Students may choose one of the following tracks to ensure the completion of relevant or necessary courses for certain careers in biology:
Pre-professional Track (pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-graduate, pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, pre-veterinary medicine, pre-optometry): The following courses are required in addition to the biological sciences core: CHE 212 and 405, PHY 101-102, and MAT 132. To complete the biology major, preprofessional students will select a minimum of 37 hours, including at least 17 upper level, of BIO/HRP courses(with the exception of BIO 101 and 220). The following courses are highly recommended: BIO 234-235 (or 244-245, and 275), 306, 310, 312, 326, 144 407, 409, 415, 419, 420, 470, HRP 201. Students will be advised as to other requirements for a particular professional school.
Microbiology Track: Students following this track will be eligible to sit for the National Registry of Microbiologists exam as a conditional registrant(i.e. no work experience). Exams are offered in the areas of clinical and public health microbiology, or consumer products and quality assurance microbiology. In addition to the biological sciences core, the student must select at least 20 hours from the following courses: BIO 260, 310, 415, 416, 419, 420, and 470. To complete the biology major, the following courses are highly recommended: BIO 306, 320, and HRP 201.
Environmental Biology Track: The following courses are required in addition to the biological sciences core: BIO 250, 320, and 430. To complete the biology major, the student will select a minimum of 13 hours chosen from relevant biology courses; BIO 301, 431, and 432 are highly recommended. Students may also wish to use summer courses at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory to complete the hours in the major.
