Biology, B.S. (R, L) - Radford Site and Radford University Carilion Site

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The Biology Major provides students with a strong, integrative foundation in biology. It is appropriate for all interests in biology, from human health to environmental science, including preparation for graduate and professional schools and those planning to seek teacher licensure.

REAL Curriculum

This major fulfills the R and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students develop proficiency at using scientific and quantitative inquiry to address biological problems. Students reflect on how their experiences relate to their professional and career goals. Students need majors and/or minors to fulfill the E and A areas to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements.

REAL Foundational Requirements

Foundational Writing (3 credits)

ENGL 111 - Principles of College Composition (GE)

Foundational Math (3 credits)

MATH 100 - Quantitative Reasoning (GE)
MATH 121 - Math Content for Teachers I (GE)
MATH 125 - Precalculus I (GE) (Recommended for Biology majors due to required course prerequisites. Requirement may be fulfilled through placement testing.)

REAL Cornerstone Requirements

Writing Intensive (WI) Courses (6 credits)

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level.

General Education Requirements

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Biology major includes 8 general education credits.

Major Requirements (65-69 credits)

B.S. Requirements (8 credits)

All Biology majors are expected to complete CHEM 301 :CHEM 302 (8 hrs.) to fulfill their Bachelor of Science degree requirement.

Required Biology Courses (18 credits)

Biology Electives (28 credits)

An additional 28 credits of Biology (BIOL) elective coursework is required, chosen based on student interests and degree pathway. Biology electives must include at least six credits of L-designated Biology coursework. Up to 8 credits of non-BIOL electives from the list below may be applied towards the required 28 credits of Biology electives.

Required Outside Courses (11-15 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements

Minimum in-major GPA of 2.0 required to graduate. GPA is calculated using all BIOL courses, courses cross-listed with BIOL courses, approved non-biology courses used as biology electives, and any course used in the major by petition.

Open Credit Hours (51-55 credits)

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

Total Credits Needed for Degree 120

Additional Information

All freshman Biology majors must register for BIOL 160 in their first or second semester.

Transfer students, and any other students, who do not take BIOL 160 must take either an additional BIOL 460 or one additional Biology elective at the 300 or 400 level of equal or greater credit hours (excluding BIOL 334 , BIOL 491 , BIOL 492 and BIOL 495 ).

Biology majors must complete BIOL 111 , BIOL 112 , and BIOL 222 (or equivalent transfer courses) with grades of C or better before registering for any 300- or 400-level Biology electives.

Transfer students with credit for BIOL 105 or equivalent transfer credit may substitute the transferred course for BIOL 111 . Transfer students wwith credit for BIOL 102 from a Virginia Community College, or an equivalent course from another institution, may substitute that course for a Biology elective.

Students seeking teacher licensure can find details on additional requirements on the Secondary Education page.