues.
Schedule an advising session
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.
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.).
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
Transfer Pathways:
The direct & affordable path from your community college to a Biology Bachelor's degree!
A&M-Central Texas offers customized transfer pathways leading to the Biology BS degree for students at these colleges. Don't see your college or degree program? Contact us, and we'll create one for you specifically!
- If you are planning to start your study at an A&M-Central Texas partner college, our Transfer Pathways help you identify the specific courses you will need in each semester, from freshman through graduation!
- If you are already attending an A&M-Central Texas partner college, Transfer Pathways show you the quickest path to a bachelor's degree, with no extra classroom time and no wasted credit hours.
- If you attend or plan to attend another college, A&M-Central Texas will create a customized pathway just for you, and update it with you each semester as you move toward your degree!
- Or use one of our transfer guides, which lead you to a degree by showing typical freshman and sophmore classes:
- Contact us: We're here to help you graduate on time and with less student debt.
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
Program Contact
Dr. Laura Weiser Erlandson
Associate Professor of Biology
Phone: 254-519-5723
Email: Laura.erlandson@tamuct.edu
See what's possible at A&M-Central Texas: You'll have dedicated admission, financial aid and academic advisors to help you meet your degree goals. Learn more now!
