Biology - 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 Requirement

Students must complete any two of the BIOL core lecture courses. Students who complete all three core lecture courses may apply the third towards the Biology upper-level course requirement. Core courses must be completed at the University of Virginia. 

Biology Upper-Level Course Requirements

Biology minors are required to complete a total of 15 credit hours of upper-level (3000 or above) required and elective courses. Two BIOL core lecture courses are included in these minimum 15 hours. The remaining courses may consist of any combination of BIOL lecture and laboratory courses.

• Two semesters (4 credits) of independent research (BIOL 4910 or BIOL 4920) conducted in one laboratory may be included in the credit hours for the minor. Independent research courses BIOL 3910 and BIOL 3920 cannot be applied to the minor.
• Laboratory courses must be taken at the University of Virginia, inclusive of BIOL field courses at Mountain Lake Biological Station.
• Only EVSC courses that are cross-listed with Biology (e.g. BIOL/EVSC 4100) may be counted toward minor credit.
• BIOL 3420, CHEM 4410, CHEM 4420, and CHEM 4440 may not be used to fulfill Biology minor credits.
• These courses include two core courses and enough additional 3000 level or higher elective BIOL courses to complete a total of 15 credit hours. Up to 4 credit hours of BIOL transfer credit at the 3000-level or above may be included to complete a total of 15 credit hours.

Grading Standards

The overall grade point average presented for the minor must be at least 2.000.

Additional Information

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.