Students majoring in biology may choose either a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. The BS degree emphasizes research and laboratory experience and requires additional courses in biology. All BS students will complete a laboratory or field project under the direction of a faculty member in the Biology Department. BS students will also complete BIOL 3194, 4194 and 4195, for which they will prepare a scientific research article describing their research. The BS in Cell and Molecular Biology degree is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).
A grade of “C” or better in BIOL 1351, 1151, 1352, and 1152 and CHEM 1341, 1141 are prerequisites for all other biology courses. No biology course may be taken unless all prerequisites have been completed with a grade of “C” or better. Advanced placement credit or credit by examination may not be used as prerequisites for upper–division biology courses. Biology courses may only be taken a maximum of three (3) times.
Students graduating with a degree in Biology or Cell and Molecular Biology must have a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all biology courses.
Students completing any major in biology must take the Educational Testing Service Major Field Test in Biology (MFT) in the semester in which they graduate. Students who do not take the MFT will not be allowed to graduate with a major in biology.
Bachelor's Degree Requirements
The following overall requirements are needed in order to earn a bachelor's degree. For a full explanation of the requirements, please see policy A.04.01.
- Completion of the core curriculum. Specific core plan is dependent upon accepted transfer credit, major, and Honor's Program participation.
- Successful completion of at least 120 credit hours, with the final 36 hours taken in Residence at UST. Total credits listed on the page only reflect the major.
- Completion of a major.
- Completion of 36 upper-division credit hours.
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) above 2.0
- A cumulative GPA above 2.0 in your major
- Freshman Symposium is a one-credit hour, mandatory course exclusively for first-year students at the University of St. Thomas, introducing them to the UST mission and the Basilian Fathers’ core values of goodness, discipline, and knowledge. Freshmen register for it during the Freshmen Registration/Orientation events and can choose a class that aligns with their interests, with course descriptions provided in advance.
Biology
Additional Upper Division Biology Courses
Choose four lecture courses and 3 lab courses. For 3 HR courses with 1 HR lab it is recommended to take them together. 4 HR courses include the lecture and the lab. *
Chemistry
Must take in order:
Physics
Choose one pair of the following:
Mathematics
Choose one of the following: