Bachelor of Arts
Synopsis
The biology department at VMI provides a focused education in the biological sciences. We prepare students for post-graduate education in the biological and health fields and allow for specialization that matches their interests and career plans. Faculty believe interaction in the classroom, laboratory, and on an individual basis is critical in the development of successful biology majors. Class sizes are small, laboratories accompany most courses, advising is conducted on an individual basis, and undergraduate research is encouraged.
The Biology Department offers a summer research experience known as the Dr. Fred C. Swope Summer Scholars Program. The program is eight-weeks of intensive study that introduces students to scientific method, research design and data analysis, data presentation, use of sophisticated laboratory instruments, and independent research. Each student conducts a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. This research is on the "cutting edge" of science and several publications have resulted from these projects. Normally, cadets are selected to participate in this program between their second and first class years.
B.A. Curriculum
The B.A. Curriculum is designed for those majors who require greater flexibility in their degree requirements and desire a broad training in biology. All students in the B.A. curriculum are required to complete the following courses:
- BI 101 Introductory Biology I
- BI 102 Introductory Biology II
- BI 201 Biostatistics
- BI 205 Genetics
- BI 312 Ecology
- BI 420 Biology Seminar
In addition to these courses a B.A. major must select one laboratory course (*) from
three of the following four core areas.
The Anatomy Core Area includes:
- BI 303 Developmental Biology*
- BI 304 Comparative Vertebrate Morphology*
- BI 405 Histology*
The Cell and Molecular Core Area includes:
- BI 313 Microbiology*
- BI 404 Cell Biology*
- BI 411 Immunology
- BI 430 Molecular Biology
The Organismal Biology Core Area includes:
- BI 204 Physiology*
- BI 216 Animal Behavior
- BI 218 Biology of Women
- BI 321 Invertebrate Zoology*
- BI 323 Exercise Physiology*
- BI 324 Ornithology*
- BI 410 Evolution
The Plant Biology Core Area includes:
- BI 217 Botany*
- BI 318 Plant Morphology*
An additional 10 hours are to be selected from any area within the biology curriculum except for research hours. This totals 43 hours in biology. In addition to the biology courses, B.A. majors must complete MA 123 and 124 (Calculus I and II) and show proficiency in a foreign language through the 200 level. Cadets in the B.A. major must complete either two semesters of organic chemistry with lab (CH 223 and 225, CH 224 and 226) or General Physics I and II, (PY 201 and PY 211, PY 202 and PY 212). To broaden the education, six credits of English above the 100 level are required. Additionally, 14 non-science elective credits must be completed in either English, history, economics, business, psychology, philosophy, fine arts, political science, or modern languages. The remainder (6) of the 135-136 hours required for graduation can be taken from any department on post.
Cadets completing the B.A. degree often complete double majors or minors in other disciplines. A minor in chemistry can be completed by taking one additional course from selected courses in the chemistry curriculum. The requirements for minors in psychology, English, or history, for example, fit in well to our elective requirements.
