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Department of Biology
Undergraduate Advising
Butler Hall, Room 107
979-845-3116

Frequently Asked Questions about Degree Requirements

a. MATH 166 and MATH 131 are suggested courses for all biology degrees including the Biology (BA), Botany (BS), Microbiology (BS), Molecular and Cell Biology (BS), Zoology (BS), and Zoology-Early Admissions Option degrees.
b. Any student may take MATH 142, 151, or 171 and substitute it for MATH 131. The student must then complete MATH 141 or 166, PHIL 240 or a second semester of calculus (either MATH 152 or 172).
c. Any student may substitute MATH 141, 152, 172 or PHIL 240 for MATH 166.
 

26. Do I have to take a language if I took two years of language in high school?
Botany (BS), Microbiology (BS), Molecular and Cell Biology (BS) and Zoology (BS) majors who Department of Biology degree plans prior to catalog #114 require a minimum of two semesters of language regardless of any language taken in high school. This requirement was changed for catalog #114. Any catalog after #114 requires students to take one year of language and two humanities electives in the B.A. program and three humanities electives in the B.S. programs other than ZOOL-EAO. Students with questions about the language requirement should come to the Undergraduate Advising Office (107 Butler Hall).

27. What can I take as biology (or botany or microbiology or zoology) electives?
The directed electives which may be used in each degree program are listed in the catalog and on the handouts available in the Undergraduate Advising Office (107 Butler). Listed below are the courses most recently considered.

B.A. in Biology: The Botany elective may be chosen from any 200-, 300- or 400-level BOTN course; the Zoology elective may be chosen from any 300- or 400-level ZOOL course, BIOL 414, 440, ENTO 313, WFSC 302, 311, 315, 401, 402, 422.

B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology: Approved biology electives are BIOL 430, 466, 485; BOTN 304, 453; GENE 450; MICR 406, 410, 424, 438, 445, 454, 489; PPHY 313, 315, 409; ZOOL 344, 388, 405, VAPH 343.

B.S. in Botany: Approved botany electives are BICH 431, BIOL 430, 466, 485, BOTN 328, 408, 489, GEOG 435, PLPA 301, PPHY 315, 401, 409; RLEM 417, 302; the Zoology elective may be chosen from any 300- or 400-level course in Zoology, ENTO 313, WFSC 302, 311, 315, 401, 402, 422.

B.S. in Microbiology
Catalogs #111 - 116: Approved microbiology electives are: a minimum of three of the following: MICR 352, 353, 445, 454 & 455, 456, 457, 462, 489. Two additional courses from those listed above or from the following: AGRO 405; BICH 431; BIOL 413, 423, 430, 485*; BOTN 408; DASC 326 & 327; VTMI 406; ZOOL 436.

Catalog #117-118: Approved microbiology electives are a minimum of one of the following: MICR 445, 454 & 455, 489. Four additional courses from those listed above or from the following: MICR 352, 410, 424, 456, 457, 489; AGRO 405; BICH 431; BIOL 430, 485*; BOTN 408; DASC 326 & 327; VTMI 406; ZOOL 436.

B.S. in Zoology
Catalogs #111 - 116: Approved zoology electives are at least two of the following courses: ZOOL 318, 335, 344, 436, BIOL 414, VAPH 343. One additional course from those listed above or from BIOL 440, 459; ENTO 313; WFSC 311, 315, 401, 402, 422; ZOOL 405, 434. Biology electives: any 300- or 400-level BIOL, MICR, or GENE course; any 200-, 300-, or 400-level BOTN or ZOOL course (excluding ZOOL 219 and 220).
Catalog #117-118: Approved zoology electives are at least one of the following courses: ZOOL 344, 436, OR BIOL 414, VAPH 343. One additional course from those listed above or from BIOL 440, 459; ENTO 313; WFSC 311, 315, 401, 402, 422; ZOOL 405, 434, 489.

Biology electives: any 300- or 400-level BIOL, MICR, ZOOL, or GENE course; any 200-, 300-, or 400-level BOTN course (excluding ZOOL 219 and 220).

Zoology - Early Admissions Option: While all available options are listed on the back of the curriculum sheet in the appendix, the following courses are usually recommended: Histology (VAPH 343), Embryology (ZOOL 344), Animal Physiology (ZOOL 388), Cell Biology (BIOL 413 & 423), and Microbiology (MICR 351).

28. What can I use as general electives?
General electives are open as long as the student satisfies the Core Curriculum requirements. The only courses that cannot be used as general electives are prerequisite courses for minimum requirements (i.e. ENGL 103, MATH 150), orientation courses (i.e. AGRO 101), and those courses offered by the Department of Biology for non-majors (BOTN 101, MICR 206, ZOOL 107, 219, 220).

29. How do I satisfy a minor?
A minor is only available for students following the B.A. Biology degree plan. To complete a minor, a student must have 18 credit hours in the minor field with at least 6 hours in 300- or 400-level courses. The chemistry and biochemistry courses required in the B.A. program satisfy the requirements for a minor in Chemistry. Also, a student may declare only one minor with their degree program.

30. How many hours can I transfer from another school?
There is no limit on transfer credits from other colleges and universities. TAMU residency requirements state that a student must complete 36 hours of 300- and 400-level courses at Texas A&M. Twelve hours of the total 36 hours must be in the student's major field.

31.What courses can I transfer from another school?
For transfer students we require completion of two semesters of General Biology (Common Course Numbers BIOL1406 and 1407) and two semesters of General Chemistry (Common Course Numbers CHEM1411 and 1412) before transferring. Students must also have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall and in the biology courses, however, the averages for students accepted is normally higher.

32. What is a BIOL 485?
BIOL 485 is an independent research course supervised by various faculty members in the department (1-4 credit hours).

33. How do I choose a 485 topic?
Students are advised to look over the 485 listings (also available in the Undergraduate Advising Office). This allows the student to narrow their interests before approaching individual professors.

34. How many hours of 485 can I use?
Students may use up to 4 hours of 485 credit as a directed elective (BIOL, BOTN, MICR, ZOOL) in their degree plan. Hours in excess of this may be used as general electives as long as a student has completed the Core Curriculum requirements.

35. How do I register for a 485?
Students should obtain a 485 form, which is available from our Undergraduate Advising Office or you may click here. The form must be signed by the supervising professor and the form returned to the Undergraduate Advising Office in 107 Butler for an advisor's signature. At this time the advisor will rule on whether or not the course is acceptable and exactly how it will be used in the degree plan. Up to 4 credit hours may be used as a directed elective (BIOL, BOTN, MICR, ZOOL). Additional credit hours may be used as general electives. Complete it with the professor, and return it to the Advising Office.