The major orientation of the Department of Biology is toward an organismal approach to the life sciences, emphasizing integrated ecological and co-evolutionary studies of plants and animals through field work in the Chihuahuan Desert region.

The curriculum is designed to provide broad training in most aspects of modern biology, and will also prepare students for almost any advanced specialty discipline including microbiology, pre-medical and other pre-health professions.

The department also offers courses that meet the requirements for associate certification as a wildlife biologist as set forth by the Wildlife Society and lead to the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

The department maintains one of the largest herbaria in Texas, highly regarded vertebrate animal and insect collections, modern greenhouses and excellent laboratory facilities, including molecular labs involved in DNA analysis and molecular typing of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains.