Biology, B.A.

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Universal Curriculum Requirements

To be awarded a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, students are required to complete universal curriculum requirements in addition to the program requirements provided below. The school universal curriculum requirements can be found on the school Degree Programs page .

Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Biology

Prerequisites for Declaring the Major

Before taking upper level courses, students selecting the B.A. major must complete the following introductory courses:

BIOL 2100 - Introduction to Biology with Laboratory: Cell Biology & Genetics Credits: 4
BIOL 2200 - Introduction to Biology w/Laboratory: Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Credits: 4
NOTE: Students, who score a 5 on the AP Biology exam or at least a 6 on the upper-level examinations in the International Baccalaureate program, will receive eight credits for BIOL 2100 and BIOL 2200.

Core Requirements

The core requirements for the B.A. in Biology include:

BIOL 3000 - Cell Biology Credits: 3
BIOL 3010 - Genetics and Molecular Biology Credits: 3
BIOL 3020 - Evolution and Ecology Credits: 3
Students must complete 15 additional elective credits in biology at or above the 3000 level. The elective courses must include the following:
Three 3000-level or higher courses of at least 3.0 credit hours each. One course must be selected from the following list:
BIOL 3030 - Biochemistry Credits: 3
BIOL 3040 - Developmental and Regenerative Biology Credits: 3
BIOL 3050 - Introduction to Neurobiology Credits: 3
BIOL 3090 - Our World of Infectious Disease Credits: 3
BIOL 3180 - Introduction to Plants and Society Credits: 3
BIOL 3240 - Introduction to Immunology Credits: 3
BIOL 3250 - Introduction to Animal Behavior Credits: 3
BIOL 3270 - General Microbiology with Laboratory Credits: 4
BIOL 3450 - Biodiversity and Conservation Credits: 3
The second and third courses taken to fulfill this requirement may be selected from the above list or can be other 3000-level or higher courses (3.0 or more credit hours), except for the Core Courses (BIOL 3000, BIOL 3010, BIOL 3020) and independent research or study courses.
- One upper-level laboratory course of at least 3.0 credit hours. The required laboratory course may be satisfied by any of the following options:
  1. A three or four credit Biology Department laboratory course
  2. Any 3000 level or higher course taught at Mountain Lake Biological Station
  3. 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.
Related foundational courses that are required for the Bachelor of Arts in Biology include the following:
CHEM 1410 - Introductory College Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHEM 1411 - Introductory College Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1
CHEM 1420 - Introductory College Chemistry II Credits: 3
CHEM 1421 - Introductory College Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1
NOTE: Students with AP credit for CHEM 1410 and CHEM 1420 must enroll in the laboratory courses, unless granted credit for CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1421. CHEM 1810/1811 with CHEM1420 is an equivalent course of study.
Each of the Following:
PHYS 2010 - Principles of Physics 1 for Pre-Health Students Credits: 3
PHYS 2030 - Principles of Physics 1 Workshop Credits: 1
PHYS 2020 - Principles of Physics 2 for Pre-Health Students Credits: 3
PHYS 2040 - Principles of Physics 2 Workshop Credits: 1
NOTE: Equivalent courses in physics may be calculus-based. Credit for specific AP exams in Physics may fulfill, in part or whole, the lecture component of this requirement.
One semester of introductory statistics:
STAT 2020 - Statistics for Biologists Credits: 4 (preferred)
OR
STAT 2120 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis Credits: 4
In addition, students must take one of the following:
MATH 1190 - A Survey of Calculus I with Algebra Credits: 4
MATH 1210 - A survey of Calculus I Credits: 3
MATH 1310 - Calculus I Credits: 4
STAT 1601 - Introduction to Data Science with R Credits: 3
STAT 1602 - Introduction to Data Science with Python Credits: 3
STAT 3220 - Introduction to Regression Analysis Credits: 3

Additional Requirements

A minimum of 18 of the required 24 major credits of upper-level Biology courses must be courses offered by the Biology Department at the University of Virginia. No more than 6 credits from outside the Biology Department may contribute toward the Biology major. Courses from outside teh Biology Department can include the following:

Chemistry courses, specifically:
CHEM 4410 - Biological Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHEM 4420 - Biological Chemistry II Credits: 3
*Students who complete CHEM 4410 may apply 3 credits towards the Biology BA major. Students who complete both CHEM 4410 and 4420 may apply 6 credits towards the Biology BA major. Credit will not be accepted for both CHEM 4410/4420 and BIOL 3030.
Environmental Science courses, specifically:
EVSC 3060 - Biomechanics of Organisms Credits: 3
EVSC 3200 - Fundamentals of Ecology Credits: 3
EVSC 3201 - Fundamentals of Ecology Laboratory Credits: 1
EVSC 3660 - Tropical Field Ecology Credits: 4
EVSC 3665 - Tropical Ecology and Conservation in Belize Credits: 3
EVSC 4110 - Coastal and Estuarine Ecology Credits: 3
EVSC 4122 - Coastal Ecology Seminar Credits: 1
EVSC 4140 - Global Coastal Change Credits: 3
EVSC 4150 - Terrestrial Plant Ecology Credits: 3
EVSC 4200 - The Ecology of Coastal Wetlands Credits: 3
EVSC 4210 - Methods in Aquatic Ecology Credits: 3
EVSC 4230 - Marine Environments and Organisms Credits: 3
EVSC 4240 - Restoration Ecology Credits: 3
EVSC 4250 - Ecosystem Ecology Credits: 3
EVSC 4260 - Ecology of Grasslands and Tundra Credits: 3
EVSC 4270 - Soil Science Credits: 4
EVSC 4290 - Limnology: Inland Water Ecosystems Credits: 3
EVSC 4991 - The Theory and Practice of Biodiversity Conservation Credits: 2
EVEC 5220 Terrestrial Ecology
EVEC 5230 Microbial Ecology
EVEC 5231 Microbial Ecology Laboratory
EVEC 5250 Ecological Issues in Global Change

Transfer Information

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). After matriculation, transfer students must also complete required core courses and lab courses at the University of Virginia, unless credit was given for these courses at time of matriculation.

Grade Standards

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) must meet 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.

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), an upper level course (BIOL 4130) and a 3-credit seminar in conservation (EVSC 4991). 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 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 4910/4920/4930). 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.

Additional Information

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.

For more information, contact the Department of Biology, 326 Gilmer Hall, P.O. Box 400328, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4328; (434) 982-5474; www.virginia.edu/biology.