Program type:

Major
Format:

On Campus
Est. time to complete:

4 years
Credit Hours:

120
Explore life in all its forms and increase your knowledge of the natural world by earning a degree in Biology from the University of North Texas.
Modern biology encompasses the study of all aspects of living systems, from the molecular basis of genetic inheritance to the interactions between organisms and the environment. Our comprehensive curriculum allows you to earn either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

Why Earn a Biology Degree?

Undergraduate students have opportunities to investigate topics through hands-on experience.

You can explore a wide variety of areas, such as:

  • Aquatic toxicology
  • Cell biology
  • Ecology and evolution
  • Forensic biology
  • Laboratory techniques used in research
  • Microscopic organisms, such as bacteria
  • Plant and animal structure and function (physiology)
Marketable Skills
  • Oral and written communication
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Teamwork
  • Basic scientific computational competencies
  • In-depth knowledge of biological sciences

Biology Degree Highlights

Research opportunities are available through the National Genomics Research Initiative, the UNT-Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Program and the FOCUS program.
Additional research and learning opportunities are provided through our student chapters of the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society or the Alpha Epsilon Delta Health Pre-Professional Honor Society.
Our collaborative program with the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth combines college and medical school if you’re interested in a medical career.
Our faculty members are dedicated to high-quality teaching and research and have been honored by the American Society for Microbiology, National Academy of Sciences and National Science Foundation, among others.
The Life Sciences Complex, which has Gold-level LEED certification for sustainability, is a living lab with open research spaces that feature rooftop greenhouses.
The Teach North Texas Program helps students interested in teaching science achieve teacher certification.

Career Outlook

The Biology program is designed to prepare students for careers in biological sciences and graduate and professional programs, including medical school. As a Biology major, you may qualify for a career in:

  • Environmental management and conservation
  • Government
  • Higher education
  • Industry (biotechnology, pharmaceutical sales or laboratory technician)
  • Research
  • Secondary school education

The major can also prepare you to enter a dental, medical or veterinary school or a training program to become a health care professional.

Biology Degree Courses You Could Take

Bacterial Diversity and Physiology (3 hrs)
Comparative survey of bacteria. Growth, ecology, metabolism, energy transformations, differentiation and adaptive mechanisms
Genetics (3 hrs)
Genetic structure and inheritance in viruses, bacteria and higher organisms with emphasis on gene biochemistry, Mendelian genetics and population genetics
Principles of Ecology (3 hrs)
Ecological and evolutionary approach to understanding distribution, abundance, dispersion and form-function diversity of organisms. Focus on organisms, their physiological and life history adaptations and populations
Comparative Animal Physiology (3 hrs)
Comparison of structure and physiological function in a wide variety of animals. Emphasis on thermoregulation and on respiratory, circulatory, excretory, endocrine and digestive systems
Physical Chemistry for Life Science (4 hrs)
Fundamental principles of physical chemistry applied to biological systems; thermodynamics, equilibrium and bioenergetics, ionic equilibria, pH, buffers, ionic strength and electrical properties of amino acids and proteins; kinetics, enzyme catalysis and inhibition; physical properties of biological macromolecules and transport properties in living systems
Biodiversity and Conservation of Animals (3 hrs)
Focuses on basic principles of form, function, evolution, biogeography and ecology of animals, as well as modern topics related to the theory and practice of conservation

Learn More About UNT

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