Students may choose from programs in biology which lead to a bachelor’s degree and, if elected, pre-professional preparation or secondary teacher licensure. The department facilitates student learning through careful advisement, small classes, and an excellent teaching faculty. Current facilities include modern laboratory instrumentation, field equipment, and networked computer systems.
The Biology Program offers several degree programs. The secondary teacher licensure program qualifies students for the Colorado standard teaching license in science education. Students following the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree programs prepare themselves for careers in private industry, natural resource management, or to continue their education in graduate programs and professional schools.
It is recommended students prepare for professional school admittance in dentistry by completing the B.S. (cellular and molecular biology) degree in biology or the B.S. (biochemistry) degree in chemistry prior to application for dental school admission. Most dental schools require the courses listed below. Be aware prerequisites vary among dental schools. What follows is typical of the minimum prerequisites. Early consultation with the pre-dental advisor is recommended to plan a program. Some upper-division courses have prerequisites not listed below.
Admission to postgraduate professional training in medicine is extremely competitive. As a rule, students can seek admission having earned a degree in any of a variety of disciplines, as long as specific courses have been completed as part of the program. Most medical schools require the courses listed below. Some medical schools have additional prerequisites. It is recommended students complete a B.S. degree in biology (cellular and molecular biology) or a B.S. degree in chemistry (biochemistry). It is highly recommended that students consult with the Adams State pre-medical advisor early in their program for information and schedule planning.
Adams State University offers pre-professional training to prepare students for admission to optometry schools. Typically, these institutions admit students who have completed a bachelor’s degree.
Adams State University offers pre-professional training to prepare students for admission to pharmacy school. A minimum of two years, but typically three years, of study is required. Students apply to the pharmacy school(s) of their choice towards the end of the fall semester of their sophomore or junior year. Most pharmacy schools now offer only the doctor of pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.), which requires four additional years of study after admission to the pharmacy school. As with all professional schools, admission to pharmacy school is competitive, and students must do well in their courses at Adams State in order to gain admission. All pharmacy schools require certain pre-professional courses, which students can take at Adams State, and some schools also require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Early in the first year at Adams State, students should check specific requirements for the pharmacy schools to which they plan to apply and should meet with the pre-pharmacy advisor to help plan an appropriate program of study.
Core science and mathematics courses required for most programs:
Admission to physician assistant programs is extremely competitive, roughly equivalent to admission to medical school. Students may seek admission having earned a degree in any of a variety of disciplines, as long as specific courses have been completed as part of the program. The following are the specific course requirements for admission to the University of Colorado Child Health Associate/ Physician Assistant Program. We recommend students complete a B.S. degree in biology (cellular and molecular biology) and seek consultation with the appropriate advisor. Some upper-division courses have prerequisites not listed below.
Students should prepare for admittance to professional schools in veterinary medicine by completing a B.S. degree in biology (cellular and molecular biology) or a B.S. degree in chemistry (biochemistry) prior to application for veterinary school admission. Veterinary schools often list minimum course requirements for admission. What follows is typical of these minimum course lists. Students are strongly urged to consult as early as possible with the biology pre-veterinary advisor to plan a program. Some upper-division courses have prerequisites not listed below.