Student examining a specimen in a microscope

BA or BS in Biology

Department of Biology and Geology

Bachelor of Arts in Biology

Dr. Andy Dyer, Faculty Contact

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology is an interdisciplinary program that allows students to combine their biology degree with a minor in another academic discipline outside the College of Sciences or to complete a cognate. Minor requirements are specific to the chosen academic department and can be found in the USCA Bulletin. B.A. students fulfill their research requirement by taking BIOL 498, Research Design, Implementation, and Analysis, which includes the Senior Seminar. 


Bachelor of Science in Biology

Dr. William Jackson, Faculty Contact

The Bachelor of Science in Biology is designed to provide students with a broad range of coursework and research experiences that can be drawn upon to prepare students for a career in biology as well as graduate and professional schooling in the medical, dental, and veterinary fields. B.S. students complete a cognate including Organic Chemistry and Physics or in upper level geology coursework.  Another option is to complete a minor in the College of Sciences in lieu of a cognate. Applied Research Design, Implementation, and Analysis (BIOL 499) and Senior Seminar (BIOL 490) are requirements of this degree. 


Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology share a common general education curriculum and 43 to 47 hours of coursework in biology.

  • 2 semesters of Introductory Biology
  • Ecology and Evolution
  • Fundamental Genetics
  • Biostatistics
  • One additional 300 level class
  • 2 additional 300 or 500 level classes
  • 2 500 level classes
  • Major elective
  • BIOL 498 OR BIOL 490/499
  • 12 hour cognate or minor, as determined by degree program

Complete degree requirements can viewed in the academic bulletins.

View academic bulletins

View program advisement plan