BS in Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Texas A And M University Kingsville

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biology at Texas A&M University–Kingsville provides a broad foundation in biological sciences while allowing students to tailor electives toward areas such as biomedical science, environmental and field biology, allied health, or graduate study. Students develop their knowledge through laboratory and field-based learning in areas including cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, physiology, and microbiology, making the program suitable for students interested in research, health professions, environmental science, or further study.

Curriculum Structure

Freshman Year: Students begin with the fundamentals of biology and chemistry through General Biology I and General Biology Laboratory I, followed by General Biology II and General Biology Laboratory II. Supporting courses such as Gen Inorganic Chemistry I & II and Rhetoric and Composition build the scientific and communication foundation needed for advanced study.

Sophomore Year: The second year broadens students' scientific preparation through Biology electives, Trigonometry, communications, government, creative arts, and social and behavioral sciences. Students begin using their elective space to shape the degree around their academic and career interests.

Junior Year: Students move into upper-level biological science with Genetics, Animal Physiology or Cellular Physiology, Evolutionary Theory, and Ecology. This stage develops deeper understanding of heredity, physiological systems, evolutionary change, and the relationships between organisms and their environments.

Senior Year: The final year emphasizes advanced biology, scientific communication, and quantitative skills through Seminar (WI) and a choice of Elementary Statistics, Biostatistics, or Statistical Methods, alongside advanced biology electives. Students planning graduate study can strengthen their preparation with Organic Chemistry I & II and College Physics I & II, while those interested in environmental and field biology can select courses such as Plant Taxonomy, Ornithology, Herpetology, or Mammalogy.

Focus areas

Biomedical and health sciences, genetics and molecular biology, ecology and environmental biology, organismal and field biology, physiology, microbiology, evolutionary biology, research.

Learning outcomes

Laboratory skills, biological analysis, genetics, ecological understanding, scientific research, quantitative analysis, scientific communication, field-based investigation, and preparation for graduate or professional study.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Institutional accreditation: Texas A&M University–Kingsville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Biology B.S. on its official program page.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Official university employment indicator: Texas A&M University–Kingsville states that it ranks #1 in South Texas for highest earning potential after graduation; this is a university-level claim rather than a Biology B.S.-specific employability ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biology at Texas A&M University–Kingsville emphasizes learning by doing, with students gaining practical experience through laboratory courses, field-based learning, faculty-mentored research, and independent research projects. The program provides access to research-active faculty working across genetics, cancer biology, microbiology, infectious disease, ecology, GIS, evolution, ornithology, herpetology, mammalogy, plant biology, and ecological modeling, allowing students to build practical skills aligned with their interests.

Students can build this hands-on experience through:

General Biology Laboratories: BIOL 1106 and BIOL 1107 provide practical training in laboratory techniques, data collection and analysis, experimental methods, observational techniques, morphology, physiology, reproduction, and ecology.
Undergraduate Research: Students can work directly with faculty mentors on research projects and enroll in BIOL 4304 — Research Projects in Biology for undergraduate research credit. Current research areas include neuroscience, genetics, cancer biology, microbiology, infectious disease, ecology, and forensic science.
Molecular and Biomedical Research Facilities: The Natural Toxins Research Center (NNTRC) includes instrumentation labs, a tissue culture laboratory, molecular biology laboratory, computer/server facilities, HPLC systems, automated electrophoresis systems, PCR equipment, centrifuges, and ultra-low freezers, supporting hands-on biomedical and molecular research.
Field-Based Learning: Students interested in environmental and field biology can combine Biology coursework with Animal Science, Range and Wildlife, or Geographic Information Systems, alongside organismal courses such as Plant Taxonomy, Ornithology, Herpetology, and Mammalogy.
Wildlife Research Experience: The university's South Pasture Research Facility functions as a living laboratory where students gain hands-on experience with wildlife surveys, habitat management, vegetation sampling, and field research in South Texas ecosystems.
Research and Internship Opportunities: Biology students can pursue opportunities such as Texas Parks and Wildlife internships, USDA Agricultural Research Service internships, Texas Sea Grant opportunities, and summer research programs, providing exposure to professional research and environmental settings.
Real Research Data and Field Equipment: The department specifically highlights opportunities for students to use department laboratories, field gear, and real datasets, participate in funded research, and present their findings at symposiums and conferences.
Student Support and Career Preparation: Biology students have access to TAMUK Career Services, including resume and cover-letter assistance, mock interviews, graduate-school preparation, and testing guidance, while faculty support students interested in research and conference presentations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Biology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville gives students a broad foundation in biological sciences while allowing them to build toward careers in health professions, research, ecology, conservation, and related scientific fields. Students benefit from faculty mentorship, undergraduate research, field experiences, and pre-professional advising, creating pathways into employment or advanced study.

Typical job roles: Biological Laboratory Technician, Research Assistant, Environmental Scientist, Wildlife or Conservation Specialist

Career preparation: The Office of Career Engagement connects students with employers through career events, while Javelina Careers and Handshake provide access to on-campus and off-campus employment opportunities. Biology students also receive pre-health advising covering prerequisite coursework, entrance-exam timelines such as MCAT/DAT, volunteering, shadowing, and research experiences.
Research and professional experience: Students can work directly with faculty researchers through BIOL 4304 – Research Projects in Biology, gaining hands-on experience and opportunities to contribute to research in areas such as genetics, neuroscience, microbiology, cancer biology, ecology, and infectious disease.
Internship opportunities: Biology students can access opportunities including Texas Parks and Wildlife internships, Texas Sea Grant Community Engaged Internships, USDA-ARS internships, UT San Antonio health research opportunities, and TAMU Entomology summer research.
Employment and salary figures: TAMUK's published strategic-plan data reports that 79.8% of graduates were working or enrolled in AY 2021, while the university's AY 2023 data reports a $64,200 median salary for bachelor's graduates with 0–5 years of experience. These figures are university-wide rather than specific to the BS in Biology.
University–industry and research connections: Biology students can participate in grant-supported projects involving USDA, NIH, and NSF, as well as research and internship opportunities connected with organizations such as Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Sea Grant, USDA-ARS, and UT San Antonio.
Long-term accreditation value: Texas A&M University-Kingsville is accredited by SACSCOC to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees, providing institutional accreditation that supports the recognition and continued academic standing of the bachelor's degree.
Graduation outcomes: The BS in Biology can prepare graduates for medical, dental, pharmacy, allied health, research, environmental, wildlife, and education pathways. The university also reports that biology graduates progress into graduate and professional programs, with the department specifically supporting preparation for medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, and other advanced programs.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Biology, students can progress to the M.S. in Biology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, choosing thesis, research-project, or course-only pathways and pursuing research areas such as molecular biology, genetics, physiology, neurobiology, cancer biology, ecology, wildlife biology, and environmental science. The MS can in turn support progression to Ph.D. programs, medical/dental/veterinary/pharmacy school, biotechnology and biomedical careers, public health, forensic science, environmental conservation, or research and teaching.