Frequently Asked Questions

Biology Undergraduate Programs

Why should I choose your program? What makes your division special?

The TWU Biology Division is made up of caring faculty who get to know their students as individuals, and students who collaborate and support each other.

How many students are in your program?

We have around 500 Biology majors and around 50 Medical Technology majors in our program.

How big are the classes?

Class size depends on the class. Introductory lecture classes tend to be larger, with between 50 and 100 students per class. Laboratory courses and upper-level lecture courses are much smaller, usually only 20-25 students.

Do faculty actually teach the classes?

All of the lecture courses in the Biology Division are taught by faculty. Our laboratory courses are team-taught. We have many different sections of the same laboratory course at different times during the week. Although the sections are taught by different instructors, they meet once a week as a team to discuss course content and assignments. Each of these teams is led by a senior faculty member with extensive teaching experience.

What can I do with a degree in biology?

Anything you want! Our graduates have gone on to successful careers as doctors, dentists, optometrists, physician assistants, nurses, clinical laboratory scientists, research scientists, teachers, and science writers, just to name a few. If you can imagine it, we can help you achieve it!

I want to do laboratory research while I am an undergraduate. How hard is it for me to get involved in that?

It’s really easy! All of our research labs welcome undergrads, and many Biology majors choose to do several semesters of undergraduate research. We also offer an undergraduate certificate program in biological research, which allows you to gain additional scientific communication and presentation skills and looks great on your resume.

I’m pre-med. Is the TWU Biology Division the right choice for me?

Our division is a great place for pre-med students. You can have any major as a pre-med, so the most important thing is to follow your passion. If you are excited about biology, we have a pre-medical track in the Bachelor of Science in Biology degree plan that is designed to meet your prerequisites and give you a foundation to prepare for the MCAT. We also offer a minor in neuroscience for students who are specifically interested in the biology of the brain. If you choose a major outside of the natural sciences, our division has a pre-med minor to help you prepare for medical school. For more information about all the resources available for premedical students at TWU, check out the Pre-Health Resources page on the TWU website.

What about other health professions: pre-dental, pre-PA, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy? Do you have options for those students as well?

Absolutely! The Biology Division is a great fit for all pre-health students. We recommend that pre-dental, pre-optometry, and pre-pharmacy students choose the pre-med track in the Bachelor of Science in Biology degree plan. Students planning to apply to a physician assistant program should choose the pre-PA track in the Bachelor of Science in Biology degree plan, which was designed to specifically meet prerequisites for PA school. For more information about all the resources available for pre-medical students at TWU, check out the Pre-Health Resources page on the TWU website.

What is the Medical Laboratory Sciences program? How is that different from the pre-med track?

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences is a highly specialized degree plan designed to prepare students for a career as a clinical laboratory scientist. This is an exciting and expanding career field that is expected to increase in importance as medical diagnostic technologies continue to advance. Our medical technology program includes 3 years of coursework at TWU, followed by a year of coursework and hands-on clinical diagnostic rotations at one of our three clinical partner sites. After graduation, you will be ready to take a certification exam to become a clinical laboratory scientist.

Where can I go for more information about your program?

If you have questions we haven’t answered yet, send us an email at biology@twu.edu. We would love to hear from you!

Page last updated 4:14 PM, October 9, 2023