Bachelor of Arts Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Houston

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology at the University of Houston provides a broad life-science education combining biology with chemistry, mathematics, physics, advanced biology electives, and a foreign-language component, making it suitable for students interested in biological sciences, healthcare, research, education, or further study. Students build from foundational biological sciences into areas such as genetics, cell biology, human physiology, ecology and evolution, while completing advanced biology coursework and an NSM capstone experience.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIOL 1306/1106 Biology for Science Majors I and Lab and BIOL 1307/1107 Biology for Science Majors II and Lab, alongside CHEM 1311/1111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I and CHEM 1312/1112 Fundamentals of Chemistry II. MATH 2413 Calculus I and MATH 2414 Calculus II develop the quantitative skills needed for further biological and scientific study.

Year 2: Students progress into more specialized science with BIOL 3301 Genetics, BIOL 3306, and BCHS 3304 Biochemistry, while continuing Organic Chemistry I and Physics I with laboratory components. The BA structure also introduces foreign-language study, giving students additional flexibility alongside their scientific coursework.

Year 3: Students deepen their understanding of biological systems through advanced options such as BIOL 3324 Human Physiology, BIOL 4206 Ecology and Evolution, BIOL 4272 Cell Biology, and BIOL 4374 Cell Biology, together with advanced biology electives. Physics II, foreign language, government and history coursework broaden the academic experience beyond the major.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced biological study, scientific communication and integration of knowledge through BIOL 3311 Advanced Methods & Writing in Genetics Lab and BIOL 4103 Integration of Biological Knowledge. Students also complete approved advanced biology electives and the NSM Capstone, which can be fulfilled through options including a senior research project, senior honors thesis, approved minor, or designated interdisciplinary capstone coursework.

Focus areas: Genetics, Cell Biology, Human Physiology, Ecology and Evolution, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Advanced Biology, Biological Research

Learning outcomes: Biological knowledge, laboratory skills, scientific writing, genetics and cell biology methods, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, integration of biological concepts, research preparation

Professional alignment (accreditation): The University of Houston is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The university's published programmatic accreditation list does not identify a separate programmatic accreditation for the Biology B.A.; AAQEP accreditation applies to the Biology B.S. when pursued as an educator-preparation program, not to the Biology B.A.

Reputation (employability rankings): In 2026, the University of Houston reported a No. 4 ranking among Texas universities in the QS World University Rankings, while the university was also ranked No. 52 among U.S. public institutions by U.S. News & World Report and placed in the top 1.3% of more than 21,000 universities worldwide by CWUR. These are university-level rankings rather than rankings specifically for the Biology B.A.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Houston’s B.A. in Biology combines laboratory instruction with opportunities to participate in faculty-led research, helping students develop practical skills in experimental design, hypothesis testing, scientific methods, problem-solving, and technical writing. Biology students can also gain experience in research laboratories and work independently or as part of a team, with opportunities ranging from laboratory experiments to field-based research.

Students can put their biology knowledge into practice through these program-specific opportunities:

Hands-on laboratory training: Biology laboratory courses use a team-based approach to teach laboratory procedures, protocols, experimental design, hypothesis testing, and technical writing, with students exposed to biological technologies comparable to those used in modern research laboratories.
Microbiology laboratory: Students can take BIOL 2120 and BIOL 2121, the department's microbiology laboratory courses, coordinated through the Office of Laboratory Instruction.
Cell biology laboratory: BIOL 4272 provides laboratory experience in cell biology and is coordinated through the department's Cell Biology laboratory division.
Ecology and evolution laboratories: BIOL 4206 and BIOL 3330 provide practical laboratory instruction within the Ecology and Evolution division.
Undergraduate research: Students can join faculty research laboratories as volunteers, work-study students, or for academic research credit, with projects ranging from assisting graduate researchers to designing and implementing independent projects.
Senior research projects: The B.A. curriculum can satisfy its NSM capstone requirement through a senior research project or senior honors thesis, providing an opportunity to complete substantial independent research.
Research facilities: Biology students can participate in research within facilities such as the Biology & Biochemistry Imaging Core, which provides access to advanced microscopy including confocal microscopy, Ca²⁺ imaging, FRAP, and FRET.
Genomics and molecular research: The university's UH Seq-N-Edit Core and Institute for Molecular Biology are among the research resources associated with the Department of Biology and Biochemistry.
Advanced research equipment: The university's research facilities include technologies such as PCR, real-time PCR, sequencing, plate readers, spectrophotometers, centrifugation systems, and advanced microscopy, supporting modern biological and biomedical research.
Field and external research: NSM undergraduates can conduct research at locations including the UH Coastal Center, Texas Medical Center, and industry laboratories, with opportunities spanning fieldwork, wet-lab experiments, and marine research.
Research presentation: The Stutzenberger Undergraduate Research Endowment can support Biology students with research supplies or travel to regional or national meetings to present research through oral or poster presentations.
Research seminars: The department encourages undergraduates to participate in its seminar series, featuring outside speakers, faculty members, and research associates.
Laboratory facilities: The Science Teaching Laboratory Building (STL) houses undergraduate biology teaching laboratories on its first three floors, while its fourth floor is dedicated to research laboratories. The university's Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) also contains state-of-the-art research laboratories and a high-tech clean room.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The University of Houston’s Bachelor of Arts in Biology prepares students with a broad foundation in biological sciences that can support careers in laboratory, environmental, healthcare, education, and related fields. The program also provides a pathway for students planning to pursue professional or graduate education in areas such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or biological sciences.

Career roles: Laboratory Technician, Biological Science Technician, Environmental Technician, Science Teacher:

Career services: The University Career Services helps students with career exploration, résumé and cover-letter development, interviewing, job-search strategies, career fairs, and connections with employers.
Employment and salary: The university provides career-outcome information through its First Destination Survey, but a program-specific employment rate or salary figure for the BA in Biology is not stated on the official program page.
Research and industry exposure: Biology students can pursue undergraduate research with faculty across areas such as molecular biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, microbiology, and environmental biology, helping them build experience relevant to scientific and biotechnology careers.
Industry connections: UH's Biotechnology Center supports research and collaboration involving biotechnology and life-science applications, providing an environment connected to biomedical and biotechnology research.
Accreditation value: The University of Houston is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This institutional accreditation supports the academic recognition of the degree for employment and further study.
Graduation outcomes: Biology graduates can use the degree for entry-level employment in biological and laboratory settings or continue into professional and graduate programs. The university also offers advising resources to help students plan their academic progression and career goals.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's or doctoral study in biology, biological sciences, ecology, molecular biology, or related life-science disciplines. The BA also provides a foundation for professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and other health-professions programs, depending on completion of the required prerequisite coursework.