UVA Biology Undergraduate


	Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology HEGIS CODE: 160401

	The BS degree is intended for students who wish to pursue a very intensive program of study in the biological sciences. It is primarily intended for students who plan to seek largely technical careers in the biological sciences immediately after graduation and do not plan to pursue graduate studies. In contrast to the BA degree, the BS degree does not afford students the opportunity to pursue a double major or minor in another discipline. Completion of the BS degree does not necessarily confer a competitive advantage for students considering applying to either medical or graduate programs.

	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 and two semesters of organic chemistry lecture. The general 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 2220 course (Solutions Chemistry). The organic chemistry lecture must be satisfied by completing two semesters of organic chemistry lecture (CHEM 2410 and 2420). Organic lab is not required, but students may need to petition the chemistry department to enroll in organic lecture without enrolling in the lab. Students anticipating a career in the biological sciences are strongly advised to also take organic chemistry with the labs (e.g., 2411, and 2421).

		Math and Physics
		Majors are required to complete two courses in calculus or statistics and 3 hours of physics. The calculus or statistics requirement may be met with MATH 1210, 1220, 1310, 1320, STAT 2559, 2120, 2020 or an equivalent or higher level course in another department. The physics requirement can be met with any one of the following courses: PHYS 1425, PHYS 2415, PHYS 1610, PHYS 1620, PHYS 2010, PHYS 2020. Students anticipating a career in the biological sciences are strongly advised to take two semesters of physics with lab (e.g., PHYS 2010 & 2030; PHYS 2020 & 2040)

		Biology "Core" Course Requirements
		Majors are required to complete BIOL 3000 (Cell Biology & Biochemistry), BIOL 3010 (Genetics & Molecular Biology), and BIOL 3020 (Evolution & Ecology). It is required that 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 and 3 hours of upper-level laboratory course work (4000-level or above) for the B.S. degree. Note that 4000-level lab courses require a 3000-level lab course as a prerequisite, so plan accordingly. These lab requirements can be satisfied by a "formal" BIOL laboratory course or a course taught at Mountain Lake Biological Station. The 3000-level lab requirement can be satisified by completing 2 semesters of BIOL 4911-4918 Independent Research conducted under the direction of the same faculty mentor. The 4000-level lab requirement can be satisfied by completing a 3rd semester of BIOL 4911-4918 Research, again conducted under the direction of the same faculty mentor.

		Upper-Level Biology Course Requirements
		Majors are required to complete a total of 33 hours of upper-level (3000 or above) biology courses. The three core courses (BIOL 3000, 3010, 3020) and the required laboratory courses are included in these minimum 33 hours. B.S. students must complete a minimum of four 400-level biology courses of at least 3 credits each. The required 4000 level lab course, independent research and 4000-level courses from the departments of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences (subject to the restrictions outlined below) may all be applied to this 4000-level course requirement. Up to 6 of the 33 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 4911-4918, can be applied as elective credit. Completion of two semesters of BIOL 4911-4918 under the direction of the same faculty mentor satisfies one of the two lab course requirements for the BS degree. Completion of a third semester of BiOL 4911-4918 under the direction of the same faculty mentor satisfies the second lab course requirement.

		Grade Point Average
		The overall GPA for courses presented for the B.S. degree must be at least 2.000. These courses consist of: BIOL 3000, BIOL 3010, BIOL 3020; the two courses (or three semesters of independent research) used to satisfy the two laboratory course requirements; your "best" remaining 3000 level or higher elective BIOL courses up to a total of 33 credit hours.

	Distinguished Majors Program (DMP)
	Biology Undergraduate FAQ

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