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 sessionLaboratory 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
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.
"My experience as a student in the Biology program is unforgettable. The program offers hands-on activity in both a laboratory and field setting, which prepared me for multiple opportunities in the field of ecology. I was able to conduct two research projects and present my findings at multiple conferences. These experiences of data collection, analysis, presentation, and networking are a highlight of my journey. Working outdoors has always been a passion of mine, and the outdoor setting the campus offers allowed exactly that. These experiences have prepared me well for my job as a Field Biologist at Fort Hood Natural Resources."
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!
