Program Details
Program Details
Back to top

Program Details

BS in Biology

Bachelor of Science
Hollins University

Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in Biology seeks to develop in its students a sense of independent inquiry into the processes of life. Core courses in the major provide all students with a solid foundation in the biological sciences (from cells to ecosystems), while upper-level courses, laboratories, and seminars, as well as research opportunities, give students the chance to focus on specific areas of interest in biology. Allied courses in introductory and organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics provide breadth to the degree. In addition to exploring biological concepts, classes in the biology department promote the development of oral and written communication skills, as well as critical thinking. Graduating seniors will have knowledge in biology at the introductory and advanced levels, as well as have the skills to critique the primary biological literature, utilize biological instrumentation in the laboratory and in the field, and design and carry out biological research.

Outcomes

SLO 1: Students will be able to evaluate information from the primary biological scientific literature. SLO 2: Students will be able to communicate effectively about their own research outcomes as well as facts, ideas and theories in biology. SLO 3: Students will acquire knowledge in the core areas of biology as identified by our core curriculum (ecology, human physiology, and cell and molecular biology) as well as be able to collect and analyze data utilizing the appropriate instrumentation and methodologies.


Program Overview & Guidance
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree Biology students at Hollins develop a broad understanding of life – both plant and animal. You’ll explore the organization and processes of each, from cells through organ systems to species and evolution to populations and ecosystems. If you are interested in going on to medical school, vet school, or graduate programs in the health sciences or biology, the bachelor of science degree includes the necessary courses required of most programs.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Hollins University within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree Hollins biology majors excel in graduate school, professional schools, and in the workforce. Recent careers paths include veterinarian, immunologist, microbiologist and pharmacist.
Program Successes & Highlights Hollins students have opportunities to work closely with faculty mentors to conduct meaningful research. Whether it’s a several week summer research project in Hollins’ Summer Fellows research program or a yearlong senior honors thesis, students at all stages and of all interests are able to gain valuable research experience right here at Hollins.
Program Credit Requirements
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
  • Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
  • View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs
Applicable Admissions Agreements
Expand or Shrink Accordion

There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Completion of a qualifying VCCS associate degree program will guarantee completion of the general education component of the Hollins undergraduate curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequisites needed for the major.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students earning an associate degree while in high school are not eligible for guaranteed admission programs and must complete general education courses. All courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree.
Credit for Prior Learning We accept AP and IB results for college credit if the score earned meets college expectations. Transfer credits will be considered for CLEP (College Level Examination Program) on an individual basis for examinations if Hollins offers a comparable course.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Hollins University
College Level Information
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
17
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
89% of transfer students applying for Fall 2022 were accepted. The average GPA of transfer students accepted was 3.3.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Fewer than 1,000 students. Average class size of 12. All women at the undergraduate level. On-campus housing guaranteed. Scholarship of at least $20,000 guaranteed for transfer students. Scholarship of $2,000 available for PTK members. Top majors for transfer students include business, psychology and biology. 5-year MAT program. Renowned English and creative writing program. Small community with big outcomes for students; more than 90% of recent graduates are employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at Hollins
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Virginia Community College System (VCCS) students graduating from transfer-oriented degree programs with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a four-point scale are guaranteed admission.
Where Can This Degree Transfer
Expand or Shrink Accordion
This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Eastern Mennonite UniversityBachelor of Science BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science AssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Averett UniversityBachelor of Arts in Biological SciencesBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Averett UniversityBachelor of Science in Biological SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Science in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeScience, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences in Science AssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Science - ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science Specialization in Computer ScienceAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Sweet Briar CollegeBachelor of Science in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Integrative BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Arts in Biology, Major in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Organismal and Environmental BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Science in Biology, Major in KinesiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Science, Major in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Arts, Major in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University Biology: Pre-medical BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University Biology BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University Biology: Teacher Preparation in Biology BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Richard Bland CollegeAssociate of Science-Life ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Richard Bland CollegeAssociate of Science-Clinical Lab ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in Biology EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Science in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBS in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
The University of Virginia's College at WiseBachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences, Major in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
The University of Virginia's College at WiseBachelor of Science in Natural Sciences, Major in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Science in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Mary Baldwin UniversityBachelor of Arts in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
George Mason UniversityBiology, BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
George Mason UniversityBiology, BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Science in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Science in Biology - (DNIMAS) TrackBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Science in Biology - Pre-Professional ConcentrationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Science in Biology - Pre-Professional (DNIMAS) TrackBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
William & MaryBiology - Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Old Dominion UniversityBiology-BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of Mary WashingtonBS in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of Mary WashingtonBS in Biology: Biomed. ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of Mary WashingtonBS in Biology: Cons. BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Marymount University Biology (BA)BachelorBachelor of Art4-YearIn-Person
Marymount University Biology (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Bridgewater CollegeBiology Major - BS (General Biology Track)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Bridgewater CollegeBiology Major - BS (Secondary Education Track)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Arts BiologyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Science BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Bluefield UniversityBS in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Ferrum CollegeB.S. in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Arts in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Science in BiologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityBiology, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeBiology (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeBiology (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBS in Biology - Biomedical Science EmphasisBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBS in Biology - Education EmphasisBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBS in Biology - Integrative EmphasisBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
Expand or Shrink Accordion
O*Net Code Name Description Parent
19-4012.00Agricultural TechniciansWork with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-1029.01Bioinformatics ScientistsConduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1042.00Biological Science Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-1029.00Biological Scientists, All OtherAll biological scientists not listed separately.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4021.00Biological TechniciansAssist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-1029.04BiologistsResearch or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-9121.01Clinical Research CoordinatorsPlan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.Management Occupations
19-4013.00Food Science TechniciansWork with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4092.00Forensic Science TechniciansCollect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-1029.03GeneticistsResearch and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-1099.00Life Scientists, All OtherAll life scientists not listed separately.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-1029.02Molecular and Cellular BiologistsResearch and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-9121.00Natural Sciences ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.Management Occupations
19-4012.01Precision Agriculture TechniciansApply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-2031.00Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationTeach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
11-9121.02Water Resource SpecialistsDesign or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.Management Occupations
Cost To Complete
Expand or Shrink Accordion

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 140 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at Hollins University
These costs are based on an estimated 9 semesters or 4.5 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $21,300 Per Semester $191,700 $0 $191,700 Per semester tuition for a full time status of 14 - 22 credit hours; Part-time per credit or over 22 credits -overage tuition per credit = $1331
Fees
Student Government Association Fee $150 Per Semester $1,350 0 $1,350 Per semester; Part-time and students studying abroad = $75
Technology Fee $325 Per Semester $2,925 0 $2,925 Per semester; Part-time and Non-Residential Horizon Student = $162.50
Green Fee $5 Per Semester $45 0 $45 Per semester
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.