Program Information
Students completing a degree in Biology 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 130 -BISC 133 , BISC 310 , BISC 313 , and BISC 320 ; CHEM 100 -CHEM 104 or CHEM 107 and CHEM 108 ; CHEM 250 -CHEM 254 ; CHEM 351 and CHEM 352 ; Statistics elective.
To graduate with a BS degree in Biology, the student must earn a grade of “C” or better in all Biological Sciences courses counted toward graduation requirements.
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.