2025-2026
Biology, Bachelor of Science (NEXT STEP Pathway)
VCU
Community college:
Associate of Science in Science (Reynolds Community College)
Associate degree
Associate of Science in Science (G3 program)
Completing the associate degree will waive VCU's general education requirements.
Program description
The Department of Biology is housed in the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability within the College of Humanities and Sciences. The department offers four accelerated B.S. to M.S. degree programs, which allow Biology majors to obtain both undergraduate and graduate degrees in approximately five years.
Biology students may specialize their study 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 for 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 Scientist
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Food Science Technician
- Health Educator
- Museum Technician and Conservator
- Park Naturalist
- Secondary School Teacher
- Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
Graduate and professional level job titles
- Environmental Health Specialist
- Epidemiologist
- Medical Doctor
- Researcher
Contact information
Telephone: (804) 827-1349
Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu
VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist
Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638
Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.
Guaranteed transfer admission requirements
Students are guaranteed admission to this degree program with:
- Completion of the associate degree
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- All courses completed with a "C" grade or better
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's
Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's (forensic science)
Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's (health and movement science)
Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's (medical laboratory science)
Plan of study in Bulletin
Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's
Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's (forensic science)
Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's (health and movement science)
Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's (medical laboratory science)
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- MATH 200
Science required
- 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
- No
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.0+ major GPA
VCU Major Maps
Transfer major map
2025-2026
Biology, Bachelor of Science (NEXT STEP Pathway)
Reynolds Community College (Associate of Science in Science)
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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| Explore | Year 1 |
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| Experience | Year 2 |
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Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Register for SDV 101.
- Schedule an advising appointment with your Reynolds advisor and review your Reynolds advising workbook.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes and use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Cultivate relationships with your professors.
- Explore financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Explore the VCU Biology department website.
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- Find out if you are eligible for the NEXT STEP VCU program.
- Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend cultural events at community college and VCU to celebrate diversity.
- Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
- Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
- Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Familiarize yourself with Handshake and explore Career Pathways on the VCU Career Services’ Website.
- Browse careers and occupations related to biology.
- Explore iGrad to look into building a career and financial future.
- Build a LinkedIn profile.
- Take a career assessment to explore job options.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
- Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
- Create a weekly and monthly budget.
- Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an advising appointment with your Reynolds advisor.
- Meet with your NEXT STEP advisor or submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
- Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
- Be prepared for academic challenges. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Submit the FAFSA on time.
- Explore the accelerated BS/MS in biology options.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Submit the NEXT Step Interest Form.
- Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
- Research housing options for next year.
- Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU Biology department.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
- Check out the VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and follow @vcuomsa.
- Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or VCU Biology department program-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Find out about VCU REAL and learn about VCU's REAL graduation requirement.
- Use Handshake to explore jobs and internships that match your interests and skills.
- If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, consider applying for the VCU Honors College.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
- Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
- Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
- Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Recommended courses
2025-2026
Biology, Bachelor of Science (NEXT STEP Pathway)
Reynolds Community College (Associate of Science in Science)
| Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||||
| SDV 101 | Orientation to STEM Disciplines | UNIV 101 | 1 | Elective |
| MTH 161 | Precalculus I | MATH 141 | 3 | General education |
| ENG 111 | College Composition I | UNIV 111-112 | 3 | General education |
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I | CHEM/Z 101 | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
| History | Select one: HIS 101 Western Civilizations pre-1600 CE or HIS 121 United States History to 1877 | HIST 101 or HIST 103 | 3 | General education |
| ITE 152 | Introduction to Digital Literacy | BUSN 1XX | 3 | Elective |
| ENG 112 | College Composition II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
| MTH 162 | Precalculus II | MATH 151 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
| CHM 112 | General Chemistry II | CHEM/Z 102 | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
| Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature elective. Select one: ART 101 History of Art, ENG 255 World Literature, or PHI 220 Ethics | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education | |
| MTH 245 | Statistics I | STAT 210 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
| Year 2 | ||||
| History | Select one: HIS 102 Western Civilizations post-1600 CE or HIS 122 United States History since 1865 | HIST 102 or HIST 104 | 3 | General education |
| CHM 241 | Organic Chemistry I | CHEM 301 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
| CHM 245 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | CHEZ 301 | 2 | Major (Ancillary) |
| BIO 101 | General Biology I | BIOL/Z 151 | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
| Social/Behavioral elective (select one): ECO 201 Principles of Macroeconomics or PSY 200 Principles of Psychology | ECON 211 or PSYC 101 | 3 | General education | |
| Health/Personal Wellness Elective (select one): HLT 105 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, HLT 106 First Aid and Safety, or DIT 121 Nutrition I | VCU equivalent | 1 to 3 | Elective | |
| CHM 242 | Organic Chemistry II | CHEM 302 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
| CHM 246 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | CHEZ 302 | 2 | Major (Ancillary) |
| BIO 102 | General Biology II | BIOL/Z 152 | 4 | Major |
| Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature elective. Select one (must be from a different category than first Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature Elective): MUS 121 Music in Society, ENG 246 American Literature, or PHI 111 Logic I | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education | |
| MTH 263 | Calculus I | MATH 200 | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
| Reynolds credits transferred to VCU | 65 to 67 | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3 | |||
| BIOL 200 | Quantitative Biology (prerequisite for upper-level biology courses at VCU; consider taking in the summer at VCU) | 3 | Major |
| PHYS 201 | General Physics I | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
| Upper-level electives | 6 | Elective | |
| BIOL 300 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 | Major |
| PHYS 202 | General Physics II | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
| BIOL 317 | Ecology | 3 | Major |
| BIOL 318 | Evolution | 3 | Major |
| Year 4 | |||
| BIOL 310 | Genetics | 3 | Major |
| Biology transformative learning requirement: Select at least one from all biology (BIOL and BIOZ) courses that are approved as REAL level 3 or 4 transformative learning experiences | 1 to 3 | Major | |
| Biology electives: Select from all biology electives listed in the table below to satisfy the 40 biology credits required for the major. All majors must complete at minimum three additional upper-level biology lab courses. The laboratory experiences may be fulfilled by a separate laboratory section (BIOZ) or by laboratory hours included in a lecture-based (BIOL) course. Not all courses are offered each semester. BIOL courses at the 500 level are available to seniors and graduate students only. | 17 to 19 | Major | |
| Open electives | 3 to 5 | Elective | |
| Credits completed at VCU | 53 to 55 | ||
| Minimum credits required for bachelor's degree | 120 | ||