Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for CHEMISTRY

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission to University of Mary Washington

• Earn a transfer associate degree

• Earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 for your associate degree

• Earn grades of "C" or higher in all your courses for the associate degree to be eligible to transfer those credits

• Contact UMW before taking any online lab

• Create an account through www.TransferVirginia.org portal to indicate your intent to use this guarantee

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/transfer/

• Register Intent to Transfer: After the first 45 credits, submit to admit@umw.edu

• Admission Application: Apply by October 15 for spring, March 1 for summer, April 1 for fall

• Financial Aid: https://www.umw.edu/financialaid/

• FAFSA: Apply by April 1 at studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and UMW within your first year

• UMW requires proficiency in a second language. This can be satisfied by completing four years in high school, transferring credits, or completing sequence through 201 level at UMW

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• Chemistry is known as the "central science" because it connects all other sciences

• A biochemistry degree can prepare you for over 40 career fields

• Biochemists work in all job sectors, from academic jobs to government to the chemical industry

• UMW Department of Chemistry is an American Chemical Society (ACS) approved program

• Program is based upon a modern curriculum and supported by well-equipped laboratories

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Transfer students with a VCCS transferable degree have completed UMW general education requirements except second language competency, digital intensive, diverse and global perspectives, After Mary Washington, and beyond the classroom requirements

• Dual Enrollment - Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Students participating in dual enrollment are considered freshman applicants. Dual enrollment status does not affect transferability of courses

• Credit for Prior Learning: UMW accepts credit for AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge, and other qualifying coursework

• Catalog Year: Students must complete general education requirements associated with the academic year they enroll at UMW

Is This College Right For Me?

• UMW campus is gorgeous, green, and full of opportunity

• UMW is a small university in Fredericksburg, VA with small class sizes

• UMW offers high impact experiences beyond the classroom, including undergraduate research opportunities and internships

• UMW is located between Washington, DC, and Richmond, VA, in the largest technology corridor in Virginia

Did You Know That…

• UMW has a co-enrollment agreement with Germanna Community College allowing students to take up to five courses at UMW

• Completing your associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• Students must earn at least 30 credits at UMW as a degree-seeking student (not including physical education credits)

• Students must earn a GPA of 2.0 in both their major and overall coursework to complete their degree