The Pre-Professional Track in the biology major broadly explores organismal structure and function in the context of preparing students for health-related professional programs. The courses in this track give the students a broad view of both normal and abnormal organismal function, with courses specializing in neuroscience, physiology, microbiology, and molecular biology. Independent research in this track will be an opportunity for students to work with science professionals within their desired field. Through completion of this track, students can fulfill prerequisite and recommended courses for most pre-professional health programs. Students who excel in this track can go on to enroll in a variety of professional programs, including medical, dental, optometry, veterinary, and physician’s assistant programs. A biology degree with a pre-professional health emphasis also prepares students for careers as research scientists, research lab technicians, microbiologists, genetic counselors, biology teachers, and many other general biology careers.
12 upper-level guided elective hours out of the required 13- 15 hours of guided electives must be completed from the courses listed below. Of those 12 hours, a maximum of 3 hours can be independent research (//). The remaining 1-3 credit hours may come from the list of approved electives for the general biology track, which may include an additional 3 hours of independent research (//). A maximum of 6 credit hours of independent research can be counted toward the Biology degree. Of the 13-15 hours of total upper-level electives required, 9 credit hours must have a BIO prefix.