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BIOLOGY AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Biology (B.S.)
Biology with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure (B.S. in Biology)
Minor in Biology
Minor in Physical Science

Biology (B.S.)

This major offers concentrations in Ecology, General Biology, and Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Study in the biological sciences responds to the increasing demand for scientific expertise in a variety of professional settings, including industry and law.

The program permits students to build on a common foundation of introductory courses in biology and chemistry. It provides preparation for advanced studies in biology and health-related professional fields, or for entry into a variety of areas within the biotechnology industries.

Minimum Grade Requirements: A minimum grade of C- is required in any course within the major courses (biology, chemistry, and physics) which serves as a prerequisite for a higher-numbered course. Courses in which the minimum grade is not achieved may not be repeated more than once without permission of the department chair.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year One

Fall

  • BIO 151 General Biology I §*
  • CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I §
  • EN 101 Composition I*
  • MA 142 Precalculus
  • SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

  • BIO 152 General Biology II §
  • CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II §
  • EN 102 Composition II*
  • MA 181 Calculus I § *

Year Two

Fall

  • BIO 260 Microbiology §
  • CHM 221 Organic Chemistry I §
  • BIO 300 Writing for Science §*
  • ECO/POL 100 Introduction to the Social Sciences*
  • Humanities elective*

Spring

  • BIO 262 Genetics §
  • CHM 222 Organic Chemistry II §
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences elective*
  • Elective*

All Biology majors then complete their studies with coursework in their chosen concentration during years three and four. Details about concentrations follow.

Ecology concentration

Year Three

Fall

  • PHYS 171 General Physics I §
  • BIO 311 Ecology §
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences elective*
  • Health elective*

Spring

  • PHYS 172 General Physics II §
  • BIO 352 Advanced Environmental Lab §
  • Biology concentration course §**
  • Humanities elective*
  • Elective*

Year Four

Fall

  • 2 Biology concentration courses §**
  • Humanities elective*
  • 2 electives

Spring

  • BIO 400 Internship §
  • BIO 410 Senior Seminar §
  • Biology concentration course §**
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences 300/400-level elective*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
**Biology concentration courses: choose 10 additional credits from the following—BIO 222 Animal Behavior, BIO 250 General Botany, BIO 312 Physiological Ecology, BIO 313 Vertebrate Zoology, and CHM 351 Environmental Chemistry. No student can count both BIO 222 and BIO 250 toward the 10 credits.

General Biology concentration

Year Three

Fall

  • PHYS 171 General Physics I §
  • BIO 311 Ecology or BIO 363 Cellular Biology §
  • BIO 368 Advanced Lab Research Methods or BIO 352 Integrated Advanced Environmental Lab §
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences elective*

Spring

  • PHYS 172 General Physics II §
  • Biology concentration course §**
  • Humanities elective*
  • Health elective*
  • Elective*

Year Four

Fall

  • 2 Biology concentration courses §**
  • Humanities elective*
  • BIO 400 Internship §

Spring

  • BIO 410 Senior Seminar §
  • 2 Biology concentration courses §**
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences 300/400-level elective*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
**Biology concentration courses: choose 14 credits from the following two areas, with at least 7 credits from each area—Area 1: BIO 224 Endocrinology, BIO 272 Parasitology, BIO 361 Biochemistry, BIO 363 Cellular Biology, BIO 364 Immunology, BIO 366 Virology, BIO 369 Advanced Molecular Biology. No student can count both BIO 224 and BIO 272 toward the 14 credits. AREA 2: BIO 222 Animal Behavior, BIO 250 General Botany, BIO 311 Ecology, BIO 312 Physiological Ecology, BIO 313 Vertebrate Zoology, CHM 351 Environmental Chemistry. No student can count both BIO 222 and BIO 250 toward the 14 credits.

Molecular and Cellular Biology concentration

Year Three

Fall

  • PHYS 171 General Physics I §
  • BIO 363 Cellular Biology §
  • BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods §
  • Humanities elective*
  • Health elective*

Spring

  • PHYS 172 General Physics II §
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences elective*
  • Biology concentration course §**

Year Four

Fall

  • 2 Biology concentration courses §**
  • Humanities elective*
  • 2 electives*

Spring

  • BIO 400 Internship §
  • BIO 410 Senior Seminar §
  • Biology concentration course §**
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences 300/400-level elective*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
**Biology concentration courses: BIO 224 Endocrinology, BIO 272 Parasitology, BIO 361 Biochemistry, BIO 364 Immunology, BIO 366 Animal Virology, or BIO 369 Advanced Molecular Biology.

Biology with Secondary-level Teaching Licensure (B.S. in Biology)

This program of studies allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in Biology and also be licensed to teach secondary Biology at the end of four years. Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure, including field experiences and student teaching.

Admission Requirements: Students in this program must seek admission to the teacher licensure program and apply for student teaching. See Education section for admission requirements and procedures.

Degree Planning: Students in this program must take courses specified in the degree plan to ensure fulfillment of state licensure requirements. See an Education advisor in the School of Education and Human Services for further information.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year One

Fall

  • BIO 151 General Biology I §*
  • CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I §
  • EN 101 Composition I*
  • MA 142 Precalculus
  • SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

  • BIO 152 General Biology II §
  • CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II §
  • EN 102 Composition II*
  • MA 181 Calculus I*

Year Two

Fall

  • BIO 260 Microbiology §
  • CHM 221 Organic
  • Chemistry I §
  • BIO 300 Writing for Science §*
  • Humanities elective*
  • ECO/POL 100 Introduction to the Social Sciences*

Spring

  • BIO 262 Genetics for Majors §
  • CHM 222 Organic
  • Chemistry II §
  • ED 245S Educational Foundations for Secondary Teachers
  • PSY 312 Adolescent Psychology*
  • Humanities elective*

Year Three

Fall

  • PHYS 171 General Physics I §
  • BIO 363 Cellular Biology §
  • ED 327S Curriculum Design: Secondary Education
  • 2 Humanities electives*

Spring

  • PHYS 172 General
  • Physics II §
  • ED 337 Reading in the Content Areas
  • Biology elective
  • Humanities elective*
  • PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities*

Year Four

Fall

  • BIO 110 Introduction to Environmental Science
  • BIO 385 Approaches to Teaching Secondary Biology
  • Biology elective
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences elective*

Spring

  • ED 360S Student Teaching: Secondary level §
  • BIO 410 Seminar §
  • Biology elective
  • Health elective*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.

Minor in Biology

Minor Requirements

Minor in Physical Science

Minor Requirements