Sam Houston State University:
The objectives of the Department of Biological Sciences are to train professional biologists and natural scientists; to prepare teachers of biology; and to provide the background for effective work in life sciences, environmental science, family and consumer science, physics, agriculture, law, medicine, nursing, nutrition, medical technology, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, and forensics.

The Department of Biological Sciences at Sam Houston State University is recognized for its faculty, physical facilities, library holdings, curriculum, and research. Students completing the Bachelor of Science degree are prepared for careers in industry, academia, government, and forensic science; for admission to professional schools; and for admission to advanced degree programs.

Participants of 2+2 programs at community colleges are especially welcome and encouraged to complete the Bachelor of Science degree at Sam Houston State University. Additional information may be found at http://www.shsu.edu/~bio_www.

Wharton County	SHSU	Credit	Common Course
First Year
CHEM 1411* CHEM 1412*	CHM 138*/118* CHM 139*/119*	3/1 3/1	CHEM 1311/1111,  CHEM 1312/1112
ENGL 1301	ENG 164	3	ENGL 1301
ENGL 1302	ENG 165	3	ENGL 1302
HIST 1301	HIS 163	3	HIST 1301
HIST 1302	HIS 164	3	HIST 1302
PHED Activity	KIN 215	1
MATH 2413 MATH 2414	MTH 142 MTH 143	4 4	MATH 2413 MATH 2414
Second Year
CHEM 2423 CHEM 2425	CHM 238*/218* CHM 239*/219*	3/1 3/1	CHEM 2323/2123, CHEM 2325/2125
Performing/Visual Arts	Art, Dance, Music, Theater elective (3 hours)	3
ENGL 2332, 2333, 2322, 2323, 2327 or 2328	ENG 265, 266 or 267	3	ENGL 2331/2332, 2342, 2343
GOVT 2301	POL 261	3	GOVT 2301
GOVT 2302	POL 285	3	GOVT 2302
COSC 1301	CS 143*	3	COSC 1401
	BIO 161*/111* (PREFERRED)	3/1	BIOL 1311/1111
	BIO 162*/112* (PREFERRED)	3/1	BIOL 1313/1113
	or
BIOL 1406	BIO 138, 118 (See Note 2)		BIOL 1306/1106
BIOL 1407	BIO 139, 119		BIOL 1307/1107
SPCH 1315

Forensic Science and Biology

Transfer students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Forensics emphasis should consider a minor in Chemistry and/or Criminal Justice. The required first two years of core courses for the Forensics emphasis in all academic areas (e.g., math, science, english, history, etceteras) are the same as the above listed courses for the major in Biology. The emphasis in Forensics is accomplished by selecting from appropriate upper division courses (junior and senior level).

A maximum of 66 credit hours (excluding kinesiology) may be transferred from a community college to Sam Houston State University. Students should carefully select courses to complete the associate degree while minimizing the number of hours that might exceed the 66 hour cap for transfer credit.

In addition to the above courses, all courses in the State of Texas Common Core may be transferred between institutions. 

Students may transfer to SHSU at any time as long as they meet SHSU's admission requirements. Students close to completing the requirements for the associate degree are encouraged to consider the potential advantages of completing the associate degree. One way to accomplish this is to transfer courses taken at SHSU back to the community college to complete degree requirements. Properly selected courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements at both institutions simultaneously. The applicant is encouraged to speak to an academic advisor familiar with the programs of all institutions involved to maximize the amount of transferable credit.

Notes:

1. We have endeavored to make this pamphlet error free. All listings are based on the SHSU 2002-2004 catalogue and Wharton County Junior College 2004-05 catalogue. The respective catalogues are the final word if a discrepancy appears between this pamphlet and a catalogue.
2. SHSU no longer offers BIO 138/118 and BIO 139/119. However, the Department accepts the equivalent courses as transfer credit toward either the major or minor in Biology.
3. SHSU courses with 300 and 400 level numbers are considered as upper division and must be completed at SHSU. Credit may not be transferred from a community college for upper division courses.
4. An * indicates the course is required at the specified educational institution.
5. Applications for admission to SHSU may be obtained on line at https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/commonapp.wbx or by calling Undergraduate Admissions at (936) 294-1828. Extensive information is also available on the SHSU web site at http://www.shsu.edu/
6. Sam Houston State University and Wharton County Junior College are both accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).