Biology
Studying biology at Baylor is a journey that will give you a new perspective on the world. You will learn from a variety of biologists; some who study life at the molecular or cellular level, and others focus on the ecological and environmental questions concerning entire communities and ecosystems.
Baylor biologists recognize that the scientific process is a tool that can be used to understand the workings of the natural world and to solve many concerns of our time. We strive to teach students to become excellent observers and to develop a creative eye for the applications of biology.
An understanding of biological science prepares you to be an investigator of living things at many levels. This translates into careers in healthcare, education, biotechnology, ecology, and many other areas.
Health Professions
Students who are interested in careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, or physician assistantship are encouraged to pursue a major in biology. The requirements of each of the concentrations in biology align closely with prerequisites for professional programs, and the intensive study of biology is advantageous for success therein. Based on a close examination of the trajectory of prior students, the Department of Biology strongly suggests that only those students who earn “B” grades in either BIO 1305 Modern Concepts of Bioscience - BIO 1105 Modern Concepts of Bioscience Laboratory or BIO 1405 Investigations of Modern Biology Concepts I and either BIO 1306 Modern Concepts of Bioscience, continued - BIO 1106 Modern Concepts of Bioscience Laboratory or BIO 1406 Investigations of Modern Biology Concepts II continue to pursue professional school acceptance as a primary goal of undergraduate education. Students who perform below this level are generally not competitive applicants for professional schools. Students who are interested in graduate programs in biology are encouraged to maintain an in-major GPA at or above 3.0. Prehealthcare students are urged to communicate regularly with the Office of PreHealth Programs.
Graduate School and Research Careers
Students who are interested in careers in wildlife biology, nature conservancy, water quality preservation, biotechnology, molecular medicine (including careers in the pharmaceutical industry, genetic counseling, and clinical laboratory science), food science, computational biology, global health advocacy, clinical trials coordination, and research science more broadly are encouraged to pursue a major in biology. Examples of research science disciplines pursued by biologists include evolutionary biology, pharmacology, cancer biology, neuroscience, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, entomology, parasitology, virology, microbiology and antibiotic resistance, wildlife and human epidemiology, wildlife physiology, climate change biology and sustainability research, aquatic biology, marine biology, environmental science, botany, tropical disease biology, and public health. The requirements of each concentration in biology align closely with prerequisites for graduate research programs. The intensive study of biology along with an undergraduate research track record are essential for successful entry into graduate research programs. Students who are interested in careers in biology are encouraged to stay in regular contact with the College of Arts & Sciences Advisement Office, the Office of Career and Professional Development as well as faculty in the Department of Biology.
Programs
Program Requirements
Either BIO 1305 - BIO 1105 or BIO 1405; and either BIO 1306 - BIO 1106 or BIO 1406, all with grades of “C” or better, are prerequisites for all “2000” and above level courses in biology, with the exception of BIO 2401 and BIO 2402. Non-biology majors are held to the same prerequisite standards as biology majors. BIO 1401, BIO 1303, BIO 2401, and BIO 2402 cannot be used to satisfy the minimum number of semester hours required for a major in biology; BIO 1401 and BIO 1303 do not count in the minimum hours for a minor in biology. A maximum of three semester hours of BIO 3V9R and a maximum of three semester hours of BIO 4V9R may be applied toward a major or minor in biology.
Students interested in biology as a major can select the Biology designation upon enrollment at Baylor. However, students who have not met the criteria listed below by 60 hours in residence will not advance in the biology major and must change degree programs. To advance in the major, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Complete with grades of “C” or better either BIO 1305 - BIO 1105 or BIO 1405; and either BIO 1306 - BIO 1106 or BIO 1406; or their equivalents. A grade of “C-” or lower is not acceptable.
- Students may transfer credit for these courses as long as the courses were taken prior to matriculation at Baylor.
- Students may repeat each of the introductory (BIO 1305 - BIO 1105, BIO 1405, BIO 1306 - BIO 1106, BIO 1406) courses only once if they fail to earn a “C” or better the first time they take the course. Withdrawing from the course counts as one of the two allowed attempts.
- Current Baylor students must have a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA and at least 12 hours in residence to request to major in Biology.
Students who have not satisfied these requirements by the time they complete 60 hours in residence will not advance in the biology major and must change degree programs.
Students majoring in biology will need to select a concentration in Biology (Integrative Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Science Education, or Biology of Global Health - see additional admission requirements under Biology of Global Health concentration) before completing 60 hours in residence. Students may not select their concentration until after completing the first-year sequence in biology: BIO 1305 & BIO 1105 or BIO 1405; and BIO 1306 & BIO 1106 or BIO 1406. Therefore, it is imperative that students interested in majoring in biology complete the first-year sequence before completing 60 hours at Baylor.
Note: As with all courses that count on a biology degree, students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in these introductory courses. A grade of “C-” or below is not sufficient for any course in the biology major. Moreover, in the event that a student does not earn at least a “C” (including a “W”) in any of the first-year sequence BIO courses, only one additional attempt is allowed.
Transfer Students
Transfer students desiring to enter Baylor to major in Biology must have a minimum 3.50 external GPA. Students who transfer credit to Baylor with credit on record for BIO 1305 - BIO 1105 or BIO 1405 and BIO 1306 - BIO 1106 or BIO 1406 will be eligible to declare biology as a major and select a concentration upon initial enrollment at Baylor provided they have earned a C or higher in these courses. Students who earn a score of 5 on the AP examination in biology will be eligible to declare biology (all concentrations) as a major upon enrollment.