St. Edward’s offers both BS and BA degrees in Biology, with multiple areas of focus depending on a student’s desired outcome. In addition to the major program requirements, all students must satisfy the general education requirements. Talk with your success coach and faculty advisor about which courses are right for you.

1. Bachelor of Arts in Biology

• Primarily designed for students pursuing a double major or admission to some professional schools.
• Provides a solid foundation in biology with more latitude in the choice of general electives.
• An example of a course you will take is Molecular Genetics, which offers a study of the structure and function of DNA as the genetic material and focuses on details surrounding the “central dogma of molecular biology,” including DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing and translation, as well as mechanisms of control and regulation of expression of genetic information.

General Biology Concentration

View and download the full BA in Biology - General Biology degree plan (PDF)

Allied Health Concentration

View and download the full BA in Biology - Allied Health degree plan (PDF)

BA in Biology + MS in Clinical Laboratory Science (3+2) Program

Earn two degrees in five years: a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from St. Edward’s University, and a Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from The University of Texas Medical Branch. View and download the full 3+2 Program degree plan (PDF)

2. Bachelor of Science in Biology

Health Professions Concentration

• Designed for students who intend to pursue further education and a career in the health professions such as medicine, veterinary medicine, physician assistant or dentistry.
• Degree requirements include the prerequisites for most professional schools.
• An example of a course you will take is Evolution, an in-depth analysis of evolution via natural selection using examples from all major classes of organisms. Emphasis is placed on the mechanism and resulting products of evolutionary change. Evolutionary change is examined at the molecular, organismal and population levels of organization.

View and download the full BS in Biology - Health Professions degree plan (PDF)

Biology Professions Concentration

• Designed to provide a strong background in biology and research.
• Prepares students for education at the graduate level and preparation leading to careers outside the health professions. Students might study molecular biology, cellular biology, developmental biology, microbiology, neurobiology, zoology, botany, ecology or other fields.
• An example of a course you will take is Research in Biology, where students work collaboratively with a faculty member to conduct a research study. Many students go on to present their work at on-campus symposia as well as local, regional and national meetings.

View and download the full BS in Biology - Biology Professions degree plan (PDF)

What You Will Learn and Skills You Will Gain

Majoring in biology provides an incredibly broad understanding of the world around you. You’ll learn the fundamental principles of biology at work in genes, cells, organ systems and even ecosystems. 

Your classroom studies and experiential learning activities prepare you with a number of transferable skills that are valuable across many workplaces and employment scenarios, including:

• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Adaptability
• Research
• Developing, testing and iterating on a hypothesis
• Literature review
• Data collection and analysis
• Laboratory research and safety techniques
• Understanding and communicating, both orally and in writing, complex scientific and medical topics

Experiential Learning 

Hands-on learning is a strong component of the Biology major, which is seen in courses like these:

Students in the Introductory Biology labs have collected samples from Bee Creek at Wild Basin Creative Research Center, to analyze chlorophyll (a measure of algal blooms), levels of nutrients like nitrates, and abundance of macroinvertebrates as a measure of water quality.

In Entomology, which focuses on studying the evolutionary adaptations and incredible biodiversity found among insect groups, you’ll learn how to collect, preserve and identify insects in the field.

In Cell Biology, you’ll work in groups on a semester-long project to collect and analyze your own data to address a complex research question. You’ll have the advantage of using the Fluoview FV3000 laser scanning confocal microscope, a state-of-the-art $200,000 piece of equipment the university purchased with a National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Grant. The final project is a scientific seminar in which you’ll present the results of your work to an audience of faculty from the department.

If you’re on the health professions track, as a junior or senior you’ll choose the schools where you want to apply, put your application together and write your personal statement, and work with our Health Professions Advisory Committee to prepare for the interview process.

Research 

Biology majors at St. Edward’s have the opportunity to work on research with their professors over the summer and during the school year. By working on projects with faculty, you’ll learn about the process of research and develop your lab skills. Students often emerge from these projects with publishable research.

Students have worked with professors studying the roundworm C. elegans, which is often used as a model organism, to study the process of autophagy, an organism’s waste-removal system, and to study neurological development.

Biology majors have worked alongside their professors on a research project that examines how moving a colony affects honeybees’ stress response and ability to fight off infection. They helped maintain several colonies of bees on campus and analyzed the immune systems of bees they collected from the hives. One student also studied how exposure to commonly used pesticides affects bees’ immune systems.

Students have presented their research and won awards at conferences including

• Society for Neuroscience
• Texas Academy of Science
• The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science National Diversity in STEM Conference.
• McNair Scholars Research Conferences
• Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Students
• TriBeta Biological Society Regional Research Conference

Biology majors have also been selected for competitive Research Experiences for Undergraduates and for the LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes’ Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at The University of Texas at Austin and Dell Medical School.

Wild Basin Creative Research Center is a 227-acre wilderness preserve located in West Austin and managed by St. Edward’s in coordination with local government entities. The preserve offers opportunities to study the natural world in a beautiful setting. Students have worked on environmental research projects at Wild Basin that include using motion-triggered wildlife cameras to document species diversity; measuring water quality in Bee Creek; documenting the bird species that live within the preserve and recording their songs to see how they change in the presence of human activity; and analyzing the microbial communities in soil across the preserve.

Internships 

Pre-health professions students often shadow doctors or volunteer at local hospitals. In addition, Biology majors have completed internships focused on environmental stewardship, clinical health, animal behavior, and medical and pharmaceutical research at the following organizations:

• CD Doyle Clinic, a free clinic run by Dell Medical School students in downtown Austin
• Regarding Cancer, which provides free support services to anyone affected by cancer
• San Antonio Zoo
• Asuragen, which develops diagnostic tests for people with cancer and genetic diseases
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston
• Macromoltek, a computational drug discovery company dedicated to the advancement of antibody drug development
• The Nature Conservancy

STEM students at St. Edward’s can access paid internships offered by our National Science Foundation-funded Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4). For more information on these internship programs, please visit the Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4).

Student Organizations

The St. Edward’s chapter of the Texas Academy of Science supports student research, including presentation and publication opportunities. Members also tutor in the sciences and complete other service projects.

Students with strong academic achievement in the sciences are eligible to join the St. Edward’s chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the National Biological Honor Society.

Students for Sustainability educates the St. Edward’s community about eco-friendly practices and works with the St. Edward’s administration to implement environmental initiatives. Members help maintain the campus garden, learn about biking and public transportation, encourage fellow students to reduce their use of plastic water bottles, and have clothing swaps and upcycled craft nights.

The American Medical Student Association matches freshmen with upperclassman mentors in the same major. Together, members learn from guest speakers — like physicians and Peace Corps Volunteers — and complete volunteer projects.

Pre-health students have participated in the Making Equity Standard in Healthcare (MESH) mentorship day at Dell Medical School in Austin. In this program, current medical students advise undergraduates, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, about how to become stronger candidates for medical school. The Saturday program includes a tour of the school, information about the medical school’s distinctive curriculum and its work with the Austin community, and a Q&A with students.

Pre-health professions students can take advantage of annual events sponsored by the Career and Professional Development office. These include on-campus meetings with representatives from graduate programs as well as workshops to prepare you for specific aspects of the application process. 

Health sciences schools appreciate applicants who are curious and willing to get out of their comfort zones. St. Edward’s offers opportunities to volunteer with a broad variety of people and learn about the social forces that influence health and access to medicine. Explore our many service programs.

A minor in Biology allows students to explore an interest in biological sciences, while developing skills in scientific reasoning and literacy. A student, in consultation with a Biological Sciences faculty member, develops a customized group of elective courses to complete the minor. A minimum of nine of those elective hours must be from upper-division classes in accordance with university requirements. Total minor hours: 21

Required Courses:

• General Biology I
• General Biology I Lab
• General Biology II
• General Biology II Lab
• Molecular Genetics
• Biology Electives (BIOL 3000+, 10 hours)

Are you a current student? Contact your advisor for the next steps on declaring your major or minor.

At St. Edward’s University, all curricula in the Biological Sciences are founded upon evolutionary theory. As a subject of scientific inquiry, the theory of evolution provides opportunities for testing hypotheses that strengthen our understanding of the processes that account for the diversity of life on Earth, and existing data overwhelmingly support the theory as scientifically sound. We regard any non-scientific or teleological attempts that distract from the scientific processes that underlie science as, at best, a diversion to our mission to provide exceptional education to our students in the Biological Sciences. We stand with the numerous scientific societies that have issued statements on the subject of evolution and intelligent design, confirming the demonstrated success of the former and rejecting the scientific viability of the latter. 

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Biological Sciences webpage.

Major Requirements: The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry requires 71 hours of major courses, which include a combination of chemistry, biology, math and physics courses. 

General Education Requirements: In addition to the major program requirements, all students must satisfy the general education requirements. Talk with your success coach and faculty advisor about which courses are right for you.

View and download the full degree plan for Biochemistry.

What You Will Learn

You’ll learn to utilize chemical knowledge to study biological processes at the molecular level — including structure, function and regulation — applicable to everything from metabolic disorders to better understanding how chemicals promote or inhibit growth.

A few examples of courses students take in this major:

• Organic Chemistry II –  Principles of designing multi-step synthesis schemes. Chemistry of aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, aromatic compounds, amines, amides, and proteins.
• Biochemistry I – Survey of the fundamentals of biochemistry. Topics include the structure of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates, catalysis, kinetics, bioenergetics, and information pathways. Gain an overview of the field through in-depth coverage of protein structure and enzyme catalysis.
• Cell Biology – Investigate the structure of the eukaryotic cell, the trafficking of macromolecules within cells, the mechanisms by which cell division is regulated, how cells communicate, and the biogenesis of cancer. The laboratory emphasizes current techniques utilized to study cell biology.

Skills You Will Gain

Upon completing the Biochemistry program, you’ll be ready to:

• Search, access, contextualize and effectively summarize readings of discipline-specific literature.
• Apply appropriate experimental techniques and instruments in the context of designing and executing an experiment.
• Use quantitative tools for data collection and analysis.
• Explain the purpose of general laboratory safety guidelines and their implementation in various lab settings.
• Communicate the findings of independent research in a manner appropriate to the audience, including oral presentations and the writing of experiments, research manuscripts, poster presentations, and research proposals.
• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate and arrive at a common goal within a team. 

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Chemistry webpage.

Major Requirements: The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science major requires 96–97 hours of Forensic Science major courses, including courses in subjects such as Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. 

General Education Requirements: In addition to the major program requirements, all students must satisfy the general education requirements. Talk with your success coach and faculty advisor about which courses are right for you.

View and download the full degree plan for the BS in Forensic Science major (PDF). This helpful course map shows the sequence of prerequisites in the department.

What You Will Learn

The Forensic Science program combines rigorous classroom, lab and experiential learning that covers crime scene investigation techniques, scientific methods for analyzing the data you collect, and legal and ethical protocols. You’ll be well prepared to handle these tasks and responsibilities:

• Analyze crime scenes to determine what evidence should be collected and how.
• Take photographs or make sketches of the crime scenes and evidence.
• Record observations and findings, such as the location and position of evidence.
• Collect and preserve evidence, including weapons, fingerprints and bodily fluids.
• Reconstruct crime scenes.
• Perform chemical, biological and microscopic analyses on evidence taken from crime scenes.
• Explore possible links between suspects and criminal activity, using the results of DNA or other scientific analyses from specialists, such as toxicologists (poisons) or odontologists (teeth). 
• Prepare written reports that detail your findings and investigative methods. 
• Explain your reports to lawyers, detectives and other law enforcement officials. 
• Testify as an expert witness in court about your findings and methods.

Skills You Will Gain

As a Forensic Science major, you’ll cultivate a range of skills that employers look for and that prepare you to excel in the workplace. 

• Critical and creative thinking
• Problem-solving 
• Attention to details
• Data collection and analysis
• Laboratory research and safety techniques
• Math and science skills to analyze evidence
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Teamwork 

Experiential Learning

Your classes are taught by professors who have years of experience in the field and keep up with new developments as forensic science evolves. Each course is designed to give you an immersive, engaging experience that parallels real-life scenarios you’ll encounter in your career. Here’s a sample of courses:

• In Crime Scene Photography, you will learn the parts of a digital camera, learn to document indoor and outdoor scenes and practice photographing wounds on faux body parts, creating a portfolio of your work. You also will review photographs in a virtual setting using virtual reality headsets to explore the immersive experience of being on a crime scene. 
• In Crime Scene Investigations I & II, you’ll assess and document mock crime scenes that simulate common field experiences. You’ll also process simulated evidence with field and laboratory techniques. Some of these mock crime scenes are staged in person, either on the main St. Edward’s campus or at the Wild Basin Creative Research Center. For others, you’ll use a virtual reality headset or your computer to investigate evidence at mock crime scenes — like a hotel room where a body was found — and click on hotspots with embedded photos and case information.
• In Forensics in the Wild, you’ll explore the distinct challenges of investigating crimes committed outdoors. You’ll critically analyze environmental factors affecting outdoor crime scenes and learn to evaluate samples within forensic botany, soil recovery and analysis, and anthropology.
• In Principles and Practices of Science and Law, you’ll explore the interaction between the ideas and practices of the scientific community and the legal community. Taking on the persona of an expert witness, you’ll prepare to present a piece of forensic evidence in a mock criminal trial. You’ll also pose as an attorney, calling the “expert” to testify.

Study Abroad

History and Philosophy of Science, a required course for Forensic Science majors, has been taught both on campus and abroad. When taught in London and Edinburgh, the class focused on the history of medicine and disease and how it intersects with the history of crime. Students in the course visited sites in London related to scientific and medical history, including the Alexander Fleming Museum, which showcases the laboratory where Fleming discovered penicillin. They also visited the Surgeons’ Hall Museums in Edinburgh, which has collections of pathological anatomy specimens and an anatomy theater with an interactive dissection table.

Research

You’ll advance the state of forensic science by conducting research into potential new technologies and techniques. College students can test whether these techniques show enough promise to merit investment by professional labs. Through your research, you’ll address challenges currently being faced by investigators in the field and build marketable skills.

Internships

You’ll have an opportunity to apply for internships where you’ll utilize some of the same skills you’ve been developing in your experiential classes. Forensic Science majors have earned highly competitive internships at state and local agencies, including: 

• Travis County Medical Examiner's Office
• Austin Police Department
• Travis County Sheriff's Office
• Leander Police Department
• El Paso Police Department
• Bexar County Sheriff's Office

STEM students at St. Edward’s can access paid internships offered by our National Science Foundation-funded Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4). For more information on these internship programs, please visit the Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4).

Student Organizations

The Forensic Association Committed to Truth — SEU F.A.C.T. for short — is a student organization dedicated to forensic science and meets biweekly. Members build their networks and learn about careers. F.A.C.T. also hosts fun collaborative events that give you the chance to explore other science-based fields, like teaming up with the American Chemical Society chapter to conduct spooky Halloween-themed experiments.

The St. Edward’s Criminal Justice Club is a chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, Lambda Alpha Epsilon. The club meets twice a month to hear guest speakers, go on field trips, offer community service and complete training together.

The St. Edward’s student affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society hosts guest speakers who talk about their research, industry jobs, and the ins and outs of graduate school. Members have volunteered at the ACS Southwest Regional Meeting and given poster presentations of their research, and they have traveled to other universities for hands-on training at advanced instrumentation workshops. Our ACS chapter also hosts social and fun events like tie-dyeing lab coats and movie nights.

Service

Forensic Science students have worked for several years on a grant-funded STEM outreach program for sixth-graders. The St. Edward’s students create crime-scene kits that the younger students use to solve a case. The program encourages elementary- and middle-school students to get curious about careers in science.

Students who are interested in the forensic field can complete a minor in Forensic Science to establish baseline knowledge and experience within the subject. This is especially helpful for individuals who are interested in pursuing careers where forensic knowledge enhances their job applicant profile.

Required Coursework

• Criminology
• Intro to Forensic Science
• Crime Scene Investigation I with Lab
• Crime Scene Investigation II with Lab
• Crime Scene Photography
• Professional Practice in Forensic Science

Are you a current student? Contact your advisor for the next steps in declaring your major or minor.

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Forensic Science webpage.