Biology

Students selecting the B.A. major must complete the introductory courses, BIOL 2100 and BIOL 2200, before taking upper level courses. Students, who score a 5 on the AP Biology exam or at least a 6 on upper-level examinations in the International Baccalaureate program, will receive eight credits for BIOL 2100 and BIOL 2200.

Other requirements for the B.A. in Biology include the core courses BIOL 3000, 3010 and 3020 and 12 additional elective credits in biology at or above the 3000 level. The elective courses must include at least three credits of laboratory work. The required laboratory course may be satisfied by any of the following options; i) a three-or four-credit departmental laboratory course; ii) any 3000 level or higher course taught at Mountain Lake Biological Station; iii) two semesters of independent research (BIOL 4910 or 4920) completed in the same laboratory. (Summer research applies if the student has enrolled in BIOL 4910/4920.) No more than 6 credit hours of independent study and research courses may be applied towards the B.A. in Biology, including BIOL 3900, BIOL 4910/4920, or BIOL 4900. Finally, the Biology major elective credits must include one (3- or 4-credit) course from each of three disciplinary areas of biology:  Cell/Molecular Biology, Integrative Biology, Evolution/Ecology; updated lists of biology courses within each of these disciplinary areas will be maintained on the Biology Department Undergraduate B.A. Major Program website.

A minimum of 16 of the required 22 major credits of upper-level Biology courses must come from courses offered by the Biology Department at the University of Virginia.  So, no more than 6 credits from outside the Biology Department may contribute toward the Biology major. Courses from outside the Biology Department can include selections from a list of approved biology-related courses offered by the Department of Environmental Sciences. Students who complete CHEM 4410 may apply 3 credits towards the Biology BA major. Students who complete both CHEM 4410 and 4420 may apply 6 credits towards the Biology BA major. Completion of CHEM 4410 also satisfies the Area 1 (Cell/Molecular Biology) disciplinary requirement. Finally, transfer credits for courses taken at another institution after matriculation at the University of Virginia may be considered for outside elective credit toward the biology major; however, required core (BIOL 3000, 3010, and 3020) and lab courses must be taken at the University of Virginia (transfer students exempted).

Typically, the most important factor in the admission evaluation process is demonstrated academic achievement in a challenging secondary school program. Outstanding grades, good performance in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate or honors courses, and superior standardized test scores are valued in the process. The admission committee looks for applicants who have completed the most rigorous academic courses available in their secondary schools and recommends that prospective students should exceed minimum high school graduation requirements. We require an official transcript. The secondary program should include no fewer than 16 academic courses and must include the following courses:

• English 4 units
• Mathematics 4 units
• Foreign Language 2 units
• Science (from among biology, chemistry, and physics) 2 units (*)
• Social Studies 1 unit

(*) If applying to the School of Engineering and Applied Science, three units, including chemistry and physics, are strongly recommended. Also, foreign language is recommended, but not required for admission to the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Because full-time students at the University take five academic courses each term, the committee recommends that students take no fewer than four, and preferably five, academic courses (English, math, social science, science, and foreign language) each year in grades nine through twelve. The committee examines the extracurricular activities, special talents and interests, background, and the applicant’s ability to write effectively. Two letters of recommendation, from the secondary school counselor and one academic teacher of the student’s choice, are required.

University of Virginia uses the Common Application. All applications must be submitted by the application deadline with a non-refundable application fee of $70. Candidates seeking an application fee waiver can receive one by answering the related questions on the Common Application.

First-year students can apply to University of Virginia through Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision. Early Decision is a binding program with an October 15th deadline and a mid-December notification. Students who choose the Early Decision process must withdraw all other applications if admitted and submit their enrollment deposit by January 1st. Applying Early Action to UVA is a non-binding, nonrestrictive admission plan. Students who apply Early Action may also apply to other institutions. Early Decision and Early Action students be admitted, denied admission, or deferred until the Regular Decision process. The Regular Decision deadline is January 1st and the admission committee will notify applicants of their decision by April 1. During Regular Decision, the admission committee may offer admission, deny admission or offer a spot on the waiting list. Those students who are admitted under Early Action or Regular Decision will have until May 1 to make their deposit and reserve a seat in the first-year class.

The committee requires SAT I or ACT scores from first-year applicants. Students in countries that do not offer these tests may request a waiver by emailing [email protected]. Results of these tests should be self-reported on the Common Application. If the student is admitted and chooses to enroll, official scores reports must be submitted to verify the self-reported scores. The last recommended test dates are one month prior to the chosen application deadline. Scores received after the deadline may be uploaded through the student portal. Applicants should consult the testing agency websites for the appropriate registration deadlines, which generally precede the test dates by several weeks.

Decisions are posted in the student’s portal. Those applicants who are offered admission are mailed a paper copy of the admission letter. Upon accepted their offer of admission, students will pay a $400 tuition deposit to guarantee space in the entering class. This deposit is not refundable.