The Texas administration code named the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as the gatekeeper for advanced degrees earned in Texas public institutions. The reason for this oversight is to keep higher education standards high for Texas students. Accredited colleges in Texas create their own course plans and send them to the board for approval. Any alterations to existing plans or creation of new plans must receive approval before any degrees may be conferred.
Since 1987, students, including biology students, who receive higher education degrees must complete at least 42 credit hours of courses considered "core requirements." These courses help students receive a more rounded education and increase their knowledge and skills in other intellectual areas. Required courses include: communication, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, visual arts, performing arts, social sciences and behavioral sciences. All colleges must create a core requirements plan that students will follow before they receive their associates degree. Core requirements vary amongst different colleges, so knowing the specific requirements for your specific school is necessary to successfully attain your associates degree.
Individual colleges have the authority to create their own degree plans, so there are variations between each. According to the student catalogs of three popular two-year colleges-- Blinn Junior College, Austin Community College and the Lone Star College System-- differences exist between each specific institution. Each school requires between 12 to 16 semester credit hours in biology. Some schools also require specific biology courses to satisfy the degree requirements, but some others do not. Each school will release course catalogs that include the required concentration courses for the specific degree plan. Blinn College recommends seeking advice from an academic counselor for course selection.
Texas law requires students to earn at least 60 semester credit hours before receiving their associates degree. Of those 60 hours, at least 42 will be core curriculum and other requirements will be satisfied by approved biology degree plan courses. Comparing several two-year colleges across Texas, most colleges require more than 60 credit hours to receive your associates degree; however, no college may require more than 66 semester credit hours for any associates degree.