Academic Catalog - Virginia Military Institute Admissions

BIOLOGY CURRICULA
The mission of the VMI biology department is to broadly train students to understand how living organisms function and to
appreciate the intricacies and interactions that govern all living systems. This mission supports the broader VMI mission of creating
citizen soldiers, by equipping students to make informed decisions that will better society. We accomplish this by providing students
with broad training and a fundamental background in the biological sciences, while providing the opportunity to specialize in the subdisciplines
described under “Academic Concentrations in Biology.” In addition, attainment of teacher certification is possible. The
degree programs are particularly good at preparing majors to pursue post-graduate education in the biological and health sciences
and allow for specialization that matches student interests and career plans. Faculty members believe that interaction with cadets
in the classroom, laboratory, and on an individual basis is critical in the development of the successful biology major. In keeping
with this philosophy, class sizes are small, laboratories accompany most courses, advising is conducted on an individual basis,
and undergraduate research is encouraged. The biology department also provides a summer research experience. The Dr. Fred
C. Swope Summer Scholars Program is an intensive, ten-week program that introduces selected students to the 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 at the “cutting edge” of science, and
student/faculty publications have resulted from these projects. Normally, cadets are selected to participate in this program between
their second and first class years. Many additional opportunities for undergraduate research exist, allowing students to engage in a
one-on-one interaction with a faculty mentor in their area of interest as early as the summer following the fourth class (freshman) year.
B.S. Curriculum
Common Core Course Requirements
All B.S. Biology majors are required to complete the
following courses:
BI 101 General Biology I
BI 102 General Biology II
BI 103 Biological Diversity and Systematics I
BI 104 Biological Diversity and Systematics II
BI 205 Genetics
Capstone Experience (3 credits)
In addition to these courses, a B.S. major must select one
course from each of the following core area pairings:
BI 312 Ecology, BI 410 Evolutionary Biology,
BI 311 Aquatic Ecosystems, or BI 317 Herpetology
BI 304 Comparative Vertebrate Morphology, BI 217 Botany,
BI 303 Developmental Biology, or BI 405 Histology
BI 335 Neurobiology, BI 204 Physiology, BI Plant Physiology,
or BI 323 Exercise Physiology
BI 404 Cell Biology, BI 430 Molecular Biology, or
BI 411 Immunology
Additional hours (11-13) must be selected from any area
within the biology curriculum except for research hours to total 45
hours in biology. In addition to the biology courses, B.S. majors
must complete two semesters of Organic Chemistry with lab (CH
223 and 225, CH 224 and 226), CH 322 Biochemistry, Quantitative
Analysis I and II (MA 125 and 126), and General Physics I and II (PY
120 and PY 115, PY 121 and PY 116). To broaden the education,
six credits of English (EN) or Writing (WR) above the 100 level are
required. Additionally, 12 non-science elective credits must be
completed in English, history, economics, business, psychology,
philosophy, fine arts, political science, or modern languages. The
remainder (9) of the 135 hours required for graduation can be
taken from any department on post. Cadets completing the B.S.
degree often complete 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.
B.A. Curriculum
Common Core Course Requirements
The B.A. curriculum is designed for those majors who require
greater flexibility in their degree requirements, including pursuit of
minors in other departments. All B.A. Biology majors are required
to complete the following courses:
BI 101 General Biology I
BI 102 General Biology II
BI 103 Biological Diversity and Systematics I
BI 104 Biological Diversity and Systematics II
BI 205 Genetics
Capstone Experience (3 credits)
In addition to these courses, a B.A. major must select one course
from each of the following core area pairings:
BI 312 Ecology, BI 410 Evolutionary Biology,
BI 311 Aquatic Ecosystems, or BI 317 Herpetology
BI 304 Comparative Vertebrate Morphology, BI 217 Botany,
BI 303 Developmental Biology, or BI 405 Histology
BI 335 Neurobiology, BI 204 Physiology, BI Plant Physiology,
or BI 323 Exercise Physiology
BI 404 Cell Biology, BI 430 Molecular Biology, or
BI 411 Immunology
Additional hours (11-13) must be selected from any area
within the biology curriculum except for research hours to total 45
hours in biology. In addition to the biology courses, B.A. majors
must complete Quantitative Analysis I and II (MA 125 and 126)
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 120 and PY 115, PY 121 and PY
116). To broaden the education, six credits of English above
the 100 level are required. Additionally, 12 non-science elective
credits must be completed in either English (EN) or Writing (WR),
history, economics, business, psychology, philosophy, fine arts,
political science, or modern languages. The remainder (9) of
the 135 hours required for graduation can be taken from any
department on post. Cadets completing the B.A. degree often
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