Biology

Biology is the scientific study of living things. Despite the enormous diversity of living organisms, all life is unified by descent from a common ancestor. Biologists study the diversity and unity by application of modern methods of scientific inquiry. The study of biology addresses many questions about the world around us. The field is changing rapidly, and new discoveries may directly impact your life, which makes this is an especially exciting time to study biology.

Natural History Collections

The Biology Department maintains the Angelo State Natural History Collections, which has tens of thousands of specimens of all types of living organisms. The collections are preserved, documented and curated assemblages that are important to a wide array of human activities. They are also used constantly for research in the department.

Faculty and Research

Biology Department faculty members are dedicated to research and they encourage undergraduate and graduate students to get hands-on experience with their own projects. Faculty members work one-on-one with students to ensure that they are getting the research guidance they need.

Each fall semester, Biology Department students and faculty have a weekend “Biology Blitz” on a ranch just outside of San Angelo. They try to catalog every living thing, which gives students an idea of what trapping and tagging entails.

Pre-Health Options and Other Career Opportunities

The Biology Department has an extensive pre-health professions program that gives guidance and support to students interested in health care careers. The Health Professions Advisory Committee writes evaluations for all students applying to pre-health programs, and our students consistently have a higher acceptance rate than the statewide average.

The department also offers support and resources to students pursuing graduate degrees in biology. Those planning to teach life sciences also have a specific degree plan designed to offer them guidance.