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Dec 05, 2025
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2025-2026 University Academic Catalog
Biology, B.S. (R, L)
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 Return to: Academic Majors, Minors, Certificates, and Academic Designations
The Biology Major provides students with a strong, integrative foundation in biology. It is appropriate for all interests in biology, from human health to ecology, including preparation for graduate and professional schools and those planning to seek teacher licensure. All majors complete a core set of foundational biology courses, totaling 18 credits, and select from among 3 concentrations (Integrative Biology, Biomedical and Health Sciences, or Ecology and Conservation Biology) to tailor their degree to their interests and career goals.
All concentrations prepare students for post-graduate study in a range of fields, as well as building critical thinking skills, a familiarity with analytical techniques, and science communication experience. Integrative biology provides flexibility for students to customize their courses toward a range of science and science-adjacent careers and emphasizes big-picture thinking and synthesis of concepts. Biomedical and Health Sciences gives students the foundational skills and concepts necessary for careers in a wide range of medical and health career fields. Ecology and Conservation Biology is suited for students interested in careers in wildlife management, plant conservation, environmental monitoring, and similar fields.
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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)
Foundational Math (3 credits)
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 (4 credits)
All Biology majors are expected to complete CHEM 301 to fulfill their Bachelor of Science degree requirement. Required Core Biology Courses (18 credits)
Concentration Requirements
Students choose from among 3 concentration options: Integrative Biology, Ecology and Sustainability, or Biomedical and Health Sciences. See course requirements specific to each concentration below. Cell and Molecular Courses (3-4 credits)
Choose one course (3-4 credit hours) from the following list: Integrative Courses (3-4 credits)
Choose one course (3-4 credit hours) from the following list: Ecology Courses (3-4 credits)
Choose one course (3-4 credit hours) from the following list: Additional Elective Requirements (20-23 credits)
Complete 20-23 additional credit hours from any combination of 200+ level BIOL courses; up to 8 of these credit hours may come from a combination of the following approved non-BIOL courses: PHYS 111 or 221 , PHYS 112 or 222 , GEOS 250 , PSYC 378 , NUTR 300 , HLTH 215 , and RARE 410 . Ecology and Conservation Biology Concentration (32 credits)
At least 9 credit hours must come from L-designated REAL courses . Required Foundational Course (4 credits)
Animal-centric Courses (3-4 credits)
Choose one course (3-4 credit hours) from the following list: Plant-centric Courses (4 credits)
Choose one course (4 credits hours) from the following list: Ecosystem and Environment Courses (3-4 credits)
Choose one course (3-4 credit hours) from the following list: Additional Elective Requirements (6-12 credits)
Choose 6-12 elective credits from any combination of 200+ level courses with a BIOL prefix and/or the following approved non-biology electives: CRJU 382 , GEOS 241 , GEOS 250 , GEOS 335 , and CHEM 315 . Required Courses (26 credits)
Additional Elective Requirements (6 credits)
Complete 6 additional credits from any combination of the following courses: BIOL 334 , BIOL 392 , BIOL 405 , BIOL 412 , BIOL 433 , BIOL 450 , BIOL 472 , BIOL 474 , BIOL 478 , CHEM 302 , PSYC 121 , COMS 114 , HLTH 215 , PHYS 112 or PHYS 222 , RARE 410 , or any 200-400 level course with a PSYC prefix. Required Outside Courses (11-15 credits)
Additional Degree Requirements
Students are required give one scientific presenation in a course, or at a university-, regional-, or national-level event to graduate; single or group-authored presentations are suitable. 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 106 or equivalent transfer credit may substitute the transferred course for BIOL 111 . Transfer students with 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. |
Return to: Academic Majors, Minors, Certificates, and Academic Designations
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