THE DISTINGUISHED MAJORS PROGRAM IN BIOLOGY

The Distinguished Majors program in the Department of Biology provides students the opportunity to conduct a significant body of independent research culminating in a formal written thesis and oral presentation. Students also participate in a weekly seminar where they discuss recent advances in biology, explore the philosophy of science, and learn skills in oral and written research presentation. Students may choose research mentors from the Biology faculty as well as some of the departments in the medical center. If you are considering a career in Biology or graduate school, this intensive research experience is great way to get a taste of what it will be like. In their final year, when most DM projects are conducted, students often really enjoy focusing and becoming a specialist in an area that they have learned about in classes. Finally, research labs are small communities, you would be joining other undergraduates, graduate students, post-docs and faculty all carrying out related research. The lab environment is often as fun, rewarding, and filled with learning opportunities as the research itself.

                                Requirements & Policies

A. ELIGIBILITY and APPLICATION:

Students with an over-all grade point average and GPA in Biology of 3.40 or higher after five semesters may apply to enter the Distinguished Majors Program (DMP).  Application for the DMP should be made to the program director, Dr. Robert Kretsinger (rhk5i@virginia.edu), during the spring term for the following fall semester. Applications must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from a member of the Biology faculty.  Notification of acceptance will be mailed after grades for the spring term are available in early May.  Provisional admission to students with cumulative grade point averages below 3.40 but above 3.20 will be granted in exceptional cases.

B. REQUIREMENTS and GRADING:

1. Completion of 27 credit hours in upper-level courses approved for the Biology major, beyond BIOL 201, 202 (or AP equivalent), and 203, 204.  Core I and II and an upper-level laboratory course are included in these 27 hours. (Requirements 2 and 3 are also counted toward this requirement.)

2. A minimum grade point average of 3.40 in all Biology courses and overall in the University.

3. Two semesters of Independent Research, BIOL 491-498.  Students may enroll in additional semesters of independent research in accordance with Research Requirements and Policies. BIOL 491-497 are graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory and will not contribute to the student's GPA. (Click Here for important information and deadlines for BIOL 491-498, 2007-08)

4. Distinguished major candidates must enroll in BIOL 498 during the spring semester of their fourth year.  Students enrolled in BIOL 498 will receive a letter grade that will contribute to both the student's overall and major GPAs.  Distinguished Major candidates conducting research in the Biology department should enroll using the faculty mentor's instructor number.  The mentor will determine the grade S/U for 491-497 and the letter grade for 498.  Distinguished Major candidates working with faculty members outside of Biology should enroll using the instructor number of the Director of the Distinguished Majors Program (R.H.K. 2419).  Grade of S/U or of A/B/C/D will be determined by the Director of the DMP based on the recommendation of the student's research mentor.

5. Distinguished major candidates must enroll in BIOL 481/482 during their final year.

C. EVALUATION and CERTIFICATION:

The Director of the DMP will evaluate the research thesis.  The Undergraduate Committee and other Biology faculty members invited by the Director of the DMP will attend and evaluate the presentations at the Undergraduate Research Symposium. On the basis of these evaluations the Undergraduate Committee will recommend to the Chairman and Faculty of the Biology Department that the degree be awarded:

  1) without distinction
  2) with distinction
  3) with high distinction, or
  4) with highest 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 by email prior to commencement.

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