Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Special requirements

The curriculum for a Bachelor of Science in Biology requires a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 40 of those credits in biology or other approved courses. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for biology courses is required. At least five laboratory experiences must be taken from all biology courses, including BIOZ 151 and BIOZ 152; up to two laboratory experiences can be selected from BIOZ 395, BIOL 451, BIOL 453,  BIOL 492 or BIOL 495. Topics courses (BIOL 391, BIOZ 391, BIOZ 399, BIOL 491 and BIOZ 491) may count as laboratory experiences only when approved in advance by the Department of Biology undergraduate academic committee. Registration in BIOZ 395, BIOL 492, BIOZ 493 or BIOL 495 must be for a minimum of two credit hours to count as one of the five required laboratory experiences. A maximum total of six credits for all undergraduate research and internships in biology (BIOZ 395, BIOZ 493, BIOL 395, BIOL 451, BIOL 453, BIOL 492, BIOL 493 and BIOL 495) may be applied to the 40 credits of Biology required for the major. Additional credits from these courses may be applied to upper level and open elective credits toward the degree. A maximum of four combined credits from BIOL 496 and BIOL 499 may be applied to degree requirements. While BIOL 496 may be repeated for credit toward degree requirements when serving as a preceptorship for different courses, it may not be repeated with the same course for credit toward the degree. No more than five credits of the 100-level (or introductory level) biology courses can be applied to the major.

A minimum grade of C in the following courses is required for enrollment in all courses for which they are prerequisites and to successfully complete the B.S. in Biology.

Degree requirements for Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Biology electives

Course	Title	Hours
BIOL 291	Topics in Biology	1-4
BIOL 303	Microbiology	3
BIOL 304	Biology Skills 1	3
BIOL 307	Aquatic Ecology	3
BIOL 308	Vertebrate Histology 1	4
BIOL 309	Entomology 1	4
BIOL 312	Invertebrate Zoology	3
BIOL 313	Vertebrate Natural History	3
BIOL 314	Animal Reproduction	3
BIOL 320	Biology of the Seed Plant 1	4
BIOL 321	Plant Development	3
BIOL 322	Plants, People and Culture	3
BIOL 324	Medicinal Botany	3
BIOL 325	Fungal Biology 1	3
BIOL 330	Community Science: ____ 1	3
BIOL 333	Evolution of the Angiosperms	3
BIOL 335	Global Change Biology	3
BIOL 340	Development and Stem Cells	3
BIOL 341/ANTH 301	Human Evolution 1	4
BIOL 391	Topics in Biology (as approved)	1-4
BIOL 392	Introduction to Research	2
BIOL 395	Directed Study	1-2
BIOL 401	Applied and Environmental Microbiology	3
BIOL 402	Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 1	5
BIOL/ANTH 403	Primatology 1	4
BIOL 411	Physiology	3
BIOL 413	Parasitology	3
BIOL 415	Mangrove Avian Field Ecology 1	4
BIOL 416	Ornithology	3
BIOL 417	Mammalogy 1	4
BIOL 420	Yeast and Fermentation 1	3
BIOL 422	Forest Ecology 1	4
BIOL 423	Plant Physiology	3
BIOL 425 Play course video for Field Botany	Field Botany 1	3
BIOL 430	Invasion Biology	3
BIOL 431	Introduction to Marine Biology	3
BIOL 435	Herpetology	3
BIOL/FRSC 438	Forensic Molecular Biology	3
BIOL 440	Developmental Biology	3
BIOL 445	Neurobiology and Behavior 1	4
BIOL 448	Neuroscience	3
BIOL 449	Stem Cells in Disease and Therapy	3
BIOL 450	Biology of Cancer I	3
BIOL 451	Biology of Cancer II 1	4
BIOL 452	Biology of Drugs	3
BIOL 453	Cancer Biology Thesis 1	4
BIOL 454	Biology of Aging and Diseases	3
BIOL 455	Immunology	3
BIOL 456	Virology	3
BIOL 459	Infectious Disease Ecology	3
BIOL 460	Human Evolutionary Genetics	3
BIOL 480	Animal-Plant Interactions	3
BIOL 489	Communicating Research	1
BIOL 490	Presenting Research	1
BIOL 491	Topics in Biology	1-4
BIOL 492	Independent Study	1-4
BIOL 493	Biology Internship	1-3
BIOL 495	Research and Thesis	1-4
BIOL 496	Biology Preceptorship: ____	2
BIOL 497	Ecological Service Learning	1
BIOL 498	Insects and Plants Service-learning	2
BIOL 499	Biology Lead Preceptorship	2
BIOL 502	Microbial Biotechnology	3
BIOL 503	Fish Biology 1	4
BIOL 507	Aquatic Microbiology	4
BIOL 508	Barrier Island Ecology	3
BIOL 509	Microbial Ecology	3
BIOL 510	Conservation Biology	3
BIOL 514	Stream Ecology	4
BIOL/HGEN 516	Population Genetics	3
BIOL 518	Plant Ecology	4
BIOL 519	Forest Ecology 1	4
BIOL 520	Population Ecology	3
BIOL 521	Community Ecology	3
BIOL 522	Evolution and Speciation	3
BIOL 524	Endocrinology	3
BIOL 530/HGEN 501	Introduction to Human Genetics	3
BIOL 535	Wetlands Ecology 1	4
BIOL/BNFO 540	Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics	3
BIOL 541	Laboratory in Molecular Genetics 1	2
BIOL 545/LFSC 510	Biological Complexity	3
BIOL 548/LFSC 520	Bioinformatic Technologies	2
BIOL 550	Ecological Genetics	3
BIOL 560	Conservation Medicine	3
BIOL 565	Advances in Cell Signaling	3
BIOL 580	Eukaryotic Biotechnology	3
BIOL 591	Special Topics in Biology	1-4
BIOZ 303	Microbiology Laboratory	2
BIOZ 307	Aquatic Ecology Laboratory	1
BIOZ 310	Laboratory in Genetics	2
BIOZ 312	Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory	1
BIOZ 313	Vertebrate Natural History Laboratory	1
BIOZ 317	Ecology Laboratory	2
BIOZ 321	Plant Development Laboratory	2
BIOZ 324	Medicinal Botany Laboratory	1
BIOZ 367	Explorations in Cellular Organization	3
BIOZ 391	Topics in Biology Laboratory (as approved)	1-4
BIOZ 395	Directed Study	1-2
BIOZ 399	Experiential and Applied Topics: ____	0-4
BIOZ 401	Applied and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory	2
BIOZ 405	Gross Anatomy Laboratory	2
BIOZ 416	Ornithology Laboratory	2
BIOZ 418	Integrative Physiology Laboratory	3
BIOZ/FRSZ 438	Forensic Molecular Biology Laboratory	2
BIOZ 491	Topics in Biology Laboratory	1-4
BIOZ 493	Biology Internship Laboratory	0-4
BNFO 301/BIOL 351	Introduction to Bioinformatics	3
CHEM 403	Biochemistry I	3
ENVS 330	Environmental Pollution	3
LFSC 301	Integrative Life Sciences Research	3
MATH/BNFO 380	Introduction to Mathematical Biology	4

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Freshman year
Fall semester		Hours
BIOL 151	Introduction to Biological Sciences I	3
BIOZ 151	Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory I	1
CHEM 101 & CHEZ 101	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I (both satisfy general education AOI for scientific and logical reasoning)	4
MATH 151	Precalculus Mathematics (satisfies general education quantitative foundations)	4
UNIV 101	Introduction to the University	1
UNIV 111 Play course video for Focused Inquiry I	Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)	3
	Term Hours:	16
Spring semester
BIOL 152 & BIOZ 152	Introduction to Biological Sciences II and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory II	4
BIOL 200	Quantitative Biology	3
CHEM 102 & CHEZ 102	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II	4
HUMS 202	Choices in a Consumer Society	1
UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II	Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)	3
	Term Hours:	15
Sophomore year
Fall semester
BIOL 300	Cellular and Molecular Biology	3
CHEM 301 & CHEZ 301	Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I	5
STAT 210	Basic Practice of Statistics	3
UNIV 200	Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)	3
Experiential fine arts		1-3
	Term Hours:	15-17
Spring semester
BIOL 310 or BIOL 317 or BIOL 318	Genetics or Ecology or Evolution	3
CHEM 302 & CHEZ 302	Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II	5
MATH 200 or STAT 314	Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Applications of Statistics	4
General education course		3
	Term Hours:	15
Junior year
Fall semester
PHYS 201 or PHYS 207	General Physics I (either satisfies general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) or University Physics I	4-5
Select the two courses not previously taken from BIOL 310, BIOL 317 and BIOL 318.		6
Foreign language 101		3
General education course		3
	Term Hours:	16-17
Spring semester
PHYS 202 or PHYS 208	General Physics II or University Physics II	4-5
Biology elective		3
Biology laboratory elective		1-2
Foreign language 102		3
General education course		3
	Term Hours:	14-16
Senior year
Fall semester
Biology electives		5-6
Biology laboratory elective		1-2
Open electives		9
	Term Hours:	15-17
Spring semester
Select one of the following (capstone):		0-3
BIOL 475 Biology Capstone Seminar: ____		-
BIOL 477 Biology Capstone Experience (to denote department approved capstone course or experience)		-
BIOZ 476 Molecular Capstone Laboratory		-
Biology electives		6
Biology laboratory elective		1-2
Open electives		7
	Term Hours:	14-18
	Total Hours:	120-131

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Accelerated B.S. and M.S.

The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows academically talented students to earn both the B.S. and M.S. in Biology in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 138 credits rather than the 150 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

Students holding these degrees will be more broadly trained and will have significantly more experience and exposure to specific disciplines within biology. They will also receive a considerable amount of training in professional communication.  Thus, they will be more competitive for private sector positions, professional programs and graduate studies at the doctoral level. In addition, the financial cost of the accelerated program provides a significant cost savings when compared to earning the B.S. followed by the M.S. in Biology.

Entrance to the accelerated program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.

Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours including the biology core courses of BIOL 152, BIOL 200, BIOL 300, BIOL 310, BIOL 317 and BIOL 318; BIOZ 151 and BIOZ 152; CHEM 101, CHEM 102, CHEM 301 and CHEM 302;  CHEZ 101, CHEZ 102, CHEZ 301 and CHEZ 302; an overall GPA of 3.0; and a biology major GPA of 3.0.

Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students in an accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate biology adviser and the forensic science graduate program director.

Admission to the graduate program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin.

Degree requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Biology degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits will satisfy biology major electives for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

The graduate biology courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are:

Recommended course sequence/plan of study

What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.

Accelerated B.S. and M.S.

The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows academically talented students to earn both the B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology in a minimum of five and a half years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 150 credits rather than the 162 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

Students holding these degrees will have foundational work in biology, followed by advanced training in forensic science through a combination of laboratory and classroom work and will gain important professional development skills. The goal of the accelerated program is to significantly enhance the student’s qualifications to pursue a career in the forensic science field. Alternatively, students who distinguish themselves may be able to pursue advanced study in doctoral or professional programs on an accelerated timetable.

Entrance to the accelerated program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.

Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 60 undergraduate credit hours including CHEM 301, CHEZ 301, CHEM 302, CHEZ 302, CHEM 403 and BIOL 310; an overall GPA of 3.3; and a GPA of 3.0 in biology course work. Two reference letters (at least one from a biology or forensic science faculty member) must accompany the Accelerated Program Declaration Form.

Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students in an accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate biology adviser and the forensic science graduate program director.

Admission to the graduate program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin.

Degree requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Biology degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits satisfy required major electives for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

The graduate forensic science courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are:

Recommended course sequence/plan of study

What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.

Accelerated B.S. and M.S.

The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Health and Movement Science with a concentration in exercise science in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 144 credits rather than the 156 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

Students holding these degrees will have completed advanced course work focused on biology and the application of health and movement science principles to exercise science, preparing graduates for a wide range of career options that promote physical well-being in healthy children and adults, athletes, and clinical populations. These career opportunities exist in health and fitness centers, sports programs, clinical settings, academic institutions, rehabilitation facilities and public health agencies, where graduates can pursue employment in community, corporate and university exercise programs, cardiac rehabilitation, or advanced study and research in the field of exercise physiology.

Entrance to the accelerated program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.

Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 84 undergraduate credit hours including an overall minimum GPA of 3.0; and a GPA of 3.0 in ancillary requirements and biology core course work. Students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements may submit GRE scores to receive further consideration. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with the graduate program director of the M.S. program before they have completed 84 credits. Successful applicants would enter the program in the fall semester of their senior year.

Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate adviser for the biology program and the faculty adviser to the graduate program.

Admission to the graduate program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. Three reference letters (at least two from biology faculty members) are required.

Degree requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Biology degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits will substitute for required major electives for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

The graduate health and movement science courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are listed below. Students will take four courses (12 credits) from the list.

Recommended course sequence/plan of study

What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.

Accelerated B.S. and M.S.

The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows academically talented students to earn both the B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences with a categorical concentration in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. This accelerated program provides specialized study, including a clinical practicum, and will allow students to pursue the categorical concentration of the master’s program in one of the following areas: hematology, microbiology or immunohematology. Students in the program may count up to 10 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 144 credits rather than the 154 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

Students holding these degrees will have a head start for career advancement in medical laboratory sciences. The M.S. degree provides students with advanced theoretical and technical education and prepares them to assume roles as laboratory supervisors, educators and researchers. VCU will provide students with a superior, yet flexible, course of advanced study in medical laboratory sciences.

Entrance to the accelerated program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.

Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program requires completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours including the biology core courses of BIOL 152, BIOL 200, BIOL 300, BIOL 310, BIOL 317 and BIOL 318; BIOZ 151 and BIOZ 152; CHEM 101, CHEM 102, CHEM 301 and CHEM 302;  CHEZ 101, CHEZ 102, CHEZ 301 and CHEZ 302; an overall GPA of 3.0; a biology major GPA of 3.0; eight to 10 credit hours of discipline-specific undergraduate course work in medical laboratory sciences based on the student’s choice of specialty (see curriculum requirements for the M.S. degree program in medical laboratory sciences, categorical concentration in the Graduate Bulletin for a list of the undergraduate discipline-specific courses, also included in the plan of study below). The credits for the discipline-specific undergraduate courses in medical laboratory sciences will substitute for required major electives in the undergraduate degree.

Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate adviser for the biology program and the faculty adviser to the graduate program.

Admission to the graduate program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin.

Degree requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Biology degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

A maximum of 10 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree selected from the list below in consultation with an advisor. These graduate credits will substitute for required major electives for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

The graduate courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, and may be counted toward both B.S. and M.S. degrees are:

Recommended course sequence/plan of study

What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the first year, prior to admission to the accelerated program in the second year. Each of the specialty areas of the categorical concentrations is outlined below.

Hematology specialty

Immunohematology specialty¹

Microbiology specialty