Biology

Return to: Graduate School of Arts & Sciences: Degree Programs

229 Gilmer Hall
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400328
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4328
434-982-5474
www.bio.virginia.edu

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts

Of the 30 credits required for the degree, students are expected to complete a minimum of 24 credits of graded coursework, including three introductory courses in research methods and ethics (BIOL 8240 , BIOL 8250 and BIMS 7100 ), four lecture or laboratory courses, and one colloquium or journal club. For the concentration in Environmental and Biological Conservation, students are expected to complete the four lecture or laboratory courses noted above in the fields ecology, evolution and conservation.

Students are expected to write and defend a thesis.

Master of Science

Of the 30 credits required for the degree, students are expected to complete a minimum of 24 credits of graded coursework, including three introductory courses in research methods and ethics (BIOL 8240 , BIOL 8250 and BIMS 7100 ), four lecture or laboratory courses, two courses in topical research and one colloquium or journal club. Students completing degree requirements at the Mountain Lake Biological Station are exempt from the introductory courses in research methods and ethics and are eligible to complete graduate coursework during the summer term.

Students are expected to write and defend a thesis based primarily on independent laboratory research.

Doctor of Philosophy

Of the 72 credits required for the degree, students are expected to complete a minimum of 24 credits of graded coursework, including three introductory courses in research methods and ethics (BIOL 8240 , BIOL 8250 and BIMS 7100 ), and two laboratory rotation courses during the first year; 18 credits of graded coursework; and one colloquium or journal club.

By the conclusion of the first year, students are expected to identify a primary research advisor.

By the conclusion of the second year, students are expected to pass qualifying examinations that include the defense of a research proposal for the dissertation.

Students are expected to complete all requirements stated above by the conclusion of their fourth semester.

Students are expected to serve as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for a minimum of one term and complete formal training in pedagogy.

Students are expected to write and defend a dissertation.

Courses

Please follow this link to a listing of graduate course offerings for this program: Graduate Courses Arts & Sciences . Some programs limit the number of credits offered outside the department or school that a student may allocate toward degree requirements. All course enrollment is subject to approval each term by the Director of Graduate Studies.