Major & Minor
Biology
A tremendously diverse subject, biology is a natural science discipline that studies living things, such as the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of animals, plants, and ecosystems.
About the Biology Major
Students in the biology program receive a fundamental, broad-based education in the life sciences, which provides a rich understanding of the natural world and solid preparation for any biology-related field. With small class sizes, professors devote personal attention and mentoring to each student, and you will have opportunities for lab and field work in the local area and the Appalachian Mountains, which is home to a wide diversity of plants and animal species.
Within the biology major, you can choose a focused specialty, such as studying genetics, fossils, fungi, bugs, and biotechnology. Upon graduation, you will have a strong academic foundation to begin your career, attend graduate school, or to be accepted into pre-med, pre-dental, and other health-related programs.
Learning Outcomes
What you’ll learn in the Biology major:
- Understanding of molecular/cellular, genetic, organismal, and ecological principles of biology, including historical perspectives and current trends.
- Strong critical thinking skills in evaluation of experimental design and in the interpretation of experimental results.
- Laboratory skills in the areas of experimental procedure and use of equipment.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
Career Opportunities
There is a wide array of potential careers with a biology degree, including jobs in genetics, teaching, research, and more depending on your personal and professional goals. Learn where a career in biology can take you.
- Nurse
- Physician
- Veterinarian
- Biologist
- Teacher
Getting started in the Biology Major
Follow these simple steps below to get a head start in the Biology Major today
Contact Your Advisor
Get in touch with New tab, Opens Bio of: Professor Jared Lee to discuss your interests and goals
Enroll
Enroll in courses recommended by your advisor
Declare
Turn in a completed PDFDeclare Major Form to the Registrar’s Office
Questions? Contact the Registrar at emailregistrar@svu.edu.
Biology Faculty
Jared Lee
Associate Professor of Biology; Biology Program Coordinator; Math and Natural Sciences Division Chair
Richard Gardner
Professor of Biology
Samuel Hirt
Associate Professor of Biology; Associate Provost
In the News
Professor Gardner Mentors Students in Project Editing Yeast Genes with CRISPR
Taking higher education to the next level as members of the Honors Program, seniors and biochemistry majors Emma Miller, Jaden Nelson, Clayton Tacker, and Janna Tidwell are diving deep into the scientific process for their honors thesis project—changing the color of yeast from green to red using the gene editing tool CRISPR.
Link to news articleRead More
Alumni Success
Eryn Pawluk (’21)
Pursing a master’s degree at the Yale School of Public Health; specializing in epidemiology of microbial diseases with a primary focus on environmental infectious diseases
Link to News articleEryn’s Story
In the News
Biology Teacher Licensure Track Introduced
Southern Virginia University’s teacher licensure program recently announced its introduction of a new biology track beginning in Fall 2021. In this track, students can earn their license to teach biology or other science courses—one of the most in-demand teaching positions nationwide.
Link to news articleRead More