Biology Undergraduate FAQ

I have Advanced Placement (AP) credit for BIOL 2100 and BIOL 2200.   Should I take these courses at UVA anyway?

Generally, if you've received AP credit for BIOL 2100 and 2200 and you plan to major in Biology, you shouldn't "repeat" those introductory courses.  Your advanced placement credits allow you to take any 3000-level courses that will contribute to your major. (The upper-level courses will also satisfy the pre-med biology requirement.)

If you do not plan on majoring in Biology and you are a pre-health student, you may need to have actual college credits for Introductory Biology + Lab to satisfy pre-med requirements. You can get more pre-health information and advice from the University Career Services Pre-professional Advisor. 

I'd like to declare a Biology major.  What should I do?

The requirements and instructions for declaring a Biology major are on the How to Declare a Biology Major page of the Biology Undergraduate Programs website. All students are required to declare the BA major before applying for the BS major.

How do I change from a BA to BS or vice versa?    

To switch from one Biology major program to the other, you need to complete a new Major Declaration form with your advisor. Be sure to check the box that notes that this declaration replaces the previous one. 

I received a low or failing grade in a Biology course. Should I retake the course?

If you have received an F in a Biology B.A. Major core course (BIOL 3000, BIOL 3010, or BIOL 3020), you must retake the course and receive a passing grade (D- or better). Note: Students with more than one failing grade in major core courses are subject to removal from the biology major.

If you have received a D- or higher in any Biology major course, you have passed the course and received credit for taking it.  According the College of Arts and Sciences, students may retake any course, but how that repeated course interacts with your GPA depends on what grade you received the first time you took it. Please see below for the official policy.  

Because of the high demand for the Biology major core courses, we advise students to consider carefully whether repeating a course would be beneficial for them. 

The Official College of Arts & Sciences Policy on Retaking Courses

'In accordance with University policy, if a student earns a D+, D, D-, or F in a course and decides to take it again, both courses and their grades will appear on the transcript. However, only the higher of the two grades will be used in calculation of the grade point average (GPA). This GPA adjustment applies only in the following cases: when both the original and the repeated course are completed at UVA and taken for a letter grade; to the first 9 credits of courses that are repeated; and when the repeated course was attempted no earlier than Fall 2025. 

'If a course is initially passed with a grade of C- or higher and subsequently repeated, only the first grade earned is included in the computation of GPA. However, only the repeated course counts toward the 120 credits required for graduation. Both the original and repeated course, and their grades, appear on the student’s transcript.' (See: Arts and Sciences policy on repeated courses.)

I'd like to take a course at a local college/university while I'm at home this summer. Is it possible to transfer these credits and count this course toward my Biology Major?

Once you've matriculated at UVA, only some Biology major requirements are able to be completed through transfer credit from another university. These are typically "requisite" courses, such as Introductory Biology, General or Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Math.  To receive transfer credit for these courses, review the College regulations on transfer credits and follow the instructions for submitting the necessary paperwork. As long as these courses are listed in the list of Transfer Credit Equivalencies as providing credit for the designated UVA course (e.g. CHEM1410, etc.), the Biology Department does not require a course syllabus to review.  If such a UVA equivalency is not listed, you’ll need to consult the relevant department to get approval for transfer as the UVA course. NOTE: You must have any transfer credit approved before you take the course.

You may also petition to have upper-level transfer credits count toward your Biology major. Unique courses that broaden the undergraduate experience (e.g. field courses, marine biology, study abroad) beyond what is currently offered by the Biology Department are good candidates for Biology major transfer credit approval. Be aware that courses taken at community colleges are 1000-level or 2000-level and therefore may not be used toward upper-level Biology major credit requirements. Also, once matriculated at UVA, you may not satisfy any of the Biology major core course requirements through transfer credit (BA: BIOL 3000, 3010, 3020; BS: BIOL 3000, 3010, 3020, 3030, 3040, 3050). NOTE: You must have your transfer credit approved before you take the course.

1. The course must be primarily biological in content, and it must have a minimum prerequisite on Introductory Biology.
2. The course must be a full-semester course from a four-year accredited academic institution.
3. Unless the course is a “direct credit” study abroad program course, it is subject to the 6 credit maximum for courses taken outside of the Biology Department at UVA.
4. Internships may not be counted as credits toward the Biology major.
5. Non-UVA field courses may not be counted toward the laboratory requirement for the major.
6. Grades from transfer courses will not count in the calculation of your Biology major GPA
7. Please submit any requests for Biology major transfer credit approval to Keith Kozminski, Director of Undergraduate Programs. Final approval for transfer credit will be made by the Undergraduate Committee and/or relevant faculty within the Biology Department.

Can I be exempted from a specific restriction or Biology major requirement?

If you would like to be exempted from any degree program restrictions or requirements, you may petition the Director of Undergraduate Programs. You should include in your petition: (1) background information (major, academic year…) and a summary statement of why you’re submitting the petition, and (2) any detailed information necessary for the Director of Undergraduate Programs and the Undergraduate Committee to evaluate your request. If appropriate, describe the courses planned to complete the major requirements. If you’re petitioning for a course to be applied to your major credits, please include the course syllabus. Also attach a copy of your transcript to the petition. Finally, your petition must include a letter (or e-mail) of endorsement from your Biology major advisor. Please submit your request to Keith Kozminski, Director of Undergraduate Programs. 

I’d like to do research as part of my Biology major.  What’s involved and how do I get started?

Great! Look at the information provided on the Undergraduate Research web page, then talk with your Biology major advisor for help finding the right lab.

Is Biology the best major for getting into medical school?

There is no “Pre-med” degree program at UVA, but even if there were, such a credential by itself is not necessarily thewould be attractive to medical school admissions committees. You should choose your major based on what you love and where you flourish. This is true whether or not you plan on applying to medical school.

Where can I find information about Pre-dental, Pre-med, Pre-veterinary requirements?

Visit the Pre-Health Advising and Information page.

What should I do if I'm interested in computational biology?

Visit the resource page or reach out to Prof. Nicholas Landry