About the Different Majors
Biochemistry, biology and medical laboratory science majors are available to undergraduate students with an interest in what drives life and health. A desire to pursue big questions of "how" and "why" drive these students. No matter what your future profession—whether in health care, biotechnology or an entrepreneurial space—what you learn in your major at UT Austin will help to prepare you for success. Students in these majors learn from faculty in the Department of Molecular Biosciences and the Biology Instructional Office (BIO).
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of life. It combines biology and chemistry to investigate the structure, composition and chemical reactions of substances in living systems. It includes the disciplines of molecular biology and cell biology, as well as bioinorganic, bioorganic and biophysical chemistry.
Students may also opt for biochemistry honors or a B.S.A. degree. For more options, please see All Undergraduate Programs and Undergraduate Biology Majors and Courses.
Biology and Specialized Options
Many biology majors specialize in an area heavily supported by faculty in molecular biosciences and the Biology Instructional Office. Some biology specializations relate more to the Departments of Integrative Biology and Marine Science.
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Cell and Molecular Biology focuses on molecular and cellular biology, while covering genetics, evolution, developmental biology and microbiology (often through elective options). This is Biology, Option 5.
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Genetics and Genomics focuses on genetics, genomics and developmental biology, with additional focuses on bioinformatics and computational biology. This is Biology, Option 12.
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Microbiology and Infectious Diseases supports the study of structure, growth and metabolism, physiology and genetics of viruses, bacteria, fungi and the diseases that they produce. This is Biology, Option 4.
Students may also opt for biology honors (option 9), to specialize in teaching (8), or for a B.S.A. degree. For more options, please see All Undergraduate Programs and Undergraduate Biology Majors and Courses.
see the Biosciences Department overview
Medical Laboratory Science
This major is designed to meet the ever-increasing demand for laboratory professionals in hospitals and clinics, research, industry, public health, education and laboratory management. Academic coursework is combined with the completion of a 12-16 month clinical education at an accredited school of medical laboratory science or medical technology.
Courses Majors in these Sciences Take
Get a sense for some of the courses that many of our majors take below. A more complete list for each catalog may be found when you search for your degree option by the year of entry or catalog.
Biochemistry Major Coursework
Entry-Level Requirements
Natural Sciences students declare a degree and a major after receiving passing grades in key courses. For biochemistry, these are typically:
- Math: Differential and Integral Calculus (M 408C)
- Chemistry: Principles of Chemistry I (CH 301)/ Principles of Chemistry II (CH 302)
- Biology: Introductory Biology I (BIO 311C)/Introductory Biology II (BIO 311D); Genetics (BIO 325)
Examples of Courses
Students take additional courses in science and other disciplines, such as:
- General Physics
- Foundations of Biochemistry
- Elements of Statistics
- Molecular Biology
- Physical Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Biology Major Coursework
Entry-Level Requirements
Natural Sciences students declare a degree and a major after receiving passing grades in key courses. For biology, these are typically:
- Math: Differential and Integral Calculus (M 408C)
- Chemistry: Principles of Chemistry I (CH 301)/ Principles of Chemistry II (CH 302)
- Biology: Introductory Biology I (BIO 311C)/Introductory Biology II (BIO 311D); Genetics (BIO 325)
Examples of Courses
Students take additional courses in science and other disciplines, such as:
- Evolution
- Genetics, Genomics and Computational Biology
- Cellular Development and Molecular Biology
- Elements of Statistics
- General Physics
Medical Laboratory Sciences Coursework
Entry-Level Requirements
Natural Sciences students declare a degree and a major after receiving passing grades in key courses. For medical laboratory science, these are typically:
- Math: Differential and Integral Calculus (M 408C)
- Chemistry: Principles of Chemistry I (CH 301)/ Principles of Chemistry II (CH 302)
- Biology: Introductory Biology I (BIO 311C)/Introductory Biology II (BIO 311D); Genetics (BIO 325)
Examples of Courses
Students take additional courses in science and other disciplines and complete clinical education in a program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Courses include:
- Organic Chemistry and Introduction to Chemical Practices
- Fundamentals of Biochemistry
- Elements of Computers/Programming, Foundations of Information Technology Management or Introduction to Health Informatics
- Elements of Statistics