Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology

The Department of Integrative Biology offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with subspecialty options designed to prepare students for professional careers in the biological sciences, medical and health service fields, research, industry, and education. The program of study is structured around a comprehensive core curriculum that includes genetics, physiology, cell biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and mathematics. At the upper-division level, students wanting to specialize can choose one of six area concentrations: Cell and Molecular Biology, Integrative Biology, Neurobiology, Plant Biology, Pre-Medical Sciences, and Grades 7–12 Biology Teacher Certification.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Environmental Studies is designed to provide students with a multidisciplinary educational approach regarding environmental issues, and fosters system-thinking skills. The degree reinforces the crucial role of interdisciplinary approaches in environmental problem solving by emphasizing the sociocultural, historical, ethical, spiritual, economic, and political dimension of complex environmental issues. Solving these problems now requires an integration of disciplines in order to provide the understanding needed to address complex environmental issues such as global climate change, threats to natural resources, and the resulting social and economic impacts.

The field includes study in basic principles of ecology and environmental science, as well as associated subjects such as ethics, geography, policy, politics, law, economics, philosophy, environmental sociology and environmental justice, planning, pollution control, and natural resource management.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Environmental Science is designed to provide students with a multidisciplinary educational approach regarding the science of environmental issues, crossing many disciplines within the sciences. Solving complex environmental issues requires an integration of disciplines in order to provide the understanding needed to address problems such as global climate change, threats to natural resources, and the resulting social and economic impacts. The B.S. degree reinforces the crucial role of scientific approaches in environmental problem solving by incorporating the study of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that take place on the Earth.

The degree includes the study of basic principles of ecology and environmental science, as well as the exploration of aspects of biology, chemistry, geography, atmospheric and Earth science. Laboratory and fieldwork encompassing experimental design, data collection, testing, and analysis are core elements of the B.S. degree. While the degree is a general degree in environmental science, a student may choose a concentration in one of four areas: 1) Aquatic Science, 2) Conservation and Restoration Ecology, 3) Environmental Management, and 4) Natural Resources and Wildlife Management. A student may select from these areas in order to earn a general environmental science degree while also receiving a focused education that will prepare them for a specific career post-graduation.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Multidisciplinary Science

The Department of Integrative Biology at UTSA also offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Multidisciplinary Science with Grades 7–12 Teaching Certification. This degree is designed for future secondary science teachers and gives students broad training across the sciences.

Admissions

Please refer to the Biology (BS), Environmental Science (BS), and Environmental Studies (BA) Admission Requirements for details on the admissions process.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

For those who are interested in undergraduate research, please see UTSA's Office of Undergraduate Research, our Sophomore Biology Research Initiative, or contact Department of Integrative Biology research faculty members individually.