May 15, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2014-2015 
    
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Undergraduate Record 2014-2015 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Biology

Return to: College of Arts & Sciences: Departments/Programs  

Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Biology

Students selecting the B.A. major must complete the introductory courses, BIOL 2010, BIOL 2020, BIOL 2030, and BIOL 2040, before taking upper level courses. Students, who score at least a 4 on the AP Biology exam or at least a 5 on upper-level examinations in the International Baccalaureate program, will receive six credits for BIOL 2010 and BIOL 2020 and are exempted from having to complete BIOL 2030 and BIOL 2040.

Other requirements for the B.A. in Biology include the core courses BIOL 3000, 3010 and 3020 and 12 additional credits in biology at or above the 3000 level, including at least three credits of laboratory work. The required laboratory course may be satisfied by any of the following options; i) a three-or four-credit departmental laboratory course; ii) any 3000 level or higher course taught at Mountain Lake Biological Station; iii) two semesters of independent research (BIOL 4910 or 4920) completed in the same laboratory. (Summer research applies if the student has enrolled in BIOL 4910/4920.) No more than 6 credit hours of independent study and research courses may be applied towards the B.A. in Biology, including BIOL 3585, BIOL 49104920, or BIOL 4993/4994.

A maximum of 6 credits from the Department of Environmental Sciences chosen from a list of approved biology-related courses may be included in the upper-level credits for the major. Students who complete both CHEM 4410 and 4420 may apply 4 credits towards the Biology major. Biology major courses taken elsewhere after matriculation must be approved and only one-half of the credits, up to a maximum of 6, transferred to the University may be used toward the biology major. The required core courses (BIOL 3000, 3010, and 3020) and lab course may not be taken elsewhere (transfer students exempted). While transfer and Environmental Sciences courses may be combined, the total applied towards the major may not exceed 6 credits since a minimum of 16 of the 22 credits of upper-level courses must be chosen from courses offered by the Biology Department at the University of Virginia. 

Related courses that are required for the B.A. in Biology include two semesters of introductory chemistry with labs. Completion of either CHEM 1410/1411 and CHEM1420/1421, or CHEM 1810/1811, and CHEM 1820/1821 satisfy this requirement. Students with AP credit for CHEM 1410 and 1420 must still complete the laboratory courses (CHEM 1411 plus 1421 or CHEM 1811 plus 1821). Additionally students must take one course in either calculus (MATH 1210, 1220, 1310 or 1320) or statistics (STAT 2020, 2120, 2559, or an equivalent or higher level course in another department). 

The overall grade point average for courses at the 3000 level and above presented in the major must be a 2.000 (C) or better. Students anticipating a career in the biological sciences are advised to take two semesters of organic chemistry with lab, two semesters of physics with lab (PHYS 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040), and at least one additional math course.

Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Biology

Students selecting the B.S. major must fulfill all of the requirements for the B.A., as noted above and including the same restrictions, plus an additional 11 credits of upper-level biology courses (3000 and above). These additional 11 credits must include a second 3-credit laboratory course. In addition, at least 4 of the upper-level courses must be at the 4000 or 5000-level.

Additional related courses, beyond those required for the B.A., include two semesters of organic chemistry (CHEM 2410, 2420 or the equivalent), one semester of introductory physics (PHYS 2010 or its equivalent), and a second course in math beyond introductory calculus or a statistics course (STAT 2020, 2120, or an equivalent or higher level course in another department). It is recommended that students interested in a career in the biological sciences take PHYS 2020, as well as labs in organic chemistry and physics.

Requirements for Minor

Introductory Biology course requirements

Although there are no specific requirements for introductory biology (or chemistry) courses for the Biology Minor, one or more of these preparatory courses are required prerequisites for all 3000-level and above biology courses.

Biology core course requirements

Students must complete any two of the BIOL core courses (BIOL 3000, 3010, or 3020). Students who complete all three core courses may apply the third towards the Biology upper-level course requirement.

Biology upper-level course requirements

Biology minors are required to complete a total of 15 hours of upper-level (3000 or above) required + elective courses. Two core courses are included in these minimum 15 hours. The remaining elective courses may consist of any combination of Biology lecture and laboratory courses, taught either at UVA or at Mountain Lake Biological Station. Two semesters (4 credits) of Independent Research (BIOL 4910/4920) conducted in one laboratory may be included in the credit hours for the minor. Only EVSC courses that are cross-listed with Biology (e.g. BIOL/EVSC 4100) may be counted toward minor credit. CHEM 4410 and 4420 may not be used to fulfill Biology minor credits. The overall grade point average presented for the minor must be at least 2.000. These courses include two core courses and enough additional 3000 level or higher elective BIOL courses to complete a total of 15 credit hours.

Academic Information

Credit for independent research courses may be applied toward the upper-level credits required for the major. Two credits are granted for each semester of independent research (BIOL 4910/4920). To fulfill a lab requirement for the Biology Major, two semesters of Independent Research must be completed in the same lab. An additional semester (three semesters in total) will satisfy the second lab requirement for the Bachelor of Science major. A maximum of 6 credits of independent research can be applied to either the B.A. or B.S. degree.

Students who score a 4 or a 5 on the AP biology examination will receive six credits for BIOL 2010 and 2020.

Students may petition to have upper-level transfer credits count toward the biology major. One-half credit will typically be granted for each credit up to a maximum of six credits. However, unique courses that broaden the undergraduate experience (e.g., field courses, marine biology, studies abroad, research opportunities) can receive full transfer credit. The required core courses (BIOL 3000, 3010, and 3020) and laboratory course may not be taken elsewhere (transfer students exempted) . In all cases, prior approval should be arranged with the Biology Department Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Six credits from Department of Environmental Sciences may be applied towards the biology major. These include EVSC 3200/3201 (Fundamentals of Ecology) and upper level (4000+) courses that have EVSC 3200 as a prerequisite. Students who complete both CHEM 4410 and 4420 (Biochemistry) may apply four credits toward the biology major.

Students are urged to broaden their biology training by taking courses from several biology sub-disciplines including: development, evolution, neurobiology, behavior, molecular and cellular biology, and conservation biology, for example.

Students with special academic requirements or experience may seek relief from these regulations by petitioning the Biology Department Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Specialization in Environmental and Biological Conservation

The Biology Department, in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Sciences, offers an opportunity for students to obtain the Bachelor of Arts or Science in Biology with a Specialization in Environmental and Biological Conservation. Candidates for the Specialization must fulfill all the requirements for the biology major. Many of the courses in this Specialization also count towards the major.

The requirements for the Specialization are as follows: two introductory courses in conservation biology (EVSC 2220, BIOL 3450), a 2 credit seminar in conservation, and an upper level course (BIOL 4130). In addition the Specialization requires at least one course in each of the following areas:

  1. Biological diversity: a course focused on a particular group of organisms.
  2. Environmental diversity: a course focused on a particular habitat.
  3. Techniques in conservation: a course focused on policy, statistics modeling, field methods or geo-spatial analysis.
  4. Experience in field studies: this can be fulfilled by independent study, or a summer field course at one of the University’s biological stations (Mountain Lake Biological Station, Blandy Experimental Farm), by involvement with the Africa research program in the Environmental Sciences Department, or by an internship with a conservation agency.

Students who are interested in this Specialization should consult with an advisor who is a faculty of the Program in Environmental and Biological Conservation, when declaring their major. EVSC 3200 may be substituted for EVSC 2220 for students that have already taken advanced classes.

Distinguished Majors Program in Biology

Eligibility

Applicants should have a serious commitment to research, with completion of at least one semester of Biology Independent Research (BIOL 4910/4920) and an overall grade point average of 3.400 after completion of at least three semesters of 3000-level or above Biology courses, including at least one core course (BIOL 3000, 3010 or 3020). Application to the Biology Distinguished Majors Program is made at the end of the 2nd or 3rd year. Although an overall GPA of 3.400 is required by UVA for graduation with distinction, research potential will be a major consideration for admission to the Biology Distinguished Majors Program.

Course Requirements

All DMP students must complete at least two semesters of Independent Research, as well as the two semesters of the DMP Seminar in Biological Research (BIOL 4810 and 4820). B.A. students are required to complete 27 credits in upper-level Biology courses; B.S. students are required to complete 33 credit hours in upper-level Biology courses. DMP Students must attain a minimum GPA of 3.400 in all biology courses and overall in the University.

Research Requirements

The research project is intended to foster independent thought and to develop the student’s critical ability to formulate and conduct scientific research. DMP students are required to complete a written DMP Thesis, describing their Independent Research studies (pursued through BIOL 4910/4920). In addition, they are required to deliver an oral presentation of their research at the Richard D. Katz Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium, which is held at the end of the spring semester each year.

Certification

DMP theses and Katz Symposium presentations will be evaluated by the Undergraduate Committee, together with the Distinguished Major Program Advisory Committee. On the basis of that evaluation, the Undergraduate Committee will recommend to the chair and faculty of the biology department that each degree be awarded with one of the following levels of distinction:

  1. with no distinction
  2. with distinction
  3. with high distinction
  4. with highest distinction

The decision of the biology faculty regarding each candidate will be forwarded to the Committee on Special Programs and the university registrar prior to commencement.

Additional Information

For more information, contact the Department of Biology, 229 Gilmer Hall, P.O. Box 400328, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4328; (434) 982-5474; www.virginia.edu/biology.

Course Descriptions

Notes:

Biology courses numbered from 1000 to 1990 are intended to satisfy the College Area Requirements for non-science majors. These courses have no prerequisites.

Students selecting the Biology major must complete the introductory courses, BIOL 2010, BIOL 2020, BIOL 2030, and BIOL 2040, before taking upper level courses. Students who score at least a 4 on the AP Biology exam, 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 and are exempted from completing BIOL 2030 and BIOL 2040.

All 3000 level classes require BIOL 2010 and/or 2020. All 3000 level classes count towards upper level course requirements for Biology majors. All lecture and laboratory courses at the 4000 level and above have at least one of the 3 core courses as a prerequisite.

Many of the courses listed below are not regular offerings of the Biology Department; each semester’s Schedule of Courses should be consulted to determine when/if any specific course is being offered.