Biological Sciences

The biological sciences encompass the study of living organisms and life processes at all levels: ecosystems, populations, individual organisms, tissues, cells, subcellular structures, and molecules. The Department of Biological Sciences offers courses that address all of these levels and programs of study for undergraduates and for graduate students seeking the Ph.D.

For undergraduates, the department offers three majors and a minor. All three majors have honors tracks. The Biological Sciences (BioSci) major is designed for the student seeking a broad base in the biological sciences; it is a highly flexible program that allows a certain amount of specialization in upper-level courses. The Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) major is designed for students with an interest in developing an in-depth understanding of how living systems function at the molecular and cellular levels, with upper-level course options ranging in content from biophysics and biochemistry to developmental biology, and to molecular aspects of evolution. The Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) major is designed for students with an interest in the areas of biology that span genomics, ecology, evolutionary biology, comparative genomics, organismal biology, and conservation biology. The department also offers a minor in biological sciences for students majoring in other disciplines. Interested students should consult the director of undergraduate studies.

The department offers undergraduates opportunities for engaging in faculty-led research projects for course credit. Students may receive an introduction to the workings of a scientific laboratory through an internship, or a more intensive, hands-on experience in directed or independent laboratory research. Students on the honors track of any of the three majors carry out a major honors research project and write an honors thesis. More information about the majors and minor offered by the department, the honors track of each major, and research opportunities open to undergraduates is available at our website: as.vanderbilt.edu/biosci.

Students may declare only one of the majors offered by the Department of Biological Sciences; double or triple majors within the department are not permitted. It is strongly recommended that all students take one year of calculus or calculus/statistics, and one year of physics. Students are encouraged to work with their major advisers to choose upper-level courses appropriate to their chosen majors.

• All required parts of the Common Application or Coalition, powered by Scoir, including the personal essay and short answer
• $50 nonrefundable application fee, or fee waiver for qualified students
• Official high school transcript
• Counselor letter of recommendation
• Two academic teacher letters of recommendation
• Optional for students applying for fall 2024 entry: SAT or ACT scores (SAT code: 1871 / ACT code: 4036)

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