2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Biology Major - BS

Requirements for a Major in Biology

Bachelor of Science

Required Courses
BIOL 121Foundations of Experimental Biology4
BIOL 123Principles in Molecular Biology3
BIOL 200Genetics4
BIOL 205Evolution3
Select one semester of chemistry at or above the CHEM 215 level4
Select six additional courses above the 180-level, with at least one course from each of the following three groups: 121-24
Cell and Molecular Group
Cell Biology
Microbiology
Reproductive & Stem Cell Biology
Biological Microscopy
Molecular Genetics
Human Genetics
Immunology
Cellular & Molecular Neurobiology
Biochemistry I
Biochemistry II
Organismal Group
Plant Taxonomy
Plant Physiology
Ichthyology
Entomology
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Vertebrate Field Biology
Ecology Group
Marine Biology
Medical & Veterinary Entomology
Freshwater Ecology
Ecology
Tropical Biodiversity
Conservation Genetics
Conservation Genetics (with Lab)
Ecological Simulation
Microbial Symbiosis
Up to three of the following courses can be used to meet the "Six additional courses" requirement.
Infectious Disease & Public Health
Biostatistics
Research in Biology
Research in Biology
Internship in Biology (Unpaid)
Internship in Biology (Paid)
Independent Study
Independent Study
Research in Biology
Research in Biology
Senior Project
Senior Project
Mathematical Biology
Electives
Must complete four additional courses from the following: 212-16
Introduction to Statistics
Calculus I
Calculus II
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry II
Introductory Physics
Introductory Physics
Introduction to Computer Science
Data Structures
Behavioral Neuroscience Techniques
Behavioral and Statistical Modeling
Biostatistics
Research in Biology
Research in Biology
Senior Project
Capstone
BIOL 499Biology Capstone 33
Total Hours54-61
1

At least three of the six courses must be four hour courses.

2

Note that these four additional courses must be distinct from the six courses about the 180-level listed above.

3

Must successfully complete BIOL 499 in the senior year.

All courses counted towards the major must be completed with a minimum grade of C-. Students double-majoring in biology, particularly those with their second major in cognate disciplines, such as math, physics, chemistry, and psychology, must still complete the biology capstone.

Requirements for a Teaching Endorsement in Biology

Students who are interested in earning a teaching license from the Commonwealth of Virginia to teach grades 6 –12 should double major in Biology and Education. Interested students should contact both their Biology advisor and their Education advisor. The program requirements of a student planning to major in education for the purpose of certification in Biology vary from those of other Biology majors. Information regarding the Education program and required courses for licensure can be found in the Teacher Preparation Handbook .

BIOL 121Foundations of Experimental Biology4
BIOL 123Principles in Molecular Biology3
BIOL 200Genetics4
BIOL 201Cell Biology4
BIOL 205Evolution3
BIOL 499Biology Capstone3
Select one of the following botany courses:4
Plant Taxonomy
Plant Physiology
Select one of the following organismal courses:4
Ichthyology
Entomology
Vertebrate Field Biology
Select one of the following anatomy/physiology courses:4
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Select one of the following ecology courses:4
Marine Biology
Ecology
Tropical Biodiversity
Select one of the following physics courses:4
A Hitchhiker's Guide to Physics (With Apologies to Douglas Adams)
Introductory Physics
Select one of the following earth science courses:4
Introductory Astronomy
Environmental Chemistry
Introduction to Geology and the Environment
A Geologic History of Earth
Select one of the following chemistry courses:4
Principles of Chemistry
Basic Inorganic Chemistry
Quantitative Chemical Analysis
Select one of the following statistics courses:3-4
Introduction to Statistics
Introduction to Statistics
Biostatistics