2024-2025 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
The College of Science at Virginia Tech provides students with interdisciplinary training in analytical skills, a comprehensive foundation in the tools of science and the scientific method, and rigorous education in any of a wide variety of scientific fields. Outstanding faculty members conduct research and teach courses in fourteen disciplines leading to baccalaureate and advanced degrees. Coursework from the College of Science further provides a foundation of knowledge in a number of fundamental and advanced subjects for students in all Colleges across the campus. The College of Science also offers academic advising and appropriate preparatory coursework for students interested in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-veterinary medicine, and patent or intellectual property law.
The college supports research centers in areas such as biomedical and public health sciences, applied mathematics, macromolecular science, and many other critical technologies and applied sciences that interface with other Colleges at the University. Allied disciplines emphasize the study of behavioral science as well as economic and strategic decision making. The College is committed to providing research opportunities for interested students at all levels.
A student in the College of Science must complete at least 120 hours for an undergraduate degree as well as satisfying the following requirements:
No course required for the major/minor may be elected to be taken on a pass/fail (P/F) basis (i.e., pass/fail may be used for free electives only). This excludes courses that are offered P/F only.
A description of the General Education Requirements (Pathways General Education) may be found in the Academics chapter of this catalog or on the Pathways General Education website (www.pathways.prov.vt.edu).
Students must complete the second year (level II) of a single foreign language [including Sign Language (ESL)] in a secondary school. This requirement may also be fulfilled by successful completion of one of the following:
The Honors College welcomes highly motivated College of Science students. The mission of the Honors College is to inspire and facilitate an extraordinary education for students of exceptional ability who seek to be active learners and who will apply their knowledge and skills to critical real-world problems.
Currently enrolled Virginia Tech students will receive an invitation to apply to the Honors College at the end of each fall or spring semester, provided they have achieved a 3.40 or better cumulative GPA and have at least four (4) semesters remaining at Virginia Tech before they graduate. More information about honors academic requirements and how to earn an honors diploma is available on the Honors College website: https://www.honorscollege.vt.edu.
Designed for students seeking an in-depth understanding of 21st century science, the Integrated Science Curriculum (ISC) provides a novel, integrated scientific foundation for any degree program in the College of Science. It employs a collaborative, active-learning environment emphasizing teamwork, skill acquisition, independent thought, and creativity. Structurally, ISC is a 30-credit two-year course sequence that covers the fundamentals of college-level chemistry, physics, and biology integrated with each other and with calculus and linear algebra. Teamwork, written and oral presentation, and problem-solving are central components throughout the curriculum. See a full description of the ISC at https://www.ais.science.vt.edu/academics/isc.html.
An undergraduate student who attempts at least 12 credit hours graded on the A-F option and who earns a 3.4 GPA for either spring or fall semester will be included on the online Dean's List for that term. Please note: Students will not appear on the online Dean's List if they are listed in the system as confidential or if they do not have an active permanent address. Questions about omissions from the online list should be directed to the Office of the University Registrar.
Career and Professional Development offers advising to all students who are considering graduate or professional school as part of their career planning process. Students are welcome to seek advising for decision-making on whether graduate school is the path to their career goal, how to research school and programs, and reviews resumes and personal statements. Students interested in any health profession requiring graduate or professional school are encouraged to participate in health professions advising https://career.vt.edu/advising/hpa.html. Health professions advising is particularly helpful in advising students interested in nursing, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, allopathic medicine (MD), osteopathic medicine (OD), physical therapy, becoming a physician's assistant/nurse practitioner, etc. Advising for students interested in patent or intellectual property law careers is available in the college advising center.
Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious honor society dedicated to recognizing excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Students in the College of Science who have exhibited outstanding academic ability in eligible coursework may be eligible for selection to Phi Beta Kappa.
A number of scholarships are available for outstanding students enrolled in the College of Science. Descriptions and deadlines are available on the Scholarships and Financial Aid website.
Research opportunities and experiencing the excitement of discovery can play an important part in undergraduate training in science. College of Science departments offer diverse research opportunities in which students may choose to participate. Individuals interested in undergraduate research should contact a faculty member in the department where they wish to conduct research.
Students are encouraged to participate in internship and co-op opportunities to gain relevant work experience prior to graduation. Career advisors in the college advising center as well as departmental career advisors can help students identify opportunities. In some cases, students can receive credit for qualifying work experience. Enrichment studies include field station opportunities, study abroad and summer laboratory experiences outside of the university.
Career advising is available from a number of sources. The centralized Career and Professional Development, located at the Smith Career Center, offers many services to aid with your career journey. Beginning with career and major exploration early in your time on campus, through the process of assisting you in the job search or graduate and professional school application, Career and Professional Development advisors can be a resource for you along the way. Career advisors have resources to guide your every step in the career journey, as well as assisting in gaining valuable experience through internships and other opportunities in your career field(s) of interest. Specialized Health Professions Advisors are also available for those that are choosing to pursue post-graduate education in a Health Profession. For more information, visit www.career.vt.edu. The departments within the College of Science also host panels and information sessions with employers interested in hiring students with degrees from the college. Every major has departmental advisors who specialize in guiding students from their field towards career success.
As part of a service to you, Career and Professional Development offers each student a free Handshake account. Students who are seeking any type of career-related experience or employment, including internships, co-ops, career-related summer employment, and permanent positions are eligible to use Handshake. You may upload your resume, search for companies interested in Virginia Tech students, apply for positions, review job fairs, and sign up for on-campus interviews listed in Handshake. Additional information about this resource can be found at https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html.
College of Science departments offer graduate degrees at both the Master's and Ph.D. levels. Complete information on these programs including descriptions of graduate courses can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
Dean: Kevin Pitts
Associate Dean for Research: John Morris
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Graduate Studies: Patricia Hammer
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs: Michel Pleimling
Assistant Dean for Outreach and Student Engagement: Victoria Corbin
Assistant Dean for Research in the National Capital Region: Laura Freeman
Assistant Dean for Inclusion and Diversity: Estrella Johnson
Assistant Dean for Finance: Will Walton
Assistant Dean for Advancement: Michael Walsh
Overview of the college and its degrees as well as the various career opportunities available to College of Science graduates. Introduction to University resources that aid in strategic academic and career planning. Intended for first-year Explore Science majors in the College of Science.
First year experience course for students living in the Curie or Da Vinci Living Learning Communities at Virginia Tech. Provides resources and fundamental skills to enhance learning experiences and support academic success in the sciences. Engages students with professional and academic development activities both in the classroom and within a science-themed residence hall. Uses a learn by doing approach to blending technical know-how with leadership, ethical, interpersonal and professional skills fundamental to the practice of science. Requires teamwork to envision, design, and implement research projects while using innovative discipline-specific technology. Provides first-year students with support through a weekly peer mentoring program. 1015: Emphasis on scientific inquiry, curriculum planning, career planning in the sciences, skills to promote academic success, awareness of academic and career resources and opportunities. 1016: Emphasis on collaborative problem-solving skills using innovative discipline-specific technology, critical thinking; Integration of ideas and experiences to encourage life-long learning through service work related to their academic/ career interests.
First year experience course for students living in the Curie or Da Vinci Living Learning Communities at Virginia Tech. Provides resources and fundamental skills to enhance learning experiences adn support academic success in the sciences. Engages students with professional and academic development activities both in the classroom and within a science-themed residence hall. Uses a learn by doing approach to blending technical know-how with leadership, ethical, interpersonal and professional skills fundamental to the practice of science. Requires teamwork to envision, design, and implement research projects while using innovative discipline-specific technology. Provides first-year students with support through a weekly peer mentoring program. 1015: Emphasis on scientific inquiry, curriculum planning, career planning in the sciences, skills to promot academic success, awarenenss of academic and career resources and opportunities. 1016: Emphasis on collaborative problem- solving skills using innovative discipline-specific technology, critical thinking; Integration of ideas and experiences to encourage life-long learning through service work related to their academic/career interests.
Leadership and professional development course for sophomore science majors in the Curie and Da Vinci Living Learning Communities (LLCs). Applied experience in fundamental leadership and project management skills associated with practice of science, gained through service learning within the LLC. 2015: Academic peer mentoring, application and development of leadership and communication skills; application and development of project planning, organizational and collaboration skills; emphasis on written communication skills. 2016: Application of team mentoring and project management skills, including project planning and coordination, leadership strategies, collaboration, communication, conflict resolution, understanding group dynamics and the importance of diversity, and facilitating group discussion on scientific problem solving; emphasis on verbal communication skills.
Seminar-based course providing a survey of current interdisciplinary science and engineering research problems; introduction to interdisciplinary thinking and communication; issues related to interdisciplinary research teams.
Applications of science leadership for sophomore through senior students in the Orion Science Living Learning Community (LLC). Students learn leadership skills while mentoring and designing activities to help younger students develop skills needed to succeed in college and future science careers. 3015: Recognize the needs of first- and second-year college students: help students find their own solutions; cooperatively plan and run activities that help first- and second-year college students develop professional skills and meet learning objectives; practice communication and motivation skills; model professional and ethical conduct; assess self as a learner and a leader. 3016: Coach teams and manage projects: help first- and second-year college students to apply their existing knowledge to a new project; identify problem-solving strategies and propose solutions; facilitate teamwork; communicate scientific information to the public in writing and orally; articulate the relationship between service to others and effective leadership.
Applications of science leadership for sophomore through senior students in the Orion Science Living Learning Community (LLC). Students learn leadership skills while mentoring and designing activities to help younger students develop skills needed to succeed in college and future science careers. 3015: Recognize the needs of first- and second-year college students: help students find their own solutions; cooperatively plan and run activities that help first- and second-year college students develop professional skills and meet learning objectives; practice communication and motivation skills; model professional and ethical conduct; assess self as a learner and a leader. 3016: Coach teams and manage projects: help first- and second-year college students to apply their existing knowledge to a new project; identify problem-solving strategies and propose solutions; facilitate teamwork; communicate scientific information to the public in writing and orally; articulate the relationship between service to others and effective leadership.
Supervision in Science is a course for junior through senior students in the Orion Living Learning Community (LLC). Students learn more advanced management and supervisory skills while working closely with Orion LLC faculty and staff to build on previously learned mentorship, leadership, and lesson/event planning skills to help younger students develop skills needed for success in college and future science careers. 4015: Recognize the needs and manage activities of first, second, and third year college students: assess self as a peer supervisor; develop an individual development plan (IDP) for peer supervisors with Orion LLC Directors; model professional and ethical conduct; effectively and positively motivate teams of first, second, and third year students to meet learning objectives and develop professional skills; help first, second, and third year college students effectively and professionally communicate needs. 4016: Apply supervisory skills to managing and coaching student teams toward completion of program activities and projects: reassess and revise individual development plan (IDP) for peer supervisory role with Orion LLC Directors; help second and third year college students effectively motivate and guide first year students toward the completion of a group research project; help younger students communicate scientific information to the public orally and in writing; facilitate conflict resolution; promote professional and timely communication for second and third year college students; articulate the role of supervision as an aspiring science professional.
Supervision in Science is a course for junior through senior students in the Orion Living Learning Community (LLC). Students learn more advanced management and supervisory skills while working closely with Orion LLC faculty and staff to build on previously learned mentorship, leadership, and lesson/event planning skills to help younger students develop skills needed for success in college and future science careers. 4015: Recognize the needs and manage activities of first, second, and third year college students: assess self as a peer supervisor; develop an individual development plan (IDP) for peer supervisors with Orion LLC Directors; model professional and ethical conduct; effectively and positively motivate teams of first, second, and third year students to meet learning objectives and develop professional skills; help first, second, and third year college students effectively and professionally communicate needs. 4016: Apply supervisory skills to managing and coaching student teams toward completion of program activities and projects: reassess and revise individual development plan (IDP) for peer supervisory role with Orion LLC Directors; help second and third year college students effectively motivate and guide first year students toward the completion of a group research project; help younger students communicate scientific information to the public orally and in writing; facilitate conflict resolution; promote professional and timely communication for second and third year college students; articulate the role of supervision as an aspiring science professional.
A capstone experience centered around an open-ended, faculty-advised senior project involving the design of a process, material, or technique for solving an interdisciplinary problem. Pre: Enrollment in Interdisciplinary Engineering and Science Minor.
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