Department of Biology
Department of Biology

How to Declare

Application Deadlines

Arts and Sciences students are required to declare a major before the end of their second year, second semester. Third year transfers are required to declare a major within the first few weeks in the first semester at UVA. All 2nd major forms should be submitted as soon as eligible, and no later than 3 weeks before the start of the last semester to give ample processing time before graduation.  All minor forms should be submitted after declaring a major, and no later than 3 weeks before the start of the last semester to give ample processing time before graduation.  

​Processing times may vary depending on the time of year (expect delays during the first week of enrollment, drop/add period, May graduation, and official holiday breaks). Approved major forms should appear in SIS within 3 weeks. The catalog year will be based on the date the student submits the docusign application. Please check your SIS account to verify your form was processed and the requirements report matches the catalog term.  Email biol-ug@virginia.edu for questions.

Eligibility Requirements

B.A. Degree in Biology:

1) Complete either BIOL 2100 or any 3000-level BIOL course at UVA.
Students with AP or IB BIOL test credit or transfer credit for BIOL 2100 must complete any 3000-level BIOL course at UVA prior to declaring the B.A. degree.

2) Have at least a 2.000 cumulative GPA at UVA and be in good academic standing.

Transfer students:

Incoming 3rd year transfer students may declare the B.A. degree during their first semester, provided they are enrolled in either BIOL 3000 or BIOL 3010. Incoming 3rd year transfer students may initially only declare the B.A. degree in Biology.

B.S. Degree in Biology:

Students who originally declared a B.A. degree at the end of their second year may change (i.e. re-declare) to the B.S. program, once they have met these eligibility requirements: *  

1) Complete all three core courses with a cumulative average 2.700 GPA (B-)

  • BIOL 3000 Cell Biology
  • BIOL 3010 Genetics & Molecular Biology
  • BIOL 3020 Evolution & Ecology

2) Have at least a 2.000 cumulative GPA at UVA and be in good academic standing

*Note:  The College deadline for changing your major declaration is before the beginning of your last semester.

Minor in Biology:

To be eligible to declare a minor, you must first have a major declared in SIS.  Although there are no specific requirements to declare the Biology Minor, it is recommended to take an introductory biology course (BIOL 2100 or BIOL 2200).

To declare a Biology Major or Minor:

Follow the 7 steps below to complete your declaration form.

1) Fill in the corresponding checklist (for BA or BS only, no checklist for the minor). Save as a PDF. 

2) Download your transcript from SIS. Save as a PDF.

3) Follow the DocuSign instructions to complete the DocuSign form online.

  • Enter your name and email under “Student”
  • Enter the following under Declaration of Major Contact:
    Name: Lisa Ishler
    Email: dli3a@virginia.edu
  • Click "Begin Signing" at the bottom of the PowerForm. This will lead you to the actual Major Declaration form. Complete the required fields on the form. 

4) Fill out the form, and include your upper-level BIOL courses (3000 or higher) from your checklist.

5) Attach your transcript and B.A./B.S. checklist to your major declaration (using the paperclip icon on the form). (PDFs)

6) Once you receive your approved declaration form back from DocuSign, it will have your advisor listed on the form. Advisors are available while classes are in session during the fall and spring terms for questions related to your academic plans.  You will find their contact information on our Faculty Directory.

Complete Declaration forms received during the scheduled application deadlines normally appear in SIS within 3 weeks.  Please check your SIS account to verify. Processing times may vary depending on the time of year.

Incomplete forms or forms without the correct attachments will not be processed. 

7) Go to the Biology Major email list and sign up for emails to receive important information.

Questions? Contact the Biology Undergraduate Coordinator at BIOL-UG@virginia.edu

Deferring the Major: Deferring the major is not common considering you only need one biology course to qualify, and if you don't have at least one biology course by the end of your second year, finishing the major will be a challenge. For questions about deferring the major please email: BIOL-UG@virginia.edu