UVA Biology Undergraduate


	Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology HEGIS CODE: 150401

	The BA degree is intended for biology majors who may also wish to simultaneously pursue a major or minor in another discipline, or who want to take advantage of the diverse courses offered in the humanities and social sciences. Although the BA degree requires fewer biology courses than does the BS degree, it nonetheless affords a solid education in the biological sciences. Students who complete the BA degree are highly competitive for admissions to premiere medical and graduate schools.

	PLANNING GUIDE
	CHECKLIST
	HOW TO DECLARE A MAJOR

	BASIC DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
		Introduction to Biology
		The Biology Department offers a two-semester introductory sequence of courses, BIOL 2010, 2020, 2030, and 2040. These courses are required for biology majors and partially satisfy the premedical/ predental biology requirement. Biology AP Credit: Students who score at least a 4 on the AP Biology examination, or at least a 5 on upper-level examinations in the International Baccalaureate Program, will receive six credit hours for BIOL 2010 and BIOL 2020. Students who have AP credit must take BIOL 2030 and 2040 or have equivalent experiences. Students with AP credit who are missing one or both of the lab equivalent experiences must take the course/s in which they do not have equivalent experience. Students with AP credit who have equivalent experiences in both courses may move on to upper-level labs.

		Chemistry
		Majors are required to complete two semesters of general chemistry with lab. The chemistry requirement must be satisfied by completing CHEM 1410, 1420, 1411, and 1421. (CHEM 1810, 1820, 1811, and 1821 also satisfies this requirement). Students with AP chemistry credit for 1410 and 1420 must still complete the laboratory courses. The laboratory requirement can be met with 1411 plus 1421, 1811 plus 1821, two higher level lab courses, or the one-semester CHEM 222 course (Solutions Chemistry). Students anticipating a career in the biological sciences are strongly advised to also take two semesters of organic chemistry with lab (e.g., CHEM 2410, 2420, 2411, and 2421).

		Math and Physics
		Majors are required to complete one course in calculus (MATH 1210, 1220, 1310, or 1320) or statistics (STAT 2559, 2120, 2020 or an equivalent or higher level course in another department). Students anticipating a career in the biological sciences are strongly advised also to take at least one additional math course as well as two semesters of physics with lab (PHYS 2010, 2020, 2030, and 2040).

		Biology "Core" Course Requirements
		Majors are required to complete three Core courses: BIOL 3000 (Cell Biology & Biochemistry), BIOL 3010 (Genetics & Molecular Biology), and BIOL 3020 (Evolution & Ecology). It is required two of these courses be completed by the end of the third year. EXCEPTION for Transfer Students Only: Transfer students entering in their third year do not have to complete two Core courses during their third year.

		Biology Laboratory Course Requirements
		Majors are required to complete at least 3 hours of laboratory course work at or above the 3000 level. This lab requirement can be satisfied by a departmental course, a course taught at Mountain Lake Biological Station, or with two semesters of independent research conducted in one laboratory. Summer research, unless enrolled in BIOL 4911-4918, does not satisfy the upper-level lab requirement. Lab courses offered by other departments do not fulfill the Biology major laboratory requirement.

		Upper-Level Biology Course Requirements
		Majors are required to complete a total of 22 hours of upper-level (3000 or above) biology courses. The three core courses (BIOL 3000, 3010, and 3020) and the required laboratory course are included in these minimum 22 hours. Sixteen of the 22 hours of upper-level credits required for the major must be taken from courses listed by the Biology Department. Students should take the opportunity to broaden their training by taking elective courses from among several biology subdisciplines. Up to 6 of the 22 upper level credits required for majors may be taken from the following two options outside the Biology Department: 1. Students who complete both CHEM 4410 and CHEM 4420 may apply 4 credits toward the upper-level Biology courses. 2. Courses offered by the Environmental Sciences Department including EVSC 3200/3201 (Fundamentals of Ecology) and upper level (4000+) courses that have EVSC 3200 as a prerequisite may count toward the upper level Biology courses. Students may petition the Biology Undergraduate Committee to have credit for other biologically oriented courses in Environmental Sciences count toward the Biology major.

		Restrictions: Biology 3585, 3950, and 4911-4918
		No more than 6 semester hours of credit toward the Biology major may be awarded for any combination of research courses, including 3585, 3950, and 4911-4918. Each semester of independent research contributes 2 credits towards the major up to a maximum of 6 credits (3 semesters). Additional semesters of BIOL 491-498 can be applied as elective credit. Completion of two semesters of BIOL 4911-4918 under the direction of the same faculty mentor satisfies the Biology laboratory course requirement for the BA degree.

		Grade Point Average
		The overall GPA for courses presented for the B.A. degree must be at least 2.000. These courses consist of: BIOL 3000, BIOL 3010, BIOL 3020; the course (or two semesters of independent research) used to satisfy the laboratory course requirement; your "best" remaining 3000 level or higher elective BIOL courses up to a total of 22 credit hours.

	Distinguished Majors Program (DMP)
	Biology Undergraduate FAQ

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