Contents
Catalog Links

Department of Biology

https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/undergraduate-majors-minors/biology-degrees/

Head of Department

Jennifer Hennigan, Ph.D
325-670-1396
HSU Box 16165
jennifer.hennigan@hsutx.edu

Faculty

Austin Alexander, DPT, Visiting Instructor
Rick Hammer, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Jennifer Hennigan, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Andrea B. Jensen, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Allan J. Landwer, Ph.D., Professor
Christopher L. McNair, Ph.D., Professor
Candace Wicks, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Wendi Wolfram, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Objectives

The Department of Biology teaches courses in cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology, human biology, field biology, and ecology. Graduates of our program have succeeded in professional and graduate programs after earning their baccalaureate degree. Course sequences are designed to meet the educational needs of students interested in gaining admittance to professional programs in the medical sciences (e.g., medical, physician assistant, dental, physical/occupational therapy, veterinary schools); baccalaureate degree or certification programs in various allied health fields (e.g. nursing, medical technology, radiological technology); graduate programs in cellular, organismal, or field biology; or pursuing certification to teach at the elementary or secondary grade school levels.

Students who graduate with a major in Biology will:

  1. Recognize core biological principles, including evolution, the relationship between structure and function, and information flow at all levels of biological organization.
  2. Explain and apply the scientific method, including designing, experimenting, and analyzing data.
  3. Analyze data, identify key results, and critically review primary scientific literature.
  4. Communicate biological information in oral and written form.
  5. Apply ethics to the daily practice of biology in research and medicine.

Bachelor of Arts in Biology

The Biology major requires a minimum of 35 semester hours in biology. Students are required to demonstrate technological proficiency by completion of a computer course or by completing the departmental technological proficiency exam offered by the Kelley College of Business. Foreign language requirements and options for meeting minor degree requirements for the B.A. degree.

Bachelor of Science in Biology

The Biology major requires a minimum of 38 semester hours in biology. Courses required include: BIOL 1306, 1106, 1307, 1107, 2334, 3410, 3411, 4104, and 18 semester hours of biology at the advanced level, with at least 12 of those hours from courses offering a laboratory. Required supporting courses include: CHEM 1310, 1110, 1311, and 1111; PHYS 1310, 1110, 1311, and 1111; STAT 3312; and six hours of mathematics selected from MATH 1310, 1311, 1312, 1420, or 1421. Students are required to demonstrate technological proficiency by completion of a computer course or by completing the departmental technological proficiency exam offered by the Kelley College of Business. Students pursuing the B.S. degree must minor in one of the following fields: biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, geology, mathematics, physics, or public health. catalog.

Note Students majoring in biology and pursuing either a B.S. or B.A. degree must pass BIOL 1306, 1307, and 2334 with grades of “C” or better before registering for advanced courses in the biology curriculum. Exceptions to this rule will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the student’s advisor and the biology department head.

 

A minor in Biology for the B.A. or B.S. requires BIOL 1306, 1106, 1307, 1107, 2234, 3410, 3411, and 3 semester hours of biology at the advanced level.

A minor in Public Health provides students with the skills required to seek careers or pursue graduate studies in the five core disciplines of public health at the community, state, and national levels in the United States. This minor for the B.B.S., B.B.A., B.A., or B.S. requires PBHL 2301, PBHL 3310, BIOL 2405 or 3420, STAT 3312, SOCI 4360, ENVM 4320, and one of the following: BIOL 2334, 3304, 3314, 4402, 4326, or ENVM 3312.

Teacher Preparation Program:

Students seeking teacher certification in biology should pursue a major in Life Sciences (Composite) offered by the Irvin School of Education. Please refer to the Irvin School of Education section of this catalog for Texas Preparation requirements.