CIP Code: 260101
Program Information
Students completing a degree in Biology may choose a concentration based upon their career goals. Students are urged to consult with advisors in selecting the concentration that is best suited to their post-graduate career. The course work in the biological sciences concentration satisfies the course requirements for entrance to most graduate, medical, and dental schools, as well as other medical fields if certain electives are taken.
Occasionally, students are accepted to and enroll in medical, dental, or other professional school before completion of the bachelor’s degree. Such a student may make application to receive a BS degree in Biology from Louisiana Tech University after successfully completing one year of professional school provided the following criteria are met: (1) completion of all General Education Requirements, and (2) completion of 90 semester credit hours to include BISC 1303 - BISC 1331 , BISC 3113 , BISC 3121 , Elective in area of Cell & Molecular Biology, Elective in area of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology, an additional lab (not including BISC 1311 , BISC 1331 , or BISC 3121 ), BISC 4801 ; CHEM 1002 -CHEM 1041 or CHEM 1073 , CHEM 1083 , CHEM 1031 , CHEM 1041 ; PHYS 2093 , PHYS 2103 , PHYS 2611 , PHYS 2621 , Statistics elective.
To graduate with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology, students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all Biological Sciences (BISC) courses applied toward degree requirements. In addition to the required BISC coursework, students must complete a minimum of 31 credit hours of Biological Sciences electives. These electives must include at least 6 credit hours in Cell and Molecular Biology, 6 credit hours in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, and three laboratory courses, with at least one laboratory course at the 3000 or 4000 level. A minimum of 17 credit hours must be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level in Biological Sciences electives.
In addition to the two degrees offered by the School of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University can prepare students for entry to professional programs offered at other institutions.
NOTE: Please be aware that the pre-professional course work necessary for admission to these programs is specified by the admitting institution, NOT Louisiana Tech. Therefore, it is the responsibility of each student to obtain a catalog, or printout of required course work from the web site of the school he/she plans to attend and determine which courses are required prior to entering that institution. The student can then “customize” course work in consultation with an advisor in the School of Biological Sciences to fulfill the requirements of a particular institution.
Examples of such programs are Pre-Cardiopulmonary Science; Pre-Occupational Therapy; Pre-Optometry; Pre-Pharmacy; Pre-Physician Assistant; Pre-Physical Therapy; Pre-Radiologic Technology.
Admission to professional phases of these programs is on a competitive basis. Furthermore, it should be noted that although some programs will consider students after 2 years of course work at Louisiana Tech, in reality many students are admitted only after completion of a baccalaureate degree. If there is any question about this, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the admitting professional program for clarification.
REMEMBER: It is the student’s responsibility to determine what is required for admission to the particular institution in which he/she is interested.