Students pursuing a degree in biology typically have interests in science, the environment, and/or the health professions. High school preparation should include a solid background in mathematics, introductory biology, and/or chemistry.

Admission into the Major

Students are expected to formally declare a major no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). Students can declare a major by completing the Change of Major/Minor Application online under the Student tab of myBama.

Special Opportunities

The Department of Biological Sciences offers an abundance of special opportunities for students, including an honors program, a scholars program, and a number of special areas of concentration.

Honors Program

The Biological Sciences Honors Program is available to students majoring in either biology or microbiology after the completion of 16 hours of biological science courses with at least a 3.4 GPA overall and in BSC courses. Admission into the program is made through an application that is submitted to the undergraduate program coordinator. Requirements for the program include: four to eight hours of BSC 390 Honors Thesis Research, maintenance of a 3.4 GPA in BSC courses and overall, and submission and defense of an acceptable honors thesis. Additional details are available in the office of the Department of Biological Sciences.

Accelerated Masters Program

The Department of Biological Sciences also participates in the Accelerated Master's Program, which allows highly motivated students to pursue closely integrated undergraduate and graduate programs that may lead to the simultaneous completion of requirements for both master's and bachelor's degrees. Students usually apply for admission prior to the junior or senior year. For more information about the Accelerated Master's Program, visit graduate.ua.edu or consult The University of Alabama graduate catalog.