B.S. in Biology
With a hands-on approach to education, the Bachelor of Science in Biology degree program offers a current and relevant curriculum that prepares students for a successful biology career or graduate studies in the rapidly changing field of biology. As a biology major, you’ll acquire a knowledge of diverse biological concepts and develop skills used by professional scientists.
Choose from concentrations in:
- Aquatic Ecology
- Botany
- General biology
- Environmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Teacher certification in Science or Life Science
- Terrestrial Ecology
- Wildlife Biology
- Zoology
What is Biology?
Biology is the study of living organisms, their structure, function, development, behavior, and evolution. It encompasses many specialized fields, such as environmental science, ecology, molecular biology, and wildlife biology.
The B.S. in Biology provides opportunities for many hands-on experiences focusing on ecology, molecular biology, and environmental science. A related degree, the B.S. in Biomedical Science focuses on preparing students for the medical field. We prepare our undergraduate students for graduate and professional school programs, as well as successful long-term careers in biology.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology?
Depending on your choice in concentration, you will be qualified after graduation for entry-level jobs in various careers.
With lab and field research experience, you’ll also be well-prepared to continue your education in graduate school, such as Tarleton’s MS in Biology or MS in Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.
Our graduates work in government, consulting, environmental science, business, pharmaceuticals, higher education, and more.
For detailed information regarding the B.S. of Biology degree see the University Catalog.
Learn more about the many opportunities offered by the Department of Biological Sciences by visiting the departmental website.
Estimated Completion
120 Credit Hours (4 years)
Application Process
Cost
Locations Available
College
Department
How Much Do Biology Graduates Make?
The majority of biology majors earn an annual salary of $50,000 or more.
A significant part of the B.S. in Biology degree program is participating in research. Motivated students have many opportunities to be involved in a research project. As a biology major at Tarleton, you'll be guided to find a research area that fits your interests and goals. This includes opportunities for funding, publication, presentations at conferences, and other experiences that will enrich your education and prepare you for graduate studies or a career as a professional biologist.
Our faculty are specialists in diverse biological disciplines and enthusiastic about their teaching and research. In addition to teaching classes, we provide research mentorship to our undergraduate students and have professional networks that can help connect you with research and job opportunities. Many of the classes we teach have field- or lab-based components.
Study abroad opportunities may include travel to the Caribbean to study a tropical island ecosystem. This study abroad trip is integrated with the curriculum as participants receive credit for the Ecology and Evolution course. This experience provides students with hands-on experience in ecological and field techniques.
As a biology major, you may be particularly interested in getting involved with TriBeta, Tarleton Environmental Society, Tarleton Wildlife Society, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Environmental Club, Science Olympiad Contest, UIL contest, Plant Conversation Conference, American Society of Parasitologists and more. From the Bosque River Clean Up to working with local elementary schools, our biology majors also do a lot in the community.
You may qualify for program scholarships for biology majors , private scholarships related to biology and science and other scholarships from the university. Biology majors can also apply for travel money, grants and additional undergraduate research funds from the Department of Biological Sciences.
What Classes Will You Take as a Biology Major?
The classes that we offer are designed to provide you with core knowledge in biology that is applicable and adaptable to a variety of fields and jobs for a diverse pathway to many options in biology careers. These include organismal classes such as Mammalogy, Ornithology, Ecology, and Plant Physiology and molecular-focused classes such as Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Genetic Techniques, and Virology.
View a complete list of course offerings.
Accreditations
How Do You Get Started on Your Bachelor’s Degree in Biology?
Take the next step toward earning your bachelor’s degree in biology. We have the resources to help you get started.
Faculty and students actively engage in a wide range of research areas, including ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, physiology and virology. Recent research projects include conservation genetics of kangaroo rats and crawfish frogs, surveys of reptiles, mammals, and trematode parasites, detection of reticuloendotheliosis virus in wild turkeys, survivorship of translocated Texas horned lizards, analysis of plant communities, and genetic detection of E. coli virulence genes in environmental water samples.
As a biology major at Tarleton, you'll have the opportunity to study at the Timberlake Biological Field Station located on the Colorado River of central Texas, operate laboratory instrumentation for genetic analyses, perform advanced computing to analyze biological data, curate plant specimens in an herbarium, conduct biological surveys, and much more.
This specialized cohort program prepares students for pursuing fellowships and graduate school. Biology majors in the program are taught how to develop well-crafted fellowship and external funding applications and receive a stipend.
Timberlake Biological Field Station
The Timberlake Biological Field Station, located on the Colorado River of central Texas, provides a field classroom for students to gain valuable, hands-on experience with research. Biology majors learn how to identify organisms, observe ecosystems, and more on this 790-acre property with over 2 miles of river frontage.
What Bachelor’s Degrees are Related to Biology?
- BS in Biomedical Science
- BS in Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences
- BS in Medical Laboratory Science
- BS in Animal Science