Bachelor of Science in Biology (Pre-Med)

Website: https://twu.edu/biology/undergraduate-programs/bachelor-of-science-in-biology-for-pre-health-professions/

Our bachelor's degree in Biology (Pre-Medicine track) is your first step toward a career as a health professional. During our four-year program, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles of biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, and cellular biology. The broad background provided by our bachelor's degree provides excellent preparation for those seeking admission into medical, dental, and veterinary programs.  The curriculum is designed to meet all course prerequisites for medical school and also provides a strong foundation for preparing for the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test).  Students on this track are encouraged to visit the Pre-Health Resources site to learn more about medical school admissions procedures, shadowing and internship opportunities, writing your personal statement, and other valuable guidance and information.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

  1. Written and oral communication skills.
  2. ​Demonstrate critical thinking by using logic and reasoning to interpret scientific results.
  3. Ability to design and conduct properly controlled experiments.
  4. Utilize modern scientific instruments and methods.
  5. ​Work collaboratively as part of a team to perform, analyze, and present research.
  6. ​Ability to understand and comply with laboratory safety guidelines.
  7. Appreciate the requirements for a successful career in the health professions.  

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 120    

Major: 28 SCH

Program Code: BIOLOGY.BS.PREMED;  CIP Code: 26.0101.00 

Lecture and lab must be taken concurrently.  A minimum grade of C is mandatory in all required courses for Biology majors.

Texas Core Curriculum

ENG 1013Composition I3
ENG 1023Composition II3
Mathematics3
Life & Physical Sciences6
Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
Creative Arts3
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-18653
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government3
POLS 2023Texas Government3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
CAO: Women's Studies3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
Total SCHs42

Courses Required for Major

BACT 3113
& BACT 3111		General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory		4
BIOL 4813
& BIOL 4811		Molecular and Cellular Biology: Gene Expression
and Molecular and Cellular Biology: Gene Expression Laboratory		4
BIOL 4823
& BIOL 4821		Molecular and Cellular Biology: Genetics and Inheritance
and Molecular and Cellular Biology: Genetics and Inheritance Laboratory		4
ZOOL 4243
& ZOOL 4241		Medical Physiology
and Medical Physiology Laboratory		4
BIOL 4681Biology Seminar1
Biology Electives from BACT, BIOL, or ZOOL11
Biology Elective hours must include coursework appropriate for science majors. The following courses are not acceptable electives: BACT 1003/BACT 1001, BIOL 1013, BIOL 1023, BIOL 1033, BIOL 1223, ZOOL 2013/ZOOL 2011, and ZOOL 2023/ZOOL 2021.
Total SCHs28

Departmental Requirements

BIOL 1113
& BIOL 1111		Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory		4
BIOL 1123
& BIOL 1121		Principles of Biology II
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory		4
Choose one of the following:4
CHEM 1113
& CHEM 1111
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 1213
& CHEM 1211
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
Choose one of the following:4
CHEM 1123
& CHEM 1121
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 1223
& CHEM 1221
Principles of Chemistry II
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 2213
& CHEM 2211		Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I		4
CHEM 3223
& CHEM 3221		Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II		4
CHEM 3633
& CHEM 3632		Biochemistry I
and Biochemistry I Laboratory		5
MATH 1303College Algebra3-4
or MATH 2014 Calculus I
MATH 1703Elementary Statistics I3
PSY 1013Introduction to General Psychology3
Select one of the following3
PSY 1603
Developmental Psychology
PSY 2513
Abnormal Psychology
SOCI 1013Introductory Sociology3
Choose one of the following:4
PHYS 1133
& PHYS 1131
Principles of Physics I
and Principles of Physics Laboratory I
PHYS 2153
& PHYS 2151
General Physics I
and General Physics Laboratory I
Choose one of the following:4
PHYS 1143
& PHYS 1141
Principles of Physics II
and Principles of Physics Laboratory II
PHYS 2163
& PHYS 2161
General Physics II
and General Physics Laboratory II
Electives - Choose two of the following:6
HDFS 4543
Developmental Sexuality
HS 2373
Health Aspects of Human Sexuality
HS 3033
Medical Terminology
NFS 2323
Introduction to Nutrition
PHIL 3073
Bioethics
SPAN 1013
Elementary Spanish I
SPAN 1023
Elementary Spanish II
Total SCHs58-59

 Students must satisfy the 3 SCH global perspectives graduation requirement.

Recommended Plan of Study

First Year
FallTCCNSCHs
BIOL 1113
& BIOL 1111		Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory		 BIOL 1406
& BIOL 1106		4
CHEM 1113
& CHEM 1111		General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I		 CHEM 1311
& CHEM 1111		4
MATH 1303College Algebra MATH 13143
ENG 1013Composition I ENGL 13013
UNIV 1231Learning Frameworks: First-Year Seminar EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200, EDUC 13001
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
BIOL 1123
& BIOL 1121		Principles of Biology II
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory		 BIOL 1407
& BIOL 1107		4
CHEM 1123
& CHEM 1121		General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory II		 CHEM 1312
& CHEM 1112		4
MATH 1703Elementary Statistics I MATH 13423
PSY 1013Introduction to General Psychology PSYC 23013
ENG 1023Composition II ENGL 13023
 SCHs 17
Second Year
FallTCCN
CHEM 2213
& CHEM 2211		Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I		 CHEM 2323
& CHEM 2123		4
PHYS 1133
& PHYS 1131		Principles of Physics I
and Principles of Physics Laboratory I		 PHYS 1301
& PHYS 1101		4
Choose one of the following3
PSY 1603
Developmental Psychology PSYC 2314 
PSY 2513
Abnormal Psychology PSYC 2320 
POLS 2013U.S. National Government GOVT 23053
 SCHs 14
SpringTCCN
BACT 3113
& BACT 3111		General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory		 4
CHEM 3223
& CHEM 3221		Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II		 4
PHYS 1143
& PHYS 1141		Principles of Physics II
and Principles of Physics Laboratory II		 PHYS 1302
& PHYS 1102		4
POLS 2023Texas Government GOVT 23063
 SCHs 15
Third Year
FallTCCN
BIOL 4813
& BIOL 4811		Molecular and Cellular Biology: Gene Expression
and Molecular and Cellular Biology: Gene Expression Laboratory		 4
CHEM 3633
& CHEM 3632		Biochemistry I
and Biochemistry I Laboratory		 5
PHIL 3073Bioethics 3
SOCI 1013Introductory Sociology SOCI 13013
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
BIOL 4823
& BIOL 4821		Molecular and Cellular Biology: Genetics and Inheritance
and Molecular and Cellular Biology: Genetics and Inheritance Laboratory		 4
ZOOL 4243
& ZOOL 4241		Medical Physiology
and Medical Physiology Laboratory		 4
Multicultural Women's Studies CAO Core3
Creative Arts Core3
 SCHs 14
Fourth Year
FallTCCN
BIOL 4681Biology Seminar 1
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-1865 HIST 13013
Biology Elective3
Biology Elective4
Upper-level General Elective3
 SCHs 14
SpringTCCN
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present HIST 13023
Biology Elective4
Upper-level General Elective3
Upper-level General Elective3
Elective 3
 SCHs 16
 Total SCHs:  120