Academics Programs

Texas Southern University » Academics » Science & Technology - TSU » Departments Information » Dept Biology » Academics Programs

The Biology Program

As one of the largest instructional units in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Biology offers courses in Biology (BIOL), the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Biology, the Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Biology, and a minor in Biology for students pursuing majors in other departments where the declaration of a minor is required. In addition, the Department of Biology serves as the academic unit overseeing Texas Southern University’s Pre-Nursing Program, which is a non-degreed program designed to prepare students for admission into a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Nursing degree program. The teaching facilities, research facilities, and faculty members for the Department are housed on the second and third floors of TSU Science Center with the Department Office located in Room 203.

Students interested in pursuing the Master of Science in Biology should consult the Graduate School Bulletin of Texas Southern University for further information.In pursuing the B.S. in Biology, students may select from the Comprehensive or the Pre-Health Professional curricula.

The Biology undergraduate curriculum at Texas Southern University is designed to provide a comprehensive general education in the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences and a strong foundation in the principles of modern biology. Interested students must first gain admission to the University, must satisfy ASSET requirements, and remove deficiencies identified at the time of admission through the General University Academic Center (GUAC). Shortly after arriving at Texas Southern University, all students interesting in pursuing a degree in Biology will be assigned a pre-major advisor, who will assist in planning the program of study and helping them to achieve their career goals. Biology pre-majors may petition the department to declare their major as Biology upon the successful completion of Biology 111, 112, 131 and 132 with a cumulative GPA of 2.75. All Biology majors will be required to maintain a GPA of 2.75 with respect to courses in the following cognate areas: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. If a student’s overall GPA falls below 2.75 for two consecutive semesters the student will be removed from the list of designated majors and minors in Biology. Once admitted, students are each assigned an official faculty advisor who must approve their individual schedules of courses for each semester or term of enrollment. All majors should request that the Faculty Chair or the Departmental Appointee evaluate their transcripts at the beginning of their senior year to verify eligibility for degree conferral at the end of that year. Grades of "C" or better, where grades of "C-" are unacceptable, must be earned in all courses needed to satisfy the major. The passage of an exit examination is also required of graduating seniors.Individuals interested in seeking certification for teaching in the public schools of Texas in Biology should contact the Teacher Certification Officer in the College of Education at Texas Southern University for application instructions.For the minor in Biology, 21 semester credit hours are required

through enrollment in the following courses: BIOL 131 (3 credits), BIOL 132 (3 credits), BIOL 231 Cell Biology (3 credits), BIOL 232 Developmental (3 credits), and 9 additional 300-level or 400-level BIOL credits. Although students are required to take BIOL 111 (1 credit) and BIOL 112 (1 credit) as co-requisites with BIOL 131 and BIOL 132, respectively, these 2 credits are not counted toward the completion of the minor in Biology. In conjunction with these 21 credits, at least one year of college chemistry must be completed along with Mathematics 133 and 134. Grades of "C" or better, where grades of "C-" are unacceptable, must be earned in all courses needed to satisfy the minor.
The curriculum at Texas Southern University is designed so that students receive a broad exposure to important biological concepts in the core courses taken during the first two years. Students "must" complete these required core courses prior to registering for Biology courses within the Comprehensive or Pre-Health Professional curricula (see the Required Core Courses). This will allow students to gain the experience and perspective to make sound career decisions for advanced study during their junior and senior years. All Biology majors are required to pass an exit examination prior to conferral of their degree. It is recommended that all Biology majors enroll to take the exit examination in the spring semester of the junior year. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Department Office at (713)-313-7005. The Comprehensive curriculum is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce or for additional study at the graduate level, while the Pre-Health Professional curriculum is intended to prepare students for professional schools (Medical, Dental, Veterinary, Optometry, Physical Therapy and etc.) upon graduation.

Students should contact professional schools directly to ascertain specific admission requirements. The specific requirements for the B.S. in Biology are described, in detail, below. All students majoring in Biology must declare and complete a minor in a second academic discipline if they are first-time degree seekers. Grades of "C" or better, where grades of "C-" are unacceptable, must be earned in all courses needed to satisfy the major.Students should seek detailed advisement from their designated advisors when selecting a minor because the selection of a minor could impact the total number of credits required for graduation. In no case will a student majoring Biology qualify for graduation at the undergraduate level without satisfactorily completing a minimum of 129 semester credit hours.