Bachelors of Arts in Biological Sciences

Biology is an engaging popular subject at many universities for a variety of reasons: it is a science that is in an exciting phase of development; it prepares students for careers in challenging and appealing fields such as human and veterinary medicine, environmental sciences, and biotechnology; and it deals with the inherently interesting questions that arise when we try to understand ourselves and the living world around us. Many of the decisions that society faces today deals with the opportunities and problems that biology has placed before us. The major in biological sciences is available to students enrolled in either the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences or the College of Arts and Sciences. Students work with faculty, staff, and student advisors in selecting their concentration and in choosing the course options that each offers. The Office of Undergraduate Biology (OUB) in 216 Stimson Hall oversees advising for biology majors and also coordinates the extensive undergraduate biology research program, including the biology research honors program, and the Biology Scholars Program. The biology major is designed to enable students to acquire the foundations in physical and life sciences necessary to understand modern biology and to pursue advanced studies in a specific area of biology. Concentrations include: animal physiology; biochemistry; computational biology; ecology and evolutionary biology; general biology; genetics, genomics and development; human nutrition; insect biology; marine biology; molecular and cell biology; microbiology; neurobiology and behavior; plant biology; and systematics and biotic diversity. Students interested in the marine sciences should consult the Shoals Marine Laboratory office, 215 Stimson Hall, (607) 255-3717, for academic advising.