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| DISTINGUISHED MAJORS PROGRAM | ||||
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The Distinguished Majors program in the Department of Biology is a research oriented program that provides students the opportunity to conduct a significant body of independent research culminating in a formal written thesis and oral presentation at the end of the spring semester. Students also participate in a weekly seminar where they discuss recent advances in biology, attend biology seminars and interact with seminar speakers, explore the philosophy and practice of science, and learn skills in oral and written research presentation. Students may choose research mentors from the Biology faculty, from selected laboratories in the UVA medical center from in other laboratories conducting biologically related research. |
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REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETING THE DISTINGUISHED MAJOR IN BIOLOGY | |||
1. Demonstrated evidence of a serious commitment to research as evidenced by exceptional performance in at least two semesters of Independent Research, BIOL 4911-4918. Students may enroll in additional semesters of independent research in accordance with Biology undergraduate degree policies (University of Virginia Undergraduate Record/Biology). |
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Distinguished Major candidates conducting independent research in the Biology department should enroll in BIOL491x using the faculty mentor's instructor number. Candidates working with faculty members outside of Biology should enroll using the instructor number of the Director of the Distinguished Majors Program (J. Hirsh: 3882). Grading will be determined by the Director of the DMP based on the recommendation of the student's research mentor. 2. All DMP candidates must attain a minimum GPA of 3.400 overall in the University. DMP candidates pursuing a B.A. degree must attain a 3.400 in the 22 credit hours presented for the B.A. degree with the additional inclusion of BIOL 4810 and BIOL 4820. DMP candidates pursuing a B.S. degree must attain a 3.400 in the 33 credit hours presented for the B.S. degree with the additional inclusion of BIOL 4810 and BIOL 4820. 3. Completion of 27 credit hours of Biology (or approved equivalent) courses at or above the 3000 level. 4. Successful completion of BIOL 4810/4820, Seminar in Biological Research, during their final year. 5. Completion of a written DMP Thesis and an oral presentation of the research project at the Richard D. Katz Undergraduate Research Symposium. The Katz Symposium is held in late April and gives DMP candidates an opportunity to present their research findings to Biology students and faculty. The DMP thesis and Katz Symposium presentations will be evaluated by the Undergraduate Committee. On the basis of these evaluations the Undergraduate Committee will recommend to the Chairman and Faculty of the Biology Department tht one of the follopwing degrees be awarded: 1) without distinction The decision of the Biology faculty regarding each candidate will be forwarded to the Committee on Special Programs and to the University Registrar at least ten days before commencement. Students will be notified of their degree status by email prior to commencement. |
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ELIGIBILITY and APPLICATION | |||
Students with a serious commitment to research, and with an overall grade point average after five semesters in Biology of 3.400 or higher, may apply to enter the Distinguished Majors Program (DMP). Earlier application may be made in exceptional cases. Application for the DMP should be made to the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Rita Webb (rea2d@virginia.edu), during the spring term for the following fall semester. Applications should contain a brief (two page maximum) description of research experience and the proposed research project, and must be accompanied by a written endorsement of the project by the proposed research mentor. An overall GPA of 3.400 is required by UVA for graduation with distinction, but research potential will be a major consideration for admission to this program. For students initiating a research project during the summer prior to their fourth year, application at the end of the summer will be considered. |
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DISTINGUISHED MAJOR PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE | |||
Jay Hirsh, Chair |
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| Laura Galloway, Committee Member | ||||
| Dorothy Schafer, Committee Member | ||||
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