Transition period

The School expects that the majority of our current BSc in Biology: Focus in Biological Sciences students will find it advantageous to transfer to the new BSc in Biology starting in Fall 2024.

Some students, particularly those with a Fall 24 graduation date, are expected to graduate with the current curriculum. For all other students, the percentage of degree completion and other factors (such as financial aid) will be considered by the Academic Advising Center when recommending a change of major to the new BSc in Biology curriculum or remaining in your current degree plan. You will not be forced to change degree plans and there are course options available that will allow you to complete your current degree.

To ensure a smooth transition period for all Biology Major students, the School – in coordination with the Academic Advising Center – will host Town Hall meetings and Q&A sessions for students on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses in February 2024. Stay tuned for updates!

During the implementation of the new degree, the School does not anticipate any impact or graduation delays for any of our current Biology majors. We will do everything we can to see that these improvements in our degrees have a positive impact on both current and future students.

We encourage all Biology Majors to discuss with their advisors about transferring to the new BSc in Biology in February/March 2024, before Fall 2024 registration opens.

Are you a new Bio Major student beginning in Fall 24? Welcome! You will be enrolled automatically in the new BSc in Biology Curriculum. Read more here.

EXPIRING OLD COURSES AND EXCITING NEW COURSES 

Beginning Fall 24, some courses will no longer be offered as a result of the implementation of the new degree. The following courses will be taught for the last time:
NOTE - please read the course crosswalk section too!

With the launch of the new BSc in Biology curriculum, the School is offering a series of new courses beginning Fall 2024.

Please click here to view course descriptions for the new required Biology Foundation courses.

In addition, the School will offer new exciting electives on a regular basis: Immunology, Astrobiology, Cancer Biology, Veterinary Entomology, and Mammalian Disease Diagnosis and Clinical Applications among others.

COURSE CROSSWALKS

Whether you stay in the current curriculum or elect the new BSc in Biology curriculum, we have put into place automatic substitutions for equivalent courses between degree plans. These will automatically substitute for each other in DegreeWorks. NOTE: Students should pay close attention to differences in credit hours, as they must also satisfy the course credit hours requirements of their curriculum (i.e. 120 hours to graduate).