Bachelor of Science in Biology Southwest Baptist University

A bachelor's degree in biology from SBU is a great foundation for a variety of careers within the field of biology. As an SBU biology major, you will choose one of the following three concentrations to tailor your education based on your personal and professional goals:

• Biomedical Science — will prepare you for graduate school in a variety of academic disciplines or to pursue advanced studies in health-related careers such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary science, or becoming a physician's assistant
• Environmental Biology/Field Biology — will focus you on ecology, wildlife biology, and botany, and will prepare you for careers such as working for the Department of Conservation or Department of Natural Resources
• General Biology — will allow you to choose biology elective courses to customize your degree based on your interests

The SBU Advantage

• Get paid to do research in the summer as an undergraduate student through participating in SBU's Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program.
• Learn from our faculty, all of whom have earned Ph.D.'s, and teach all labs and lectures personally.
• Thrive in a small class and lab sizes that facilitate deeper learning and quality interactions between faculty and students. This will prove advantageous to you when securing reference letters for medical and graduate schools.
• SBU biology graduates have historically performed the best in SBU's Doctor of Physical Therapy program. 100% of SBU biology graduates who then move on to complete the SBU DPT program pass the physical therapy board exam!

Freshman

Fall Semester

• BIO 1111 Biology Colloquium 1
• BIO 1004 Principles of Biology 4
• ENG 1113 English Composition I 3
• MAT 1143 College Algebra 3
• BIB 1013 Old Testament History 3

Total hours 15

Spring Semester

• UNI 1121 Critical Thinking 1
• BIO 2134 General Zoology 4
• ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
• CIS 1103 Computer and Information Management 3
• BIB 1023 New Testament History 3

Total hours 14

Sophomore

Fall Semester

• Biology Elective 4
• CHE 1115 General Chemistry I 5
• COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
• SPF 2012 Introduction to Spiritual Formation 2
• PSY 1013 General Psychology 3

Total hours 17

Spring Semester

• Biology Elective 4
• CHE 1125 General Chemistry II 5
• HIS 2213/2223 U.S. History I or II 3
• KIN 1162 Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness 2
• Elective 2-3

Total hours 16-17

Junior

Fall Semester

• BIO 3012 Methods in Scientific Research 2
• BIO 2234 General Botany 4
• CHE 3304 Organic Chemistry I 4
• FAR 10_3 Intro. to Art, Fine Arts, Music or Theatre 3
• Elective 3-4

Total hours 16-17

Spring Semester

• BIO ___4 Biology Elective 4
• CHE 3314 Organic Chemistry II 4
• Cultural Studies Elective 2-3
• Elective 2-3
• Elective 3-4

Total hours 15-18

Senior

Fall Semester

• BIO 3324 Genetics 4
• BIO 4471 Seminar in Biology 1
• Biology Elective 4
• SCF 3402 Biology Through the Eyes of Faith 2
• POL 1113 American Government and Politics 3
• Elective 3-4

Total hours 17-18

Spring Semester

• BIO 3334 Ecology 4
• BIO 4224 Cell and Molecular Biology 4
• ECO 2003 LIFE Economics 3
• Elective 2-3
• Elective 3-4

Total hours 16-18

This is a proposed guideline. Please check the catalog and see your advisor for your final degree requirements.

Biology graduates are equipped to pursue a variety of careers including:

• Conservationist
• Dentist
• Doctor
• Lab researcher
• Optometrist
• Pharmacist
• Physical Therapist
• Physician's Assistant
• Research/Academics
• Veterinarian

Graduate Schools

SBU biology graduates have pursued graduate and professional education at institutions across the country including:

• SBU's own Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program
• Emory University
• University of Illinois
• University of Kansas School of Medicine
• University of Missouri
• University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Tennessee College of Medicine