Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Special requirements

Degree 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. 

Laboratory requirement:  Biology majors will take BIOZ 151 and BIOZ 152 and then select at least three additional approved laboratory experiences; up to two laboratory experiences can be selected from BIOL 451, BIOL 453,  BIOL 492, BIOL 494, BIOL 495,  BIOZ 391, BIOZ 395, BIOZ 399 or BIOZ 493. Registration in BIOL 492, BIOL 494,  BIOL 495, BIOZ 395 or BIOZ 493, must be for a minimum of two credit hours to count as a laboratory experience. 

Transformative learning requirement: Students will take at least one REAL level 3 or 4 approved biology course. 

Research and internship limits: A maximum total of six credits for all undergraduate research and internships in biology (BIOL 395, BIOL 451, BIOL 453, BIOL 492, BIOL 493, BIOL 494, BIOL 495, BIOZ 395 and BIOZ 493) may be applied to the 40 credits of biology courses required for the major. Additional credits from these courses may be applied to upper-level and open elective credits toward the degree.  

Preceptorship limits: 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. 

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.

Lecture-based (BIOL) courses that include laboratory hours 

Biology electives offered through other programs

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.

Recommended course sequence/plan of study 

Freshman year
Fall semester		Hours
BIOL 151	Introduction to Biological Sciences I (satisfies general education BOK for natural science and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning)	3
BIOZ 151	Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory I	1
CHEM 101 & CHEZ 101	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I (CHEM 101 satisfies general education AOI for scientific and logical reasoning)	4
MATH 151	Precalculus Mathematics (satisfies general education quantitative foundations)	4
UNIV 101 or UNIV 103 or UNIV 191	Introduction to the University (recommended) 1 or Education and Career Planning 1 or Student Success Special Topics 1	1
UNIV 111 Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication	Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)	3
	Term Hours:	15
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
UNIV 200	Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)	3
Open elective		2
	Term Hours:	16
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
General education course		3
Open elective		2
	Term Hours:	16
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	General Physics I (satisfies general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning)	4
Select the two courses not previously taken from BIOL 310, BIOL 317 and BIOL 318.		6
General education course		3
Open elective		2
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
PHYS 202	General Physics II	4
Biology elective		3
Biology laboratory elective		2
General education course		1
Open elective		3
	Term Hours:	13
Senior year
Fall semester
Biology electives		6
Biology laboratory elective		1
Open electives		8
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
Biology electives		6
Biology laboratory elective		2
Open electives		7
	Term Hours:	15
	Total Hours:	120

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 the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during 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 and biomedical engineering. Students holding these degrees will have a head start for pursuing careers in industry or continuing in academia. The M.S. degree provides formal research experience and can lead to expanded job opportunities, greater potential for job advancement and higher starting salaries.

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 biomedical engineering 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 courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are:

Recommended plan of study for non-thesis master's

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.

Recommended plan of study for thesis master's

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