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Undergraduate Record 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED RECORD]
Biology
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Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Students selecting the B.A. major must complete the introductory courses, BIOL 2100 and BIOL 2200, before taking upper level courses. Students, who score a 5 on the AP Biology exam or at least a 6 on upper-level examinations in the International Baccalaureate program, will receive eight credits for BIOL 2100 and BIOL 2200.
Other requirements for the B.A. in Biology include the core courses BIOL 3000, 3010 and 3020 and 12 additional elective credits in biology at or above the 3000 level. The elective courses must include 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 3900, BIOL 4910/4920, or BIOL 4900. Finally, the Biology major elective credits must include one (3- or 4-credit) course from each of three disciplinary areas of biology: Cell/Molecular Biology, Integrative Biology, Evolution/Ecology; updated lists of biology courses within each of these disciplinary areas will be maintained on the Biology Department Undergraduate B.A. Major Program website.
A minimum of 16 of the required 22 major credits of upper-level Biology courses must come from courses offered by the Biology Department at the University of Virginia. So, no more than 6 credits from outside the Biology Department may contribute toward the Biology major. Courses from outside the Biology Department can include selections from a list of approved biology-related courses offered by the Department of Environmental Sciences, or students who complete both CHEM 4410 and 4420 may apply 3 credits towards the Biology major. Finally, transfer credits for courses taken at another institution after matriculation at the University of Virginia may be considered for outside elective credit toward the biology major; however, required core (BIOL 3000, 3010, and 3020) and lab courses must be taken at the University of Virginia (transfer students exempted).
Related courses that are required for the B.A. in Biology include two semesters of introductory chemistry with labs. Completion of CHEM 1410/1411 and CHEM1420/1421, CHEM1610/1611 and CHEM1620/1621, 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. Additionally students must take biostatistics (STAT 2020), as well as one course in calculus (MATH 1210, 1220, 1310 or 1320).
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. Biology B.A. majors who receive a failing grade in any one of the required core courses (BIOL 3000, 3010, 3020) will be “undeclared” from the Biology major; they may subsequently re-declare after consulting with a major advisor to devise a plan for successful completion of the requirement. Biology B.A. majors who receive two failing grades in the required core courses will be “undeclared” from the Biology major; they are subsequently ineligible to re-declare a Biology major.
Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Biology
Students selecting the B.S. major must complete the introductory courses, BIOL 2100 and BIOL 2200, before taking upper level courses. Students, who score a 5 on the AP Biology exam or at least a 6 on upper-level examinations in the International Baccalaureate program, will receive eight credits for BIOL 2100 and BIOL 2200.
Other requirements for the B.S. in Biology include the core courses BIOL 3000, 3010, 3020 and 3030, 3040 and 3050, plus 9 additional elective credits in biology at the 4000 level and at least six credits of laboratory work. The required laboratory course may be satisfied by any combination 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 (4 credits) 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.S. in Biology, including BIOL 3900, BIOL 4910/4920, or BIOL 4900.
Related courses that are required for the B.S. in Biology include two semesters of introductory chemistry with labs (CHEM 1410/1411 and CHEM1420/1421, CHEM1610/1611 and CHEM1620/1621, or CHEM 1810/1811 and CHEM 1820/1821), two semesters of organic chemistry. Additionally students must take biostatistics (STAT 2020), as well as one course in calculus (MATH 1210, 1220, 1310 or 1320) (CHEM 2410, 2420 or the equivalent), and one semester of introductory physics (PHYS 2010 or its equivalent).It is recommended that students interested in a career in the biological sciences also take PHYS 2020, as well as labs in organic chemistry and physics.
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:
- Biological diversity: a course focused on a particular group of organisms.
- Environmental diversity: a course focused on a particular habitat.
- Techniques in conservation: a course focused on policy, statistics modeling, field methods or geo-spatial analysis.
- 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 also 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 34 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:
- with no distinction
- with distinction
- with high distinction
- 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. 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 and 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.
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 2100 and BIOL 2200, before taking upper level courses. Students who score a 5 on the AP Biology exam, or at least a 6 on upper-level examinations in the International Baccalaureate program, will receive eight credit hours for BIOL 2100 and BIOL 2200.
All 3000 level classes require BIOL 2100 and/or 2200. 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 3000-level course 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.
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