Aug 14, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Biology, BS

Degree Map

University Core Curriculum Requirements

Communication - 010

Three hours from:

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

INCM 1305 - International and Intercultural Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 2333 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

Mathematics - 020

Three hours from:

MATH 1314 - College Algebra Credit(s): 3
MATH 1324 - Finite Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3
MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

Life and Physical Science - 030

Six hours from:

CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3

Language, Philosophy and Culture - 040

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1304 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

Creative Arts - 050

Three hours from:

ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1303 - Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1304 - Art History II (14th Century to the present) Credit(s): 3
DANC 2303 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 1310 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 2366 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3
MUMH 1307 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3

American History - 060

Six hours from:

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3

Government/Political Science - 070

Six hours from:

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3

Social and Behavioral Science - 080

Three hours from:

ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
MCOM 1307 - Survey of Mass Communication Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

Component Area Option - 090

Three hours from:

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

ENGL 2311 - Technical and Scientific Writing Credit(s): 3

College Requirements

For All Concentrations

Calculus Requirement

Complete three to four hours from:

MATH 2113 - Calculus I Lab Credit(s): 1
MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3
MATH 2326 - Applied Calculus Credit(s): 3

Computer Science

One course from:

COSC 1301 - Introduction to Computing Credit(s): 3
CSCI 1302 - Computer Science Principles Credit(s): 3
CSCI 1462 - Introduction to Data Analytics Credit(s): 4

Core Labs

Two hours from:

CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 1112 - General Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1

For Non-Teaching Concentrations

Additional Mathematics

Three to four hours from:

MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3
Or
MATH 2314 - Calculus II Credit(s): 3
MATH 2114 - Calculus II Lab Credit(s): 1

Additional Sciences and Statistics

Three or four hours from:

CHEM 3332 - Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 3132 - Organic Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 3421 - Quantitative Analysis Credit(s): 4
CHEM 3021 - Quantitative Analysis Lab Credit(s): 0
CHEM 4352 - Comprehensive Biochemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 4152 - Comprehensive Biochemistry I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
ERTH 1303 - Earth Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1103 - Earth Science Lab Credit(s): 1
ERTH 1304 - Earth Through Time Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1104 - Earth Through Time Lab Credit(s): 1
ERTH 3361 - Invertebrate Paleontology Credit(s): 3
ERTH 3061 - Invertebrate Paleontology Lab Credit(s): 0
PHYS 1302 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1102 - Electricity, Sound and Light Laboratory Credit(s): 1
STAT 3342 - Statistical Methods Credit(s): 3

Required Additional Sciences

CHEM 3331 - Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 3131 - Organic Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
PHYS 1301 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1101 - Mechanics and Heat Laboratory Credit(s): 1

For Biology Teacher Certification Concentration

Additional Mathematics

MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3

Additional Sciences and Statistics

Three to four hours from:

ASTR 1303 - Classical and Modern Astronomy Credit(s): 3
ASTR 1103 - Classical and Modern Astronomy Laboratory Credit(s): 1
CHEM 3331 - Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 3131 - Organic Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 3332 - Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 3132 - Organic Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1
ERTH 1303 - Earth Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1103 - Earth Science Lab Credit(s): 1
ERTH 1304 - Earth Through Time Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1104 - Earth Through Time Lab Credit(s): 1
PHYS 1301 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1101 - Mechanics and Heat Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 1302 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1102 - Electricity, Sound and Light Laboratory Credit(s): 1
STAT 3342 - Statistical Methods Credit(s): 3

Biology Major

Biology Core Courses

BIOL 1306 - Biology for Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1106 - Biology for Science Majors I Lab Credit(s): 1
BIOL 1307 - Biology for Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1107 - Biology for Science Majors II Lab Credit(s): 1
BIOL 3040 - Animal (Including Human) Physiology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3440 - Animal (Including Human) Physiology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3453 - Genetics Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3053 - Genetics Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4389 - Evolution Credit(s): 3
BIOL 4199 - Seminar in Biology Credit(s): 1

Biology Non-Teaching Concentrations

If the topic is deemed appropriate by the instructor and the department chair, BIOL 3390 , BIOL 4317 , and BIOL 4398 may also fulfill requirements for a degree track. Consult with a faculty advisor for assistance.

Aquatic Biology (Freshwater and Marine) Concentration

Required Courses

BIOL 2361 - Plant Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2061 - Plant Form and Function Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 2371 - Animal Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2071 - Animal Form and Function Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3481 - General Ecology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3461 - Plant Kingdom Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3061 - Plant Kingdom Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3081 - General Ecology Lab Credit(s): 0

Aquatic Science

10-12 hours from:

BIOL 3317 - Marine Biology Credit(s): 3
BIOL 4434 - Invertebrate Natural History Credit(s): 3
BIOL 4034 - Invertebrate Natural History Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4442 - Ichthyology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 4042 - Ichthyology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4484 - Limnology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 4084 - Limnology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4612 - Field-Based Ecological Methods Credit(s): 6
BIOL 4682 - Field Biology Credit(s): 6
ERTH 3303 - Oceanography Credit(s): 3

Advanced Survey Biology

Six to eight hours from:

BIOL 3360 - Mycology Credit(s): 3
BIOL 3060 - Mycology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3421 - Microbiology for Science Majors Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3021 - Microbiology for Science Majors Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4386 - Behavioral Ecology Credit(s): 3
BIOL 4444 - Herpetology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 4044 - Herpetology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4446 - Mammalogy Credit(s): 4
BIOL 4046 - Mammalogy Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4448 - Ornithology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 4048 - Ornithology Lab Credit(s): 0

Advanced Biology Electives

Complete 5-10 hours of BIOL upper-level electives. Up to two upper-level courses outside the major may be selected in consultation with an advisor.

Excludes: BIOL 3417 , BIOL 3420 and respective labs.

Cellular and Molecular Concentration

Form and Function

Three hours from:

BIOL 2361 - Plant Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2061 - Plant Form and Function Lab Credit(s): 0
or
BIOL 2371 - Animal Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2071 - Animal Form and Function Lab Credit(s): 0

Organismal

Three to four hours from:

BIOL 3421 - Microbiology for Science Majors Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3021 - Microbiology for Science Majors Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3443 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3043 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Lab Credit(s): 0

Cellular and Molecular

Complete the following:

BIOL 4351 - Cellular Biology Credit(s): 3
BIOL 4352 - Molecular Biology Credit(s): 3

Ecology

Three to four hours from:

BIOL 3481 - General Ecology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3081 - General Ecology Lab Credit(s): 0
or
BIOL 4367 - Terrestrial Plant Ecology Credit(s): 3
BIOL 4067 - Terrestrial Plant Ecology Lab Credit(s): 0

Advanced Biology Electives

Complete 20-23 hours of BIOL upper-level electives. Up to two upper-level courses outside the major may be selected in consultation with an advisor.

Excludes: BIOL 3417 , BIOL 3420 and respective labs.

Conservation, Ecology and Evolution Concentration

Required Courses

Form/Function
BIOL 2361 - Plant Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2061 - Plant Form and Function Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 2371 - Animal Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2071 - Animal Form and Function Lab Credit(s): 0
Ecology
BIOL 3481 - General Ecology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3081 - General Ecology Lab Credit(s): 0
Conservation
BIOL 3323 - Conservation Biology Credit(s): 3

Cell/Molecular Biology

Three hours from:

BIOL 4351 - Cellular Biology Credit(s): 3
or
BIOL 4352 - Molecular Biology Credit(s): 3

Advanced Ecology/Evolution

Three to six hours from:

BIOL 3317 - Marine Biology Credit(s): 3
BIOL 3443 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3043 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4354 - Developmental Biology Credit(s): 3
BIOL 4367 - Terrestrial Plant Ecology Credit(s): 3
BIOL 4067 - Terrestrial Plant Ecology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4386 - Behavioral Ecology Credit(s): 3
BIOL 4484 - Limnology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 4084 - Limnology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4612 - Field-Based Ecological Methods Credit(s): 6
BIOL 4682 - Field Biology Credit(s): 6

Advanced Form/Function

Three to four hours from:

BIOL 3431 - General Entomology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3031 - General Entomology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3443 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3043 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3360 - Mycology Credit(s): 3
BIOL 3060 - Mycology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3421 - Microbiology for Science Majors Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3021 - Microbiology for Science Majors Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3441 - Embryology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3041 - Embryology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3461 - Plant Kingdom Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3061 - Plant Kingdom Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4366 - Plant Pathology Credit(s): 3
BIOL 4066 - Plant Pathology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4434 - Invertebrate Natural History Credit(s): 3
BIOL 4034 - Invertebrate Natural History Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4442 - Ichthyology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 4042 - Ichthyology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4444 - Herpetology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 4044 - Herpetology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4446 - Mammalogy Credit(s): 4
BIOL 4046 - Mammalogy Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 4448 - Ornithology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 4048 - Ornithology Lab Credit(s): 0

Advanced Biology Electives

Complete 12-17 hours of upper-level BIOL electives. Up to two upper-level courses outside the major may be selected in consultation with an advisor.

Excludes: BIOL 3417 , BIOL 3420 and respective labs.

Biology Teacher Certification Concentration

Required Courses

BIOL 2361 - Plant Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2061 - Plant Form and Function Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 2371 - Animal Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2071 - Animal Form and Function Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3481 - General Ecology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3081 - General Ecology Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3421 - Microbiology for Science Majors Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3021 - Microbiology for Science Majors Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3443 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credit(s): 4
BIOL 3043 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Lab Credit(s): 0

Jacks Teach Step 1 and 2 Option

Two hours from:

JTCH 1101 - Step 1: Inquiry Approaches to STEM Teaching Credit(s): 1
JTCH 1102 - Step 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design Credit(s): 1
Or
JTCH 1203 - Steps 1 and 2 Inquiry-Based STEM Lesson Design Credit(s): 2

Jacks Teach Required Courses

JTCH 3301 - Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science Credit(s): 3
JTCH 3311 - Classroom Interactions Credit(s): 3
JTCH 3361 - Perspectives on Science and Mathematics Credit(s): 3
JTCH 4301 - STEM Unit Delivery and Design Credit(s): 3
JTCH 4351 - Research Methods Credit(s): 3

Student Teaching

Nine hours of:

JTCH 4901 - Apprentice Teaching Credit(s): 9

Minor Option

A minor of 18 to 24 semester hours in a single discipline is optional. At least six hours in the minor must be in advanced-level courses at SFA. Choosing a minor may take the student over the hours required for this degree. Degree hours are used to calculate excessive hour charges and Tuition Rebate eligibility.

General Electives

The student may be required to complete additional elective hours to complete the degree.

Total hours: 120

Grade Requirements

A grade of at least C in each first-year English course (ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 )
A C average in work completed in the major field
A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (Degree Works). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

In-Residence Requirement

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degrees require at least 25% semester credit hours completed in-residence.

Undergraduate degrees with 120 hours total degree program hours require a minimum of 30 advanced (upper level) in-residence semester credit hours. The in-residence hour requirement will be fulfilled as part of the individual discipline major, which includes as least 12 advanced in-residence semester credit hours. Minor requirements also may contribute to the total in-residence hours as at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours are required. The balance of in-resident hours will be fulfilled through additional advanced semester credit hours and may include further major and minor coursework.

Undergraduate degrees with more than 120 total degree program hour requirements will ensure semester credit hours for the specific discipline include at least 25% of total semester credit hours in-residence.

View HOP policy 02-214.

Texas Success Initiative Program

All students must satisfy provisions of the Texas Success Initiative program. See the TSI information catalog page.