Non-Degree Pathway(s):

• 2-Year Pre-Nursing

Undergraduate Degree(s):

Students interested in pursuing the Master of Science in Biology should consult the Graduate School Bulletin of Texas Southern University for further information: 

For the Masters in Biology click here.

The mission of the Department of Biology is threefold:

1. to provide the opportunity for all students who matriculate through Texas Southern University to become better informed about biological phenomena and life processes, as well as apply information and knowledge gained toward an improved understanding of man, society, and the universe;
2. to provide undergraduate students with the appropriate background in Biology that will allow them to pursue medical, biomedical, and other allied or related careers; and
3. to ensure that undergraduates who intend to matriculate in graduate programs in the biological sciences, or related areas, are adequately prepared.

In pursuing the B.S. in Biology, students may select from the Comprehensive, or the Pre-Health Professional, or Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certification concentrations. The Comprehensive Concentration is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce or for additional study at the graduate level, while the Pre-Health Professional Concentration 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. Grades of “C” or better, where grades of “C-” are unacceptable, must be earned in all courses needed to satisfy the major and the minor. Students should seek detailed advisement from their designated advisors when selecting a minor because the selection of said minor could impact the total number of credits required for graduation. In no case will a student majoring in Biology qualify for graduation at the undergraduate level without satisfactorily completing a minimum of 120 semester credit hours.

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 gain admission to the University, satisfy TSI or any equivalent test requirements, and remove deficiencies identified at the time of admission with the University's TSI Testing Center. 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 their program of study and mentoring them in achieving their career goals.

All students following the Comprehensive Concentration will be required to maintain a GPA of 2.00. All students following the Pre-Health Professional Concentration will be required to maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 or better. If a student’s overall GPA falls below the stated requirements for two consecutive semesters the student will be removed from the list of designated majors and minors in Biology. 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. Please note that BIOL 401-Undergraduate Research serves as a capstone course and is required.

Additionally, to satisfy program assessment requirements, all biology majors are required to take an EXIT EXAM administered during their senior year.

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 click here.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Department Office at (713) 313-7005.

Biology Courses