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The mission of the Biology Department is in alignment with the mission and goals of the University, especially as it relates to the development of tomorrow's leaders in professions utilizing biological knowledge. The major provides instruction in fundamental biological concepts, immersion in hands-on, minds-on field and laboratory exercises, and opportunities for greater specialization in emerging fields like biophysics, computational biology and genomics. Critical reasoning, intellectual inquiry, and mastery of the scientific terminology are aggressively fostered in the biology program.

The biology major is designed to: give students a broad understanding of the processes, concepts, and structures that characterize life at three basic levels: molecular/cellular, system/organism, and community/ecosystem; encourage scientific investigation and experimentation through laboratory and field experiences and independent, authentic research; and finally, prepare students for the further pursuit of graduate or professional school, or for careers in health care, public and private research, teaching, and related fields.

From the very beginning, students are involved in the practice of scientific inquiry and, in advanced courses, motivated to formulate testable hypotheses, design experiments and analyze data. These competencies are then demonstrated in the BIOL capstone course, BIOL401 Senior Seminar, in which students deliver a high quality scientific presentation and field questions which may be posed by any member of the BIOL faculty. The program promotes leadership and collaborative skills through group projects including recitations/precepts, discussions, lab experiments and reports. Advanced undergraduate students may serve as teaching and laboratory assistants. 

B.S. in Biology (Pre-Health)

The biology core curriculum requires the completion of two mandatory introductory courses (cr. hr = 8) within the first year, after which students may select 5 to 7 advanced biological courses (cr. hr = 19 - 28) based on interests and career goals with the restriction that at least one course is taken in each of three major categories of biology (i.e., organismal/physiology, cellular and molecular, and environmental/ecology/evolution).

1. A required "core" of nine biology courses with labs representing three levels of life processes:

• Three introductory courses with labs (BIOL120/121, BIOL230/231)
• Molecular & cell biology (BIOL250/251)
• Five biology electives with advanced content in each of the three levels

2. Senior seminar
3. Four required courses in chemistry
4. Two required courses in math
5. Two required courses in physics

Graduate Study in Biology

The graduate study program in biology leads to the Master of Science degree. The offering of a graduate degree in biology has several purposes. One of these is to offer students who have attained the baccalaureate degree in biology or other natural sciences the opportunity to broaden and increase their knowledge in the biological sciences. Another is the opportunity for students to enter into or expand their experience in the area of experimental research in biology. These objectives may be achieved through selection of elective courses offered in this department and allied areas (chemistry, agriculture, veterinary medicine, etc.), and by the selection of a research area of concentration. The latter is with the assistance of a major advisor in the department who will usually act as the student's major professor. All graduate students are required to teach for one (1) year in the Freshman Biology Program.

M.S. in Biology

The biology graduate program is designed to prepare students for further graduate work leading to a Ph.D.; to provide professional biologists with advanced research and educational opportunities; and to provide students with a broad-based graduate program allowing for specialization in the diverse fields of inquiry represented by the faculty of the department. The application procedure is simple!

Ph.D. in Integrative Biosciences

Advances in the life sciences that address local and global challenges require new approaches to graduate education and research. The ¾«¶«AV Integrative Biosciences (IBS) Ph.D. program is designed to develop professionals who have not only technical proficiency but who also possess the flexibility and adaptability to address the complexities of current challenges. Read about our mission, vision and collaborators of this program.

It is in the best long-term interest of the students that their fitness for the biology major be assessed as early as possible. Students that require multiple repetition of basic mathematics, chemistry and core biology courses will be assisted in making the necessary adjustments to continue or in making a transition to a more suitable major. A student will attain cautionary status if upon the completion of the Freshman year, the student has received at least one "D" or "E" grade in either Biology 100, 140, 141, 120, 121, 230, 231 or a "D" or "E" grade in Chemistry 231 and Mathematics 107 whenever taken. Cautionary status will come with instructions on obtaining tutorial and other advisory assistance to aid students in successfully pursuing the requirements for the biology major. The accumulation of four grades of "D" and "E" in any combination of the aforementioned courses and Biology 250 and 251, regardless as to whether either was successfully repeated, will result in the forced transition to a different major. 

Required Biology Courses  

BIOL 120,121 Organismic Biology & Laboratory 4 hrs
BIOL 230,231 Cell & Genetic Biology & Laboratory 4 hrs
BIOL 250,251 Molecular Cell & Genetic Biology & Laboratory 4 hrs
BIOL 305 Animal Physiology 4 hrs
BIOL 309 Genetics 4 hrs
BIOL 360, 361  Biochemistry & Laboratory 4 hrs
BIOL 401 Seminar in Biology 1 hr

Electives in Biology 

Nineteen (19) additional hours of Biology must be selected in consultation with student's Biology advisor. 
No grade less than "C" in any Biology course counts as credit toward graduation.

Required Related Courses

CHEM 231,233 General Chemistry I & Laboratory 5 hrs
CHEM 232,234 General Chemistry II & Laboratory 5 hrs
CHEM 320,322 Organic Chemistry I & Laboratory 5 hrs
CHEM 321,323 Organic Chemistry II & Laboratory 5 hrs
PHYS 310,313 General Physics I & Lab 4 hrs                              
PHYS 311,314 General Physics II & Lab 4 hrs 
MATH 107 College Algebra & Trigonometry I 4 hrs
MATH 108 College Algebra & Trigonometry II 4 hrs 
MATH 207 Analytic Geometry & Calculus I 4 hrs

Minor in Biology 

All students wishing to minor in Biology must enroll in twenty (20) hours of Biology courses.  Eight of the hours must be the following courses:

BIOL 120/121 Organismic Biology and Laboratory 4 hrs
BIOL 230/231 Cell and Genetic Biology and Laboratory 4 hrs

Twelve additional hours should be selected from approved Biology electives from 200 to 500 level courses. It is advised that students consult with a Biology faculty member before enrolling in the elective courses.

The Pre-Professional Health Careers Advisory Program (PHCAP) was established to assist students in the applications process for health careers. There are a series of workshops, meetings and private sessions that will ensure that each student has a well-rounded application.

If you have questions about applying to health professional programs and internships, please call (334) 727-8832 to set up an appointment. The PHCAP Committee is here to assist ¾«¶«AV students in planning their health careers. Whether you want a career in Medicine, Dentistry, Public Health, Pharmacy, etc. or become a Physician's Assistant, let us help you plan your career in health care. 

The MAPS Program

1) The meaning/purpose of MAPS

The Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) is dedicated to supporting underrepresented pre-health and pre-medical students in their pursuit of careers in healthcare. The organization strives to increase diversity in health-related professions through the sharing of knowledge, experiences, and mentorship. MAPS is committed to improving minority student matriculation into professional health programs—with a strong emphasis on medicine—while fostering culturally conscious healthcare professionals who are equipped to address the unique challenges faced by underrepresented communities.

2) Qualifications for joining MAPS

Membership in MAPS is open to all full-time undergraduate students currently enrolled at ¾«¶«AV. To obtain official membership status, students are required to pay the annual chapter dues during the fall semester. (Please note: dues are subject to change each academic year.)

3) All what MAPS offers, type of events, etc.

MAPS is a vibrant pre-health community dedicated to supporting students in their journey toward professional healthcare careers. We provide:

• Community service opportunities
• Professional school visits
• Summer research forums
• Mentorship and networking connections
• Internship guidance and opportunities
• And much more!

Previous Events and Initiatives:
MAPS has proudly hosted a variety of events and activities, including:

• Campus clean-ups and paint nights.
• Visits and presentations from medical school admissions deans and representatives, including Morehouse School of Medicine, UAB Heersink School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and VCOM–Auburn, as well as pharmacy and dental programs
• Stop the Bleed trainings and CPR classes.
• Information sessions on internship search and application strategies.
• Community engagement activities such as game nights with Magnolia Haven Nursing Home.

Through these programs, MAPS fosters professional development, service, and collaboration—empowering students to reach their full potential in healthcare. 

4) Brief description of the E-Board positions

• President: Oversees all MAPS events and meetings; serves as the primary point of contact between the Dean, advisors, visiting guests, and students.
• Vice President: Assists the President as needed and presides over meetings in the President’s absence.
• Secretary: Records and maintains meeting minutes, manages MAPS paperwork, and tracks attendance.
• Treasurer: Manages MAPS finances, including collection of dues, ordering and distribution of t-shirts, fundraising efforts, and quarterly SNMA financial reports.
• Senator: Serves as the MAPS representative within the SGA; attends Senate meetings and reports updates back to the Executive Board.
• Public Relations Chair: Manages MAPS media presence, including flyers, social media, and marketing initiatives.
• Community Service Chair: Plans and coordinates community service events while tracking members’ service hours.
• Internship Outreach Chair: Maintains and shares a list of available internships; assists members in the application process.
• Mr./Miss Biology: Represents MAPS and the Biology Department at all events and serves as an ambassador during the annual Homecoming Gala.

Learning Resource Center

The Learning Resource Center (LRC), located in room 207 Armstrong Hall, contains a library of information about medical schools and their curricula, admissions requirements, and financial planning that can be accessed for reference by any student (Biology or non-Biology major). Similar information is available about other programs such as Dentistry, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician's Assistant, and Public Health. The Center also contains printed and computerized information about MCAT, GRE, and other standardized examinations as well as information on summer enrichment/research programs and post baccalaureate programs. Applications for these examinations and programs are available in the Center.

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is focused on exposing student to research-based careers and internships. Several seminars are hosted to allow for student to have one-on-one contact with working professional and laboratory techniques that will make them successful in the future.

The Biology Department supports a chapter of Beta Kappa Chi, The Biology Club, and Pre-Professional Health Careers Advisory Program. These student-centered organizations offer leadership and service opportunities.