Biology student at the University of St. Thomas - Houston uses microscopeThe living, breathing world around us is full of wonders – some well understood, others still mysterious. If you’re eager to uncover the facts about birth, life and death, consider a future in biology, the science of life and living things.

Experience the best of both worlds: exceptional research opportunities typically found only at much larger universities, plus personal mentorship unique to small classes and labs. You’ll be well-prepared for med school, grad school or a rewarding career in biology.

  • B.S. degree emphasizes research and laboratory experience and requires additional courses in biology.
  • All B.S. students complete a laboratory or field project under the direction of a faculty member, and prepare a scientific research article describing their research.

degree plan

  • Study the rapid and amazing advances of biology today.
  • Exciting life sciences curriculum emphasizes the full range of this dynamic field, from the biology of ecosystems and organisms to cells and molecules, in an evolutionary context.

degree plan

  • Complement any major with a minor in Biology.
  • Learn about population biology and evolution, cell and molecular biology and genetics.1
  • Choose 10 additional credit hours of upper-division Biology courses in your areas of interest.

Minor plan

  • Unique major comprises a concentration of courses in biology, computational biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and physics.
  • Become solidly grounded in the biologically relevant areas of genetics, molecular and cell biology.
  • Get training in both the theoretical and practical aspects behind data manipulation.

degree plan

  • Curriculum is concentrated in the areas of genetics, cell and molecular biology.
  • Emphasizes critical evaluation of scientific data, performance of sound experiments and tools for effective communication.
  • Complete a minimum of 11 labs and spend at least 100 hours working on an independent research project outside class under the supervision of a biology professor.

degree plan

  • Complement any major with a minor in Neuroscience, a multidisciplinary study of the nervous system and brain.
  • Learn about cellular and molecular biology, anatomy and physiology, psychology, statistics and more.
  • Choose 4 credit hours in cognitive psychology, biopsychology or perception.

Minor plan

Prepare for Success in a Health ProfessionIf you want to become a doctor, dentist or other health professional, a Pre-Health Professions Track will ensure you meet every requirement for any Texas medical or dental school application. You’ll work with a dedicated Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) advisor to plan your roadmap to a health professions school. HPAC resources include:

  • Medical & dental school application workshops
  • Personal statement writing 
  • Mock interviews
  • Mock MCAT/DAT

Apply with your stamp of approval in hand. HPAC will write a composite evaluation letter for medical and dental schools, taking into account several letters of evaluation from professors, CV/résumé, grades, test scores and applicant interview questions to give you a collective recommendation.

Turn Your Curiosity into a Career

Leading companies and medical centers are seeking out well-trained scientists now more than ever. The natural world constantly changes, creating an ongoing need for well-educated doctors, medical researchers, therapists, biologists and more.

Conducting in-depth scientific research as a student is the perfect way to showcase your insight and prepare yourself for a professional career in science.

Top grad and research programs like Baylor College of Medicine and MD Anderson Cancer Center compliment us on how well-prepared students are. UST Biology grads who apply to these programs have an acceptance rate of 90%

 

Finally, the underlying purpose of undergraduate research is to prepare students for the professional world — public, private or academic. Experience with the research tools and practice of their discipline gives UST graduates firsthand knowledge and makes our alumni more competitive in the marketplace.

Do Big Things
in the Center for Science and Health Professions

The Center features cutting-edge equipment typically found only at much larger universities, including the highly innovative Anatomage table.

Learn Science By Doing Science

Two students do research in University of St. Thomas - Houston biology labUST Biology faculty closely mentor every student to give you the best foundation possible for the rest of your life. We encourage you to think, experiment and discover science in a way that prepares you for the real world. Our students exhibit exceptional critical thinking skills, a strong ethical code and a passion for exploration.

When you learn science by doing science, you get a fulfilling job in your field. We give you the tools to rock the science field in your own way. Most students score higher than the national average on the MCAT, putting them at the top of recruitment lists.

Christopher Anderson, University of St. Thomas - Houston biology graduate

The professors at UST gave in-depth lectures, requiring us to apply that knowledge during labs. This made us think critically, like scientists do.

Christopher Anderson B.S. in Biology, 2015

STEM SUCCESS CENTER

Toni Martinez serving as peer mentor during instructional session at STEM success center on the campus of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TexasThe more traditional STEM professions (physician, dentist, pharmacist, etc.) will require you to continue your education beyond UST. But there are other STEM jobs that do not require an advanced degree. They include:

  • food science
  • research or pharmacy tech
  • analysts
  • science communication and journalism
  • oil and gas
  • environmental science

The STEM Success Center can help you set goals and develop a career plan.

You also have access to the center's peer mentoring program. Peer mentors hold regular sessions for test review, one-on-one help and study skills with subjects including biology, chemistry, math, physics and engineering.

Students indicate the program has helped them score 25+ points higher on their exams. Learn more by visiting the center's Facebook Account for the UST STEM CENTER  or Twitter Account for the UST STEM CENTER  page.