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The endless career opportunities that exist for a biologist make this major one of the most versatile in the sciences. If you’re research driven and eager to uncover the how behind life, then this is the track for you.
Over the next decade, the healthcare field will add more jobs than any other occupation. Earning a bachelor’s degree in biology from Hardin-Simmons University will prepare you for a wide variety of diverse and exciting graduate and professional programs in medicine, wildlife biology, environmental science, and conservation, among many other specialties. We also offer unique academic tracks so you can tailor your educational experience to your individual career aspirations.
Step outside the classroom with HSU’s many field-based and travel-focused courses. Gain hands-on experience while seeing the world and making lasting professional connections. You’ll also benefit from our affiliation with Texas Tech University Health Science Center, where you can earn a Master of Public Health while you earn your biology bachelor degree at HSU — with access to Texas Tech’s state-of-the-art resources and expert faculty to prepare you for a successful career in healthcare.
Biology is a remarkably diverse field of study with a huge variety of career options. That’s why you’ll have the choice of five concentrations for your biology bachelor’s degree, which include:
If you’re interested in going into healthcare, our Pre-Health Professions concentration lets you choose from the following tracks:
Regardless of your professional goals, reach them with a biology degree that is uniquely you.
All HSU students are eligible for the biology program. Students majoring in biology and pursuing either a B.S. or B.A. degree must pass BIOL 1306/1106, 1307/1107, and 2334 with grades of C or better before registering for advanced courses in the biology curriculum. Exceptions to this rule will be considered on a case-by-case basis by your advisor and the degree in biology department head.
Receive the attention and support you need thanks to our small class sizes. Work closely with experienced biology degree program faculty members who have years of experience specializing in general biology, ecology, and conservation. Collaborate with other biology majors and make lasting personal and professional connections.
At HSU, you’ll receive more than just an exceptional biology degree. You can also join a thriving community of likeminded peers through several organizations and honor societies, including: *HSSM Research Society *The Pre-Health Club *The Pre-Physical Therapy Club *Beta Beta Beta Honor Society
The biology bachelor’s degree program at HSU provides many chances for you to gain real-world experience in the field through research opportunities and internships. For example, if you’re interested in ecology and conservation, you can take part in our Grassland Initiative working to restore native grassland ecosystems to areas previously altered by agricultural conversion. Graduate with a resume rich in experience that will help you stand out in a competitive job market.
Biology majors go on to work in a wide range of fields: conservation and ecology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and much more. You can work in medical settings, research labs, or out in the field. HSU biology degree graduates have gone on to successful careers with the Hendrick Medical Center, the Abilene Regional Medical Center, and here at Hardin-Simmons University.
In addition to helping others and serving your communities, you’ll also benefit from outstanding job security and limitless potential for professional growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 16 percent within the next decade, adding more jobs than any other occupational field. If you’re more interested in the research side of health, the number of medical scientist positions is projected to grow even faster.
The estimated annual salary of alumni from our Biology program is $62,224. Since the field of biology is so vast, however, your salary potential depends on your area of specialty. Veterinarians, for example, earn an average of $99,000 a year nationally, while medical assistants earn on average about $36,000.
“At HSU, the small campus and class sizes created a family environment that was conducive for successful learning. You were able to have any and all questions answered by your instructors within a very timely manner. The professors took great care and interest in the success of the students.”
Brian Galvan
Our bachelor’s degree in biology provides several courses that let you travel while you earn your degree. Some recent destinations include:
The Pre-Medical track at HSU will prepare you to matriculate into medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. As a physician, you may:
An MD or DO degree requires 4 years of education. Additional training in the form of residencies and/or fellowships allow you to specialize in fields including obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, general surgery, cardiology, etc.
Pre-Medical is considered a track in Biology (or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), it is not a major. Pre-Medical students are required to take specific courses to prepare for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and apply to medical school. You can choose to major in any field and you can apply to medical school as long as you complete the prerequisites. As a Biology major, all of the following courses that are required by most medical schools and schools of osteopathic medicine can be taken as a part of the B.S. or B.A. in Biology with a minor in Biochemistry degree plan.
There are 10 medical schools in Texas. For specific requirements for each Texas program, you may visit the Texas Medical and Dental School Application System website.
For specific admission information on non-Texas Medical programs please visit the American Association of Medical Colleges website.
For specific admission information on non-Texas Osteopathic programs, please visit the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine website.
Websites to apply to medical school:
JAMP
HSU also offers pre-medical students who display a financial need based on your FAFSA information, the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP). The Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) is a special program created by the Texas Legislature to support and encourage highly qualified, economically disadvantaged Texas resident students pursuing a medical education.
Funded through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, JAMP is a unique partnership between all nine Texas medical schools and sixty-seven public and private four-year undergraduate institutions.
Since 2003, JAMP has been helping Texas students achieve their dreams with guaranteed admission to one of the state’s nine medical schools, financial, and academic support to help them get there, and access to resources that allow them to excel.
JAMP provides:
For more information, please feel free to visit their website.
B.S. Biology/Doctor of Physical Therapy Fast Track Program at HSU – 3 years undergrad, 2.5 years graduate. Most physical therapists earn their bachelor’s degrees in four years and then complete three additional years of school to earn their doctorates. Imagine beginning your undergraduate degree at 18 years old and graduating with your Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) in just 5.5 years!
The Pre-Physical Therapy track at HSU will prepare you to matriculate into a physical therapy school to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. As a physical therapist you may:
A DPT program generally takes about 3 years of education. Additional training can allow you to specialize in fields like orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, clinical electrophysiology, and sports physical therapy. You can learn more about physical therapy careers at the American Physical Therapy Association.
Pre-Physical Therapy is considered a track in Biology; it is not a major. Pre-Physical Therapy students are required to take specific courses to apply to physical therapy school. You can choose to major in any field and you can apply to dental school as long as you have completed the prerequisites. As a Biology major the courses that are required by most physical therapy schools can be taken as part of the undergraduate Biology degree. Prerequisite courses vary significantly across physical therapy programs. To learn more about prerequisite courses visit the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service.
Hardin-Simmons University Physical Therapy School Early Admission Agreement:
Most physical therapy programs utilize the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) to facilitate the admissions process. The American Physical Therapy Association provides useful information regarding the admissions process.
Physical therapy schools require applicants to observe practicing physical therapists. Different programs have different PT observation requirements. PTCAS provides a comparison of observation requirements by programs.
Dr. Craig Younce, craig.younce@hsutx.edu, advises Biology majors who are planning to apply to physical therapy school.
The Pre-Physician Assistant (PA) track at HSU will prepare you to matriculate into an accredited Physician Assistant Program to earn a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies degree. As a PA, you may:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution is required for matriculation into a PA program. An M.A. in PA Studies degree requires 2-3 years of education, with the average program length being 27 months.
Pre-PA is considered a track in Biology, it is not a major. Pre-PA students are required to take specific courses to prepare to apply to a PA program. You can choose to major in any field and you can apply to PA school as long as you complete the prerequisites. As a Biology major, all of the following courses that are required by most PA programs and can be taken as a part of the B.S. or B.A. in Biology.
Please visit the HSU PA program web page for specific program details. For specific requirements for any specific PA program, please visit the PA Program directory.
Professional organizations recommended for pre-PA students:
Website to apply to PA school:
The Pre-Dental track at HSU will prepare you to matriculate into a dental school to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. As a general dentist you may:
A DDS program requires 4 years of education. Additional training in the form of fellowships or residencies can allow you to specialize in fields like orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, forensic odontology, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, and oral surgery.
Pre-Dental is considered a track in Biology; it is not a major. Pre-Dental students are required to take specific courses to prepare for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and to apply to dental school. You can choose to major in any field and you can apply to dental school as long as you have completed the prerequisites. As a Biology major all of the following courses that are required by most dental schools can be taken as part of the B.S. in Biology with a minor Biochemistry degree plan.
There are three dental schools in Texas: Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, and UT Health Houston School of Dentistry. For additional application information, please contact each program and check their websites as they may be updated frequently.
To matriculate into dental school you must score competitively on the Dental Admissions Test. The test has four major sections:
Your performance on the Survey of Natural Sciences and Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Reasoning sections are recorded as the Academic Average, which ranges from 1 to 30. A competitive score is >19. You can find out more information about the DAT, including a yearly DAT Guide, on the American Dental Association DAT web page.
In addition to the prerequisite courses and competitive DAT score, successful applicants should also be involved in community service opportunities and complete at least 80 hours of shadowing. One organization that HSU students regularly volunteer with is the Texas Mission of Mercy Smiles Foundation. See their website for upcoming opportunities to serve around Texas, https://www.tdasmiles.org/texas-mission-of-mercy/.
There are great summer programs that allow you to get more experience in dentistry and prepare for dental schools. Find out more information and apply for the Summer Health Professions Education Program.
Dr. Wendi Wolfram, wwolfram@hsutx.edu, advises Biology majors who are planning to apply for dental school.
Professional organizations for pre-dental students:
Websites to apply for dental school:
The Pre-Pharmacy track at HSU will prepare you to matriculate into a pharmacy school to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Careers in pharmacy cover a variety of different options and specialties. Some career options are listed below:
You can learn more about different pharmacy careers at Pharmacy Is Right For Me.
Pre-Pharmacy is considered a track in Biology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, or Chemistry; it is not a major. Pre-Pharmacy students are required to take specific courses to prepare for the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) and to apply to pharmacy school. You can choose to major in any field and you can apply to pharmacy school as long as you have completed the prerequisites. Pre-pharmacy track students at HSU generally follow one of the following plans:
Following one of the plans listed above ensures that the prerequisite courses required by most pharmacy schools can be taken as part of the B.S. degree plan. You can learn more about pharmacy program prerequisite courses at Pharmacy Is Right For Me.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy (TTUHSC-SOP) 3+4 Dual Degree Information
To matriculate into pharmacy school you must score competitively on the Pharmacy College Admission Test. The test has five major sections:
Your performance on the PCAT is reported as your percentile rank which indicates your performance relative to the current PCAT norm group. Most Texas pharmacy schools prefer a PCAT score >50, but a competitive score for Texas pharmacy schools is >70. You can find more information about the PCAT, including a yearly PCAT guide, on the PCAT webpage.
In addition to the prerequisite courses and competitive PCAT score, successful applicants should gain experience by shadowing pharmacists or volunteering at a health center or hospital. Additionally, it is recommended that pre-pharmacy students work in a pharmacy as clerks or pharmacy technicians.
Approximately 90% of all pharmacy degree programs in the U.S. participate in the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) for admission. You should visit the PharmCAS website to learn more about the admissions process and requirements.
Dr. Jemima Ingle advises Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Chemistry majors who are planning to apply to pharmacy school.
The Pre-Veterinarian track at HSU will prepare students to matriculate into vet school for an additional 4 years of education to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). As a veterinarian, you will:
Pre-Veterinary Medicine is considered a track in Biology; it is not a major. Pre-Veterinary students are required to take the GRE or MCAT along with specific courses in order to apply to vet school. Unlike medical schools, each vet school has its own pre-requisite courses that students must take in order to apply for their programs. As a biology major, the collective standard pre-requisite course requirements can be taken as a part of the B.S. in Biology along with a minor in Biochemistry.
Students interested in applying for vet school will sit down with the pre-vet advisor and review their vet schools of choice to ensure they will have taken all the pre-requisite requirements for each school prior to applying.
There are 30 vet schools across the nation with 2 located in Texas, Texas A&M University Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. For specific requirements for each Texas program, you may visit the TMDSAS home page. TMDSAS is the central application processing center for Texas Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Medical schools.
For specific admission information on non-Texas Veterinary Medicine programs, please visit the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges.
Dr. Wendi Wolfram, wwolfram@hsutx.edu, advises Biology majors who are planning to apply for vet school.
The Organismal and Wildlife Biology track at HSU will prepare students to work in the world of field biology. As a field or wildlife biologist you may:
Organismal field and wildlife biologists frequently work outdoors in laboratories, and many find employment with government agencies, consulting firms, managing properties for private landowners and ranchers, as well as working for various research organizations.
Organismal Field and Wildlife Biology Certification is considered a track in Biology; it is not a major. It is for students pursuing a degree in organismal field biology or those interested in applying for their Wildlife Certification after graduation. Students in this degree track take more field based and travel lab courses that provide more hands-on opportunities working with plants/animals and their ecosystems. As a Biology major, the collective field courses and course alignments that meet the requirements for the certification application can be taken as a part of the B.S. in Biology along with a minor in Environmental Science.
Students wishing to further enhance their resume can apply for an Associate Wildlife Certification regulated by the Wildlife Society. Students interested in applying for their Associate Wildlife Certification will sit down with the field biology advisor and review their courses to ensure they have taken all the certification requirements prior to applying.
Dr. Wendi Wolfram, wwolfram@hsutx.edu, advises Biology majors who are planning to work in field biology or apply for their Associate Wildlife Certification through the Wildlife Society.
This minor is for students who are interested in pursuing allied health professions. Courses included in this minor allow students to take prerequisite courses for graduate programs in the areas of, but not limited to, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies. This minor may also serve as an off-boarding minor for students who switch from the pre-nursing major.
The Grassland Initiative was established by the Rolling N Ranches L.P. to provide research opportunities to Hardin-Simmons faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students in a variety of disciplines. The mission of the Grassland Initiative is to restore native grassland ecosystems to areas previously altered by agricultural conversion and is designed to employ conservation and management plans, through partnerships and cooperative efforts, resulting in restoration and overall biodiversity preservation.
The Grassland Initiative also offers student internship opportunities to provide support to graduate and undergraduate student researchers. The Grassland Initiative Student Internship Endowment, established by Dr. George Newman and his wife Carolyn, provides stipends for students conducting independent research projects through the Grassland Initiative. The stipends support student researchers and are awarded for Summer (May – July), Fall (Aug – Dec), and Spring (Jan – Apr) as funding allows. Students are encouraged to coordinate with the Grassland Initiative Program Director concerning Internship Requirements and Application Deadlines.
We offer several opportunities for field-based labs and travel courses. You have the option to study Tropical Ecology in Costa Rica, Natural History in London, or Wildlife Conservation at the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN. Due to our partnership with the Grassland Initiative, we offer field labs in courses such as Mammalogy, Animal Behavior, General Entomology, Wildlife Techniques, and Advanced Botany.
The purpose of the HSSM Research Society is to promote interest in undergraduate and graduate research through the development, communication, and publication of original research across disciplines. The HSSM Research Society enhances connections between peers and faculty and promotes research. The HSSM Research Society hosts an annual Symposium each spring. HSSM Research Society, Advisor—Dr. Wendi Wolfram
The Pre-Health Club serves as a home to HSU students aiming to enter any facet of the medical profession. The organization provides students with information regarding admission requirements, entrance exam preparation, shadowing and volunteering opportunities, a forum for networking with current medical professionals as well as assists in graduate school application preparation and admission interviews. Pre-Health Club Advisor – Dr. Michelle Dose
The Pre-Physical Therapy Club is a great resource and application booster for students interested in becoming physical therapists. The club meets once a month to allow members the opportunity to explore and learn about the Anatomy Lab, receive advice from current PT students and admissions faculty, and learn about various topics in the field of physical therapy from practicing PT’s. Members of this club are also invited to attend presentations hosted by HSU’s DPT school and take part in physical therapy related service events. In addition, there are five officer position s available each year to members who are interested in gaining leadership experience. Pre-Physical Therapy Club, Advisor—Dr. Marsha Rutland
Beta Beta Beta is a national biological honor society, with Delta Psi being the local chapter at HSU. All members are sophomores or higher, have an interest in the biological sciences, and have attained a biology GPA of 3.0 or higher. The honor society seeks to cultivate intellectual interest in the natural sciences and promote a better appreciation of the value of biological study. Members are involved in promoting science in the community through working with high schools, health fairs, research forums, or similar events. Members are eligible for some funding for undergraduate research and to publish for reduced costs in the Beta Beta Beta journal BIOS. Tri-Beta Advisor – Dr. Craig Younce
Regular Membership Requirements:
Associate Membership Requirements:
Any undergraduate with a demonstrated interest in the biological sciences that does not meet the regular membership requirements is eligible (ex. biology minors).
What do we do?
Our members are involved in promoting science in the community through working with high schools, health fairs, research forums, or similar events. We have partnered with the University Interscholastic League (UIL) at ATEMS high school in Abilene since 2015 to provide science enrichment. For each visit, Delta Psi provides an interactive experiment or demonstration in either chemistry, biology, or physics. Additionally, we help host invited speakers at HSU and participate in a variety of community service projects.
Benefits
As a member, you get recognition for your commitment to biology. You receive Tri Beta honor cords in your membership packet.
Members are eligible for some funding for undergraduate research and to publish for reduced costs in the Beta Beta Beta journal, BIOS.
You have fun with other biology majors!
The Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics is blessed with donors and alumni who generously give back to HSU through scholarships for biology majors. Students can apply annually for these scholarships through Scholarship Central.
