Majors and Programs

The Biology program operates with the mission to advance biological knowledge via hands-on active-learning, problem-solving and reasoning-skills. This is accomplished through outdoor field experiences, independent research projects, and formal laboratory courses integrated throughout the program. Our biology courses are designed to provide students with opportunities to learn concepts, theories, and basics of the discipline while developing critical-thinking skills that are crucial toward later job and professional placement. Students take away an understanding of how evolution via natural selection is the unifying theory of biology, gain hands-on skills for field and lab work that most do not have the opportunity to gain during undergraduate education, and learn to read and analyze scientific literature in order to apply critical thinking skills.

Previous students have returned and discussed the strengths they gained from our small class size, individual attention, and hands-on opportunities that are possible due to the design of our program. Students leave the program with a broad training in most aspects of modern biology, as well as being prepared to apply for advanced specialty disciplines such as pre-medicine and other health fields. Our faculty participate in outreach to the state, nation, and world through service to the university community, public, governmental sectors, and professional societies, so that these experiences can be shared with our students, giving many undergraduates opportunities that are not commonly encountered until graduate education.

Pre-Nursing
Sul Ross State University offers courses which satisfy requirements for the first two years of most four-year professional nursing programs outlined by the various schools of nursing.  Students should follow the course rotation for the first two years of the SRSU BSN program to prepare for the SRSU BSN or any other BSN program in Texas.

Pre-Health Professions including Pre-Medicine and Pre-Dentistry and Pre-Pharmacy
Students interested in applying for admission to medical or dental school may major in any undergraduate field they wish. Professional school admission committees do not state a preference about an undergraduate major field, and students may select a degree program suited to their interests. They must work closely with the Pre-Professional Advisor in the Department of Biology, Geology, and Physical Sciences to develop a program which will satisfy the requirements of both their chosen major field and the professional schools of their interest.  To prepare for professional schools a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry allows students to accrue all the course work needed for admission to most programs.  The program of study is included in the Pre-Professional Degree Plan.

For those students that are eligible, Sul Ross also participates in the JAMP, or Joint Early Admission Program, for medical school admission and assistance for economically disadvantaged Texans. For more information, see the JAMP tab.  Sul Ross also works with UTHSC-SA for a Dental Early Admission Program, DEAP.  More information is in the DEAP tab.

Joint Admission Medical Program
The Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) is a program created by Senate Bill 940 of the 77th Texas Legislature to:

• Provide services to support and encourage economically disadvantaged students (Estimated Family Contribution- EFC-of up to $8,000 to be eligible for consideration) pursuing a medical education (Includes students that are Pell Grant eligible);
• Award undergraduate and medical school scholarships; and
• Provide for the admission of those students who satisfy both academic and non-academic requirements to at least one participating medical school.

JAMP is supported by continuing appropriations from the Texas Legislature. Students receive

• A scholarship each semester beginning in the spring semester of student’s sophomore year of college.
• A stipend to attend summer internships following the student’s sophomore and junior years of college at SRSU.
• Mentoring and personal assistance to prepare for medical school while attending SRSU.
• Interviews to Texas medical schools if all program requirements are met
• A scholarship to attend one of the participating medical schools in Texas.

How to become a part of JAMP
First, it is preferred that students who graduate from high school or a home-school program enroll at SRSU in the fall semester immediately following graduation, although early transfer and military are encouraged to apply as well. As a senior in high school, the student must

• Be an American citizen or permanent U.S. resident.
• Be a Texas resident in terms of college tuition.
• Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry into the program.
• Apply for admission to SRSU.
• Take the SAT or ACT and earn a score not less than the mean for the state of Texas and provide the scores to SRSU.
• No more than 3 courses can be used toward JAMP from Advanced Placement hours earned in high school.
• Complete and submit the FAFSA and be eligible to receive a Pell Grant in the student’s freshman year of college.
• Must be able to participate in 2 summer internships with JAMP.

As a freshman, or a transfer student, the student must

• Complete 27 hours of undergraduate credit during the freshman year with a 3.25 overall GPA or higher and a 3.25 GPA in biology, chemistry, physics, and math (no more than 3 hours of AP credit can be counted toward this requirement).
• Have completed both semesters of General Chemistry with a C or better.
• Be able to participate in 2 summer internships with JAMP.
• Be capable of performing medical school essential functions and tasks required to complete medical school curriculum.
• Meet requirements to be employed as a medical resident, including but not limited to passing criminal history checks and complying with immunization requirements.
• Applicants will need to provide an EFC score for their freshman year and sophomore year. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their EFC.

Applying to JAMP
The student may begin the online application on May 1st and submit the completed application no later than October 1st. For details about the pre-JAMP and JAMP scholarship programs, contact:
Dr. Christopher Ritzi, JAMP Faculty Director
Sul Ross State University
Box C-64 Alpine, Texas 79832
432.837.8112
critzi@sulross.edu

Dental Early Admission Program
Through a cooperative agreement between The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Sul Ross State University, individuals interested in dentistry may obtain both a bachelor’s of science degree and a doctorate in dental science degree in seven years. Dual degree students will complete three years of their undergraduate degree at Sul Ross State University, and after completion of the first year of dental courses, complete their fourth year while attending dental school. Sul Ross will apply those credits towards completing the bachelor’s degree requirements.
Students Accepted to DEAP Receive

• Mentoring and personal assistance to prepare for dental school while attending SRSU.
• Admission to UTHSC-SA Dental School if all program requirements are met.
• Undertake a Dental Immersion Experience- get to meet and shadow individuals already at dental school and meet your future professors.
• Complete fourth year of B.S. in Biology while taking dental courses at UTHSC-SA.
• 3 + 4 = 2 (Three years college, four years dental school, two degrees)
• Receive access to study materials for DAT preparation.

Applying for DEAP
Students should apply for the DEAP Program after completing 12 semester hours, but before they have completed 32 semester hours. The student will have a pre-entry interview with UTHSC-SA and must have Texas residence status or receive a waiver from UTHSC-SA. Applications are available at the Biology Office.
For more information, contact
Dr. Christopher Ritzi
Sul Ross State University Box C-64 Alpine, TX 79832
432.837.8420
critzi@sulross.edu

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Science in Biology:  120  

This degree rotation is recommended for students that need a 4 year Pre-Professional degree.

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Student Teaching Semester

Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Science in Biology-Certification Track: 121

This degree rotation is recommended for students that are seeking a Biology degree with a Composite Science Teaching Certification for Secondary Education