2025-2026 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 Department of Biological Sciences offers two B.S. degree paths: the B.S. in Biological Sciences and the B.S. in Microbiology.
The B.S. in Biological Sciences program provides majors with a broad education in the study of life. This curriculum exposes students to the fundamentals of the discipline: genetics, cell and molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and ecology. In addition, Biological Sciences majors may take advantage of elective courses on topics such as macromolecular structure, pathogenic bacteriology, cancer biology, infectious disease ecology, human genetics, and global change ecology. Students may choose to complete an option in one of the following three areas: Biomedical; Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB); or Biology Education.
The B.S. in Microbiology program provides majors with a more focused education in the biology and roles of microscopic life forms present in our environments. The laboratory-intensive curriculum provides knowledge in the genetics and physiology common to all microbes and allows students to explore specific interests with a broad range of advanced electives such as pathogenic bacteriology, immunology, environmental microbiology, food microbiology, virology, microbial forensics, and bioinformatics.
Modern biology increasingly relies on knowledge, skills, and perspectives associated with other scientific fields, particularly chemistry, mathematics, physics and statistics. Success in biological sciences-associated careers requires students to master the fundamentals of these cognate fields and to be able to apply these skill sets.
As a scientific discipline, biology is more than simple knowledge about living organisms. By integrating education and research, our majors are training to be leaders in their field who practice innovative and interdisciplinary approaches in biological research. By participating in undergraduate research during the academic year, our students are discovering through hands-on experience what it means to Invent the Future. Our majors are strongly encouraged to explore internships and research opportunities on campus and elsewhere during the summer.
The majority of our graduates continue on to advanced studies in the health professions or in various branches of the biological sciences. Graduates pursue professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and nursing, or M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in ecology, environmental biology, microbiology, botany, zoology, cell biology, molecular biology, and biomedical sciences. Students interested in entering the workforce are provided the core background for opportunities in biotechnology, food science, bioinformatics, bio-business, and health-related industries.
Students who satisfactorily complete the undergraduate curriculum in biological sciences or microbiology may pursue advanced studies leading to the M.S. or Ph.D. in various branches of the biological sciences. Those interested in teaching science are prepared to pursue the M.A.Ed.
The training afforded by the first three years (approximately 96 hours) meets the pre-medical training requirements of medical colleges that accept students with only three years of undergraduate work. It is strongly recommended, however, that all students complete a B.S. before entering medical school.
Dental colleges require a minimum of three years of college training for admission, but it is generally advisable for students to complete the B.S. before entering dental school.
Schools of Allied Health Professions, such as nursing, pharmacy, medical technology, physical therapy, etc., require two or more years of college work for admission. Specific requirements are available from Career and Professional Development or the Biological Sciences Department.
Veterinary schools require a minimum of three years of college training for admission. Few students who meet only the minimum entrance requirements are accepted by veterinary schools.
Head: Daniela Cimini
Harold H. Bailey Endowed Chair: J. R. Walters6
Professors: J. Barrett, L. K. Belden, D. Capelluto, C. Carey, R. S. Cohen, C. Finkielstein, M. J. Friedlander, S. Hauf, D. Hawley2,3,7, A. LaMantia, I. Lazar, L. Li6, S. B. Melville, I. T. Moore2,3, D. L. Popham, B. Scharf, A. M. Stevens2,3,7, D. Tholl, Q. Thomas, B. S. J. Winkel10, and Z. Yang
Associate Professors: J. Allen, F. Aylward, B. Brown, J. Chen, V. Corbin, J. Draghi, E. R. Hotchkiss2,7, S. Kojima, K. Langwig, J. W. McGlothlin, M. C. Mims, F. Schubot, K. Sewall, J. Smyth, J. C. Uyeda, R. A. Walker3,7, and S. R. Whitehead
Assistant Professors: D. Cortes Estrada, V. Gómez-Bahamón, A. D. Gray, J. Hoyt, B. Hsu, A. Igwe, S. R. Johnstone, H. Lam, R. Márquez Pizano, J. Moss, A. Suvorov, and J. Vargas-Muñiz
Assistant Professor of Practice: J. G. Tokuhisa
Senior Instructors: J. Evans1, E. P. Hogan, M. V. Lipscomb2,3, M. S. Rosenzweig2,3,4, and R. W. Seyler
Advanced Instructors: M. M. Emori2,4, S. M. Voshell, and B. D. Wills
Instructor: K. A. Bretz
Curator of the Massey Herbarium: J. S. Metzgar
Footnotes:
Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising
Academy of Teaching Excellence inductee
Wine Award recipient
Sporn Award recipient
Alumni Award for Extension Excellence
Alumni Award for Research Excellence
Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence
Academy of Faculty Service
Commonwealth of Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award
Diggs Teaching Scholar Awards
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