B.S. in Biology (Global Health Concentration)

This program is designed for students with an interest in tropical diseases, their etiology, and their control. It is appropriate for students considering careers in tropical medicine, epidemiology, parasitology, microbiology, global health, public health, or other biomedically-related careers.

Admission to the Program

Students wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Biology with concentration in Global Health must apply for admission to this program by completing the Biology of Global Health Application and returning it to the Biology of Global Health Committee by June 30. To be eligible to apply, a student must have satisfied each of the requirements to advance in the major and select a concentration. Further, the student must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours in residence at Baylor to declare the concentration in Global Health in Biology. The application process is initiated annually at the completion of the spring semester; students a e notified of their admission prior to the beginning of the subsequent fall semester. Admission is competitive and achievement of minimum standards does not guarantee acceptance to the major.
Admission to the Biology of Global Health program requires, at a minimum:

1. An overall GPA of 3.5 on a four-point scale.
2. A written application demonstrating a commitment to understanding the biology of global health.
3. Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional mentors.

The Chair of the Department of Biology will appoint an admission committee to assist the program director in reviewing the applications. This committee, based on the material supplied them, their professional judgment, and the number of positions available for entering students shall determine the suitability of the program for the applicant and notify him/her of one of the outcomes stated below.

1. Admitted.
2. Not Admitted.

The decision of the committee will be made on the basis of a simple majority after a review of the student’s application.

Maintaining Status as a Biology of Global Health Student

Biology of Global Health students must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA through their junior level courses (including BIO 2306-2106) and earn no grade lower than a C in any Biology course. Any student whose performance falls below the 3.0 minimum for two consecutive semesters or who earns less than a C grade in a biology course will be dismissed from the program.

Requirements for a Major in Biology (Global Health Concentration)

Thirty-six to thirty-eight semester hours including the following:

• BIO 1305 - Modern Concepts of Bioscience/1105 - Modern Concepts of Bioscience Laboratory OR BIO 1405 - Investigations of Modern Biology Concepts I
• BIO 1306 - Modern Concepts of Bioscience, continued/1106 - Modern Concepts of Bioscience Laboratory OR BIO 1406 - Investigations of Modern Biology Concepts II
• BIO 2306 - Genetics/2106 - Genetics Laboratory
• BIO 3303 - Ecology
• BIO 4001 - Achievement Test
• BIO 4304 - Medical Entomology/4104 - Medical Entomology Laboratory
• BIO 4323 - Parasitology/4123 - Laboratory for Parasitology
• BIO 4354 - Neglected Tropical Diseases

At least one course from:

• BIO 3342 - Molecular Cell Biology
• BIO 3322 - Human Physiology/3122 - Human Physiology Laboratory
• BIO 4307 - Biochemistry and Physiology of the Cell
• BIO 4431 - Comparative Vertebrate Physiology

At least on course from:

• BIO 4301 - Immunology
• BIO 4365 - Topics in Evolution
• BIO 4306 - Molecular Genetics and Genomics/4106 - Molecular Genetics and Genomics Laboratory
• BIO 4350 - Pathogenic Microbiology

Additional requirements:

• An approved tropical disease biology practical experience
• A grade of "C" or better 36-38 hours of biology courses used in the major and a GPA of 2.0 or higher in all BIO courses
• A grade of "C" or better in all courses required in other fields

Required Courses in other Fields:

• CHE 1301 - Basic Principles of Modern Chemistry I/1101 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
• CHE 1302 - Basic Principles of Modern Chemistry II/1102 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
• CHE 3331 - Organic Chemistry I
• CHE 3332 - Organic Chemistry II
• CHE 3238 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory
• MTH 1321 - Calculus I
• STA 2381 - Introductory Statistical Methods
• PHY 1408 - General Physics for Natural and Behavioral Sciences I AND 1409 - General Physics for Natural and Behavioral II OR:
• PHY 1420 - General Physics I AND 1430 - General Physics II OR:
• PHY 1420 - General Physics I AND 1409 - General Physics for Natural and Behavioral II

At least one course from the following:

• ANT 4330 - Epidemiology
• ANT 4325 - Medical Anthropology
• EVN 3314 - Introduction to Environmental Health (Cross-Listed as Bio 3315)
• PUBH 3351 - Epidemiology/Vital Statistics
• PUBH 4340 - Global Health (Cross-Listed as NUR 4340)