Biology Major with Supporting Concentration in Chemistry
Bachelor of Science
4-Year Degree Plan FormBiology Major With Supporting Concentration in Chemistry Degree Planning Form
| Semester 1st and 2nd Years | Hours |
| Biology 1480, 2401, 2402; 2403 or 4423 | 16 |
| Art, drama, music (One 3-hour course) | 3 |
| Chemistry 1411, 1412 | 8 |
| Electives* | 7 |
| English 1301, sophomore course | 9 |
| History 1301, 1302 | 6 |
| Mathematics 1302, 1303, 1321, 2331, or 2332 | 6 |
| Physical Activity courses | 1 |
| Physics 1421, 1422 | 8 |
| 64 |
| Semester 3rd and 4th Years | Hours |
| BIOLOGY 3301, 3403, 4181, 4303, 4451, and advanced*** | 26 |
| Chemistry 3151, 3351, 3152, 3352, 4331 | 11 |
| Electives | 16 |
| Government 2301, 2302 | 6 |
| 60 |
A student interested in applying for admission to medical (including podiatry, optometry, chiropractic, or physician's assistant program) or dental school may major in any undergraduate discipline. Health professional school admission committees do not have a preference about an undergraduate major field or degree, so the student should select a major and degree plan consistent with career interests should medical or dental school plans not materialize. Selecting such an academic major, rather than a major in Premedicine or Predentistry, will provide the student with all course requirements for health professions school and with an optional or alternative career choice as well.
Many health professions students major in Biology, but majors in all fields are given equal consideration for admission to medical and dental schools. For example, a student wishing to apply to either medical or dental school, may prepare for an alternative career in biology or pursue graduate work in biology by following the biology major/chemistry minor degree plan. Or if the alternative career is teaching at the public school level, then the student should follow any teacher certification degree with a first and second teaching field (i.e. biology and chemistry). Students may also pursue career options of medical technology by following the medical technology degree plan or in nursing by following the nursing degree program. However, the student must contact the Chairperson of the Health Professions Advisory Committee as soon as possible to discuss major field selection, and the student must work closely with this advisor to develop an academic program which will satisfy the requirements of both the major field and the professional schools to which the student wants to apply. Information concerning majors and admission requirements of health professions schools is available from this advisor, and regular student conferences with this advisor are essential.
A student may qualify for the Bachelor of Science degree from Angelo State University by satisfactorily completing all of the specified course work for the Biology major with a Chemistry supporting concentration as listed in the degree plan of the University Bulletin and at least one full year at an accredited American medical, dental, optometry, or podiatry school. That is, the only Angelo State courses for which the one year of health professions would substitute are general elective hours. Before considering this option, the student should consult with both the health professions advisor and with the Dean of Sciences. Final permission to pursue this option must be obtained from the Dean of Sciences.
Students interested in applying for admission to physical therapy or occupational therapy school can complete all required preadmission coursework as well as participate in suggested professional experiences while attending Angelo State University. Students attending ASU with the intent to fulfill required academic prerequisites for admission may do so without declaring a specific academic major; however, because admission to professional training programs is highly competitive students are urged to select an academic major for an alternative career and work toward fulfillment of the degree requirements in conjunction with meeting the specific requirements of the physical therapy or occupational therapy schools. Many allied health professions students major in Biology or Psychology, but majors in all fields are given equal consideration for admission to physical therapy and occupational therapy schools. Students interested in these careers must meet with the prephysical therapy and preoccupational therapy advisor in the Biology Department to receive information pertinent to current program requirements and advising for course selection during the enrollment period prior to each semester. Students must work closely with this advisor to develop an academic program which will satisfy both the requirements of the professional program to which they are seeking admission and those of the chosen academic major. Regular conferences with the advisor are essential.
* If a supporting concentration other than chemistry is chosen, more than 130 semester hours may be required for a degree.** Biology 2423 is strongly recommended for premedical and predental students.
*** Mathematics 130A or 130B cannot be taken for these requirements; calculus is strongly recommended for students planning to pursue graduate work. Calculus (one semester) is also required for admission to most medical schools.
**** Biology 3421 and Biology 4423 are strongly recommended for premedical and predental students. Biology 4480 is strongly recommended for students pursuing admission to graduate programs.