Degree Programs

In order to choose the right major, you need to find an area about which you are passionate. The School of Biological and Physical Sciences offers programs in Veterinary Technology, Applied Microbiology, Applied Science, Biology, and Physical Science, with many different concentrations to help you create your perfect skill set.

Our applied microbiology curriculum starts with a “microbiology core curriculum” consisting of a general biology survey course and two general microbiology survey courses with companion laboratories.  These survey courses provide students with a broad and basic understanding of the fundamental fields of modern biology and microbiology.  Additionally, students complete a series of more directed courses focused on environmental regulations, biochemistry, and microbial genetics and physiology.  All students must also complete a capstone course and three semesters of chemistry (general and organic) with their companion laboratories.

In addition to the completion of these microbiology core courses, each applied microbiology major MUST choose to pursue one of the following two CONCENTRATIONS to allow students with different interests to obtain the proper training necessary to pursue their specific career goals:

  • Environmental and Applied Microbiology (619C) – for students who are interested in pursuing employment or graduate degrees in food, industrial, or environmental microbiology or quality assurance technology.
  • Medical and Health Profession (619B)– for students who are interested in pursuing employment or graduate degrees in medicine, dentistry, allied health sciences, pharmacy, or biomedical/microbiological research.

Our Biology curriculum starts with a “core biological sciences curriculum” consisting of three survey courses with companion laboratories and a senior-level course in primary scientific literature review.  The survey courses provide students with a broad and basic understanding of the fundamental fields of modern biology including cell and molecular biology, anatomy and physiology, genetics, microbiology, botany, invertebrate and vertebrate zoology, ecology and evolution.

Upon completion of these survey courses, each biology major MUST choose to pursue one of the following five CONCENTRATIONS to allow students with different interests to obtain the proper training necessary to pursue their specific career goals:

  • Biomedical (618M) – for students who are interested in pursuing employment or graduate degrees in medicine, dentistry, allied health sciences, pharmacy, or biomedical research.
  • Clinical Laboratory Sciences (618T)– for students who are interested in pursuing employment in medical technology.
  • Forensic Science (618R)– for students who are interested in pursuing employment in crime laboratories or law enforcement agencies.
  • Natural Science (618N)– for students who are interested in pursuing employment or graduate degrees in natural resource or wildlife management, zoology, or ecology.
  • Veterinary Technology (618V) – for students who are interested in pursuing employment or graduate degrees in veterinary medicine.

Our Physical Sciences curriculum, starts with a “Physical Sciences Core curriculum” consisting of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses which allow students to develop a broad understanding of the basic principles of each of these fields of science. Students must then further their studies in either Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, or Education with an additional 30 semester hours of upper level courses selected to prepare them for either the workforce, professional school, or physical science secondary education. Physical science majors MAY choose to add a CONCENTRATION in chemistry:

Chemistry (637A) – for students who are interested in pursuing employment or graduate degrees in analytical chemistry, biotechnology, chemical engineering, clinical science, forensic science, medicine, nanotechnology, pharmacology/pharmaceutical science, or toxicology.