Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science in Biology

The Biology BA and BS at UT Dallas combine classroom study with hands-on laboratory work, authentic research, computational biology, microscopy, molecular techniques, and independent research opportunities. Students can begin with introductory laboratory and course-based research experiences and progress toward advanced laboratory research, where they can apply techniques such as PCR, DNA cloning, fluorescent microscopy, protein purification, and immunohistochemistry.

Students can build practical experience through these program-specific opportunities:

• Introductory Biology Laboratory: BIOL 2281 provides hands-on work in bioinformatics, microscopy, microbial techniques, yeast genetics, gel electrophoresis, DNA isolation, PCR, restriction digests, plasmid mapping, and bacterial transformation.
• Course-Based Undergraduate Research: BIOL 2V81 gives students an authentic research experience within a teaching laboratory, including experiment design, documentation, presentation, bioinformatics, microscopy, microbial techniques, gel electrophoresis, PCR, and bacterial transformation.
• Microbiology Laboratory: BIOL 3203 develops practical skills in aseptic technique, microscopy, staining, microorganism isolation and culture, microbial identification, antibiotic resistance experiments, data analysis, and basic computational skills.
• Undergraduate Research: Students can undertake BIOL 3V91 Undergraduate Research in Biology or other individual research courses under faculty supervision, with research opportunities also available in molecular and cell biology and biochemistry.
• Advanced research techniques: BIOL 4330 gives students practical experience with bacterial and yeast cultures, plasmid DNA isolation, restriction-digest analysis, DNA cloning, PCR, bacterial and yeast transformation, fluorescent microscopy, reporter assays, cancer cell cultures, protein extraction and purification, and immunohistochemistry.
• Specialized research projects: BIOL 4678 provides project-based research on clinical bacterial strains, including genome sequencing and analysis, antibiotic susceptibility testing, bacterial–mammalian cell interactions, DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, RT-PCR, gel electrophoresis, immunofluorescent staining, and microscopy.
• Digital and computational tools: Students use bioinformatics approaches including multiple-sequence alignment, BLAST, literature searches, phylogenetic-tree construction, and data-analysis methods within the biology laboratory curriculum.
• Image-analysis software: BIOL 4358 Molecular Neurology Lab specifically trains students in ImageJ/Fiji for microscopy-based data quantification, alongside Western blotting, protein quantification, mouse genotyping, and scientific writing.
• Research and scientific communication: Advanced research courses can involve laboratory research and scientific writing, while BIOL 2V81 includes experiment documentation and presentation as part of the authentic research experience.
• Honors research: Students pursuing advanced research can complete BIOL 4399 Senior Honors Research for Thesis in Molecular and Cell Biology, involving independent laboratory research and preparation of an honors thesis.
• Research environment: Biology students study within the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, with opportunities to engage in faculty-led research across areas including molecular and cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry, neuroscience, and host-pathogen interactions.
• Internships: The official Biology BA/BS curriculum specifically documents laboratory and research experiences; it does not state that an internship is a required component of the degree. 

The Biology BA/BS at The University of Texas at Dallas can prepare graduates for careers in biological research, healthcare, biotechnology, environmental science, and laboratory-based industries. The program also provides a foundation for professional and graduate education, with opportunities to build research experience through UTD’s biology faculty and related research facilities.

Career roles: Biological Technician, Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Environmental Scientist.

• Career services: UTD’s Career Center supports students with career advising, résumé and cover-letter development, interview preparation, job and internship searches, career fairs, and employer networking opportunities.
• Employment and salary: UTD’s official First Destination Survey provides graduate employment and continuing-education outcomes; the university does not publish a Biology-specific salary figure on the program page, so a Biology-specific salary is not stated.
• University–industry connections: Biology students can benefit from UTD’s research ecosystem and connections across the Bioengineering and Bioscience community, including research involving biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, and biomedical sciences.
• Long-term accreditation value: UT Dallas is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), supporting the academic recognition of the bachelor's degree and its use for further education and professional pathways.
• Graduation outcomes: UTD tracks graduates through its First Destination Survey, covering employment, continuing education, and other post-graduation outcomes. Program-specific Biology outcome figures are not stated on the official undergraduate Biology program information.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Biology BA/BS, graduates can continue into master’s and doctoral study in biology, biological sciences, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, ecology, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, or related fields. The degree can also provide preparation for professional programs such as medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, and other health-profession programs, depending on the student's prerequisite coursework and career goals.