Biology is a scientific study of the living world that leads to careers in education, health, environmental science, forensic biology, scientific journalism, and research. Studies in biology give us a way to understand nature and the interconnectedness of all living things. This field is important to everyday life because it allows us to better understand ourselves, our natural resources, and the potential threats that would alter, damage, or destroy our environment. The UNT Dallas Bachelor of Arts in Biology prepares students to go into education, journalism, environmental management, and research.
Program Advisor: Dr. Muhammed Yousufuddin at Muhammed.Yousufuddin@untdallas.edu
Building Blocks for the Degree
- Texas Core Curriculum: All students are required to complete 42 hours of the Texas Core Curriculum to earn a degree.
- Major Requirements: The biology major (BA) requires 36 hours of required in biology.
- Major Electives: 12 hours of electives in advanced biology courses.
- Supporting Science Requirements: Students are required to complete 19 hours of courses to enhance the understanding of the major requirements.
- Other Courses: Students must have a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate with a degree from UNTD. Students may complete a minor, certificate program or general elective courses to meet this requirement.
Core Curriculum Recommendations
UNTD adheres to the Texas Core Curriculum established in Texas Education Code Chapter 61, Subchapter S. Courses designated on the transcript as a Core Foundation Area will be applied to the Texas Core Curriculum. For Freshman students starting at UNTD (or transfer student looking ahead to attend UNTD), taking the recommended UNTD courses (or equivalent) can reduce hours to degree and provide more opportunities for elective courses.
Texas Core Curriculum (42 hours)
Courses in (parentheses) also count in the major.
Designation |
Core Foundation Area |
UNTD Recommended Course |
Course Name |
Credit Hours |
010 |
Communication |
ENGL 1313 |
College Writing I (grade of C or better required) |
3 |
010 |
Communication |
COMM 2300 |
Fundamentals of Public Speaking (C or better required) |
3 |
020 |
Mathematics |
MATH 1100 |
Algebra |
3 |
030 |
Life & Physical Sciences |
(BIOL 1710) |
Biology for Science Majors I |
3 |
030 |
Life & Physical Sciences |
(BIOL 1720) |
Biology for Science Majors II |
3 |
040 |
Language, Philosophy & Culture |
Varies |
Any course in the Core Foundation area |
3 |
050 |
Creative Arts |
Varies |
Any course in the Core Foundation area |
3 |
060 |
American History |
HIST 2610 |
US History to 1865 |
3 |
060 |
American History |
HIST 2620 |
US History since 1865 |
3 |
070 |
Government & Political Science |
PSCI 1040 |
American Government: Laws & Institutions |
3 |
070 |
Government & Political Science |
PSCI 1050 |
American Government: Process & Policy |
3 |
080 |
Social & Behavioral Science |
Varies |
Any course in the Core Foundation area |
3 |
090 |
Component Area Option |
(BIOL 1730/BIOL 1740/CHEM 1430/CHEM 1440) |
BIOL & CHEM Lab courses |
4 |
090 |
Component Area Option |
Varies |
Any course in the Core Foundation area |
2 |
Major Requirements (24 hours)
UNTD # |
Course Name |
Co/Prerequisite |
Credit Hours |
(BIOL 1710/30) |
Biology for Science Majors I and lab |
COREQ: BIOL 1730 |
3/1 |
(BIOL 1720/40) |
Biology for Science Majors II and lab |
COREQ: BIOL 1740 |
3/1 |
BIOL 2301/11 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology I and lab |
COREQ: BIOL 2311 |
3/1 |
BIOL 3320 |
Principles of Ecology |
PREQ: BIOL 1710/30 & 1720/40. BIOL 1720/40 may be taken concurrently |
3 |
BIOL 3451 |
Genetics |
PREQ: BIOL 1710/30 & 1720/40 & CHEM 1410/30 & CHEM 1420/40 |
3 |
BIOL 3510 |
Cell Biology |
PREQ: BIOL 1710/30 & 1720/40 |
3 |
BIOL 4260 |
Principles of Evolution |
PREQ: BIOL 3451 |
3 |
Major Electives (12 hours)
UNTD # |
Course Name |
Co/Prerequisite |
Credit Hours |
BIOL 3/4XXX |
Advanced Biology Elective |
|
3 |
BIOL 3/4XXX |
Advanced Biology Elective |
|
3 |
BIOL 3/4XXX |
Advanced Biology Elective |
|
3 |
BIOL 3/4XXX |
Advanced Biology Elective |
|
3 |
Supporting Science Requirements (19 hours)
UNTD # |
Course Name |
Co/Prerequisite |
Credit Hours |
CHEM 1410/(30) |
General Chemistry for Science Majors I and lab |
PREQ: MATH 1100; COREQ: CHEM 1430
|
3/1 |
CHEM 1420/(40) |
General Chemistry for Science Majors II and lab |
PREQ: CHEM 1410 or department consent |
3/1 |
CHEM 2370/3210 |
Organic Chemistry I and lab |
PREQ: CHEM 1420; COREQ: CHEM 3210
|
3/1 |
MATH 2424 |
Calculus I (formerly MATH 1710) |
PREQ: MATH 1600 or equivalent with a grade of C or better |
4 |
MATH 1680 |
Elementary Probability & Statistics |
PREQ: TSI-MATH complete; or MATH 1010 or MATH 1000R with a C or better; or COREQ: MATH 1000R |
3 |
Other UNTD Degree Requirements
All students must meet the General University Requirements as well as the major requirements.
Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
Biology major GPA of 2.0 or higher