Biology

Jump to the major map

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

College of Humanities and Sciences

Program description

The Department of Biology offers programs leading to baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees; the doctoral degree is offered through the Ph.D. in Integrative Life Sciences program. Students may specialize within many areas, such as molecular and cellular biology, genetics, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, systematics, physiology, neurobiology, and developmental biology. Students also may develop an interdisciplinary focus to their degree program, for example within areas such as bioinformatics, cancer biology, forensic science and environmental science.

Career opportunities

The four-year curriculum in biology prepares students for employment in laboratory or field programs in private industry or government agencies and for teaching in secondary schools. This curriculum also prepares students graduate study in biology and for admission into schools of medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, and into allied health programs.

Bachelor-level job titles

Biological Technician
Clinical Research Coordinators
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Fish and Game Wardens
Food Science Technician
Health Educator
Microbiologist
Museum Technician and Conservator
Park Naturalist
Secondary School Teacher
Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products

Professional associations and resources

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Biology

Plan of study in Bulletin

Biology

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 200

Science required

5+ additional science courses

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

Contact information

Department name:

Department of Biology

Building/room location:

Eugene P. and Lois E. Trani Center for Life Sciences, 1000 W. Cary Street, Room 126, Richmond, VA 23284

Phone:

(804) 828-1562

Email:

bioadvising@vcu.edu

http://www.biology.vcu.edu/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
Explore the major through your introductory biology and chemistry courses.
Attend all supplemental instruction sessions.
Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs.
Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations on campus.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office.
Review the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs(OMSA) website for programs, events, and resources.
Join a living-learning program such as VCU Globe.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers/ job titles in your field of study.
Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Attend a Pre-Professional Health Interest Workshop, offered by University Academic Advising, if you are considering a professional health program (medicine, dentistry, etc.)
Explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ website.
Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses and your plan to complete the Biology core and collateral coursework.
Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).
Join a student organization such as National Science Teachers Association, Women in Science, STEM at VCU, Black Women in STEM, or a pre-professional health track club.
Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break, and other leadership and service events.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
Join a cultural organization.
Consider short-term, semester and year long Study Abroad opportunities.
Attend OMSA Social Justice Conference.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Create a draft of your resume and go to drop-ins at VCU Career Services to have it reviewed.
Attend Career & Internship Fairs and career events throughout the year to explore your interests.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework.
Discuss the options for fulfilling your biology senior capstone and begin to plan accordingly as many students use research, internship, service-learning or study abroad to fulfill this requirement.
Work with a professor as a preceptor or through a directed and/or independent study.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Create and complete a science related community-engaged research project.
Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
Attend a program through the Wellness Resource Center.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

With careful planning, a study abroad semester works well during junior or senior year.
Consider becoming a diversity ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Develop tangible skills in internships that you can demonstrate to employers.
Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
Go to a conference for a professional association, club or other organization.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Based on career goals, talk to a career/academic advisor or a faculty member about whether graduate school or a job fits your career goals.
Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revisit gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
Take biology courses that will help you build your skill set and resume including internship, directed and/or independent study, labs, preceptorship and service-learning.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Consider jobs in the nonprofit sector.
Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.
Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships. Enhance your networking skills and practice your “elevator speech” when presenting yourself.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Read scholarly articles about diversity in STEM.
Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
Schedule a mock interview with VCU Career Services.
Attend Office of Multicultural Student Affairs I Love Diversity Week.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Gain practical experience related to your career goal through internships, externships and skill building.
Take on a leadership role in a student organization or club or go deeper in your service opportunities.
Join a professional association such as the American Institute of Biological Sciences or the American Association for the Advancement of Science

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

Biology

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):

No concentration

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY	DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression. Explore the major through your introductory biology and chemistry courses. Attend all supplemental instruction sessions. Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.	Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events! Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs. Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations on campus.	Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office. Review the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs(OMSA) website for programs, events, and resources. Join a living-learning program such as VCU Globe.	Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers/ job titles in your field of study. Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities. Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.	Attend a Pre-Professional Health Interest Workshop, offered by University Academic Advising, if you are considering a professional health program (medicine, dentistry, etc.) Explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ website. Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
Experience	Year 2	Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses and your plan to complete the Biology core and collateral coursework. Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.	Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA). Join a student organization such as National Science Teachers Association, Women in Science, STEM at VCU, Black Women in STEM, or a pre-professional health track club. Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break, and other leadership and service events.	Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week. Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at a monthly Global Café. Join a cultural organization. Consider short-term, semester and year long Study Abroad opportunities. Attend OMSA Social Justice Conference.	Create a draft of your resume and go to drop-ins at VCU Career Services to have it reviewed. Attend Career & Internship Fairs and career events throughout the year to explore your interests.	Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest. Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network. Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Experience	Year 3	See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework. Discuss the options for fulfilling your biology senior capstone and begin to plan accordingly as many students use research, internship, service-learning or study abroad to fulfill this requirement. Work with a professor as a preceptor or through a directed and/or independent study.	Create and complete a science related community-engaged research project. Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions. Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department. Attend a program through the Wellness Resource Center.	With careful planning, a study abroad semester works well during junior or senior year. Consider becoming a diversity ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office	Develop tangible skills in internships that you can demonstrate to employers. Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan. Go to a conference for a professional association, club or other organization.	Based on career goals, talk to a career/academic advisor or a faculty member about whether graduate school or a job fits your career goals. Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revisit gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.
Excel	Year 4	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. Take biology courses that will help you build your skill set and resume including internship, directed and/or independent study, labs, preceptorship and service-learning.	Consider jobs in the nonprofit sector. Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year. Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships. Enhance your networking skills and practice your “elevator speech” when presenting yourself.	Read scholarly articles about diversity in STEM. Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations. Schedule a mock interview with VCU Career Services. Attend Office of Multicultural Student Affairs I Love Diversity Week.	Gain practical experience related to your career goal through internships, externships and skill building. Take on a leadership role in a student organization or club or go deeper in your service opportunities. Join a professional association such as the American Institute of Biological Sciences or the American Association for the Advancement of Science	Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation. Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation. Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.