Program Details
Program Details
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Bachelor of Arts
Roanoke College
Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts in Biology
Roanoke College
The Biology Department at Roanoke College offers a diverse course of study that complements the college's broadly-based liberal arts curricular core. The Department's curriculum is designed to expose students to important areas in modern biology with contemporary ideas and concepts placed in historical perspective. In addition to the development of a base of knowledge in biological science, students are encouraged to develop the skills that will be required whatever career path is taken beyond the undergraduate level. We offer both a BA and BS Major in the program.
Outcomes
We want you to build a solid foundation of knowledge in the field and develop your ability to "do" biology—to ask questions, propose hypotheses, conduct experiments, analyze data and draw logical conclusions. Through your interactions with faculty and your peers (whether in the classroom, the lab, or the field), you'll acquire the information and skills necessary to be successful in whatever career path you take beyond the undergraduate level.
Program Overview & Guidance
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | Are you curious about the world around you? Do you want to figure out what makes living organisms tick? Do you have strong logic and analytical skills? Biology builds off of existing information to make new discoveries to better understand the world around us. If you are interested in organisms and their environments or in genetics and cell structure, there is a place for you in Biology. There is a wide range of career options, including health care, agriculture, resource management, veterinary sciences and research for people with a Biology degree. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes There are many ways you can gain firsthand experiences that will give you an edge in graduate school, professional school or the work force. They include participating in undergraduate research with a faculty mentor, working as a student assistant for laboratory courses, and participating in internships with medical professionals and businesses in the area. The study of Biology is integrated with other scientific disciplines. To prepare students for careers in biology, our curriculum requires courses in Chemistry (2), Physics (1), Math (1) and Statistics (1). |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Useful choices for transfer credit: two or more semesters of majors-level Biology courses with lab, two semesters of general Chemistry with lab and Statistics. Transferring some foreign language courses will help students finish that college requirement faster.
|
| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Students are able to customize their Biology degree to make them competitive for the next level of their career. Opportunities for research with faculty, internships to explore career options, and hands-on laboratory experiences that support discovery enhance the classroom experience. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | Students participate in faculty-led research programs. These experiences can include publication, conference presentations and senior thesis. Student workers can gain valuable work experience as tutors, teaching assistants or research assistants through work study positions. Career fields can be explored through our flexible internship programs, both in the Roanoke Valley and elsewhere. The Biology Club is a student organization open to all students interested in Biology. Membership in Tri Beta, the National Biological Honor Society is an option for high achieving students. |
Program Credit Requirements
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:
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.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Roanoke College and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Courses completed as part of an associate's degree or general education certificate will be evaluated by our Registrar at admission, and appropriate transfer credits will be awarded. Nearly all general education requirements can be completed with transfer credits. Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university taken as dual enrollment while in high school will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. Up to three additional World Language courses can satisfy the language requirement. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | In general, Roanoke does not offer credit for prior learning outside of higher education coursework. Military training transcripted by an accredited institution of higher education is accepted. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
Number of Transfer Students
90
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
The average enrolled transfer student has a college transfer GPA of 3.12, and 58% of transfer applicants are admitted.
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Roanoke has about 2000 students, mostly undergraduates. Classes are small, averaging 17 students, with a real commitment to teaching and supporting students. Expect close personal interactions with faculty and staff members who get to know you. Active athletic and recreational opportunities are part of the college as are a wide range of student clubs and activities. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. VCCS transfer students may choose a catalog from the two years prior to their first term of attendance if desired. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year for freshmen is determined by first semester of attendance. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Expected transfer students should notify the admissions office as soon as possible, so we can provide advice on courses which will transfer. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in Science | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science Specialization in Computer Science | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Science-Life Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Randolph-Macon College | Biology (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Biology (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Science, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Science Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Averett University | Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Hollins University | BA in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Hollins University | BS in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Science in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Integrative Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Major in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Organismal and Environmental Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Kinesiology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Biology: Pre-medical BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Biology BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Biology: Teacher Preparation in Biology BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Science-Clinical Lab Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Radford University | BS in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences, Major in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences, Major in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Science in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Mary Baldwin University | Bachelor of Arts in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Biology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Biology, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Biology - (DNIMAS) Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Biology - Pre-Professional Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Biology - Pre-Professional (DNIMAS) Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| William & Mary | Biology - Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Biology-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Mary Washington | BS in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Mary Washington | BS in Biology: Biomed. Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Mary Washington | BS in Biology: Cons. Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Marymount University | Biology (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Art | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Marymount University | Biology (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bridgewater College | Biology Major - BS (General Biology Track) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bridgewater College | Biology Major - BS (Secondary Education Track) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Arts Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Science Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bluefield University | BS in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph College | Bachelor of Science in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Biology, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BS in Biology - Biomedical Science Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BS in Biology - Education Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BS in Biology - Integrative Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19-1029.01 | Bioinformatics Scientists | Conduct 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 |
| 25-1042.00 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach 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 |
| 19-1029.00 | Biological Scientists, All Other | All biological scientists not listed separately. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-1029.04 | Biologists | Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-1029.03 | Geneticists | Research 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 |
| 19-1029.02 | Molecular and Cellular Biologists | Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-4021.00 | Biological Technicians | Assist 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 |
| 11-9121.01 | Clinical Research Coordinators | Plan, 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 |
| 11-9121.00 | Natural Sciences Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9121.02 | Water Resource Specialists | Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues. | Management Occupations |
| 29-9092.00 | Genetic Counselors | Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
| 19-1013.00 | Soil and Plant Scientists | Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-4012.00 | Agricultural Technicians | Work 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 |
| 19-4013.00 | Food Science Technicians | Work 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 |
| 19-4092.00 | Forensic Science Technicians | Collect, 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 |
| 19-1099.00 | Life Scientists, All Other | All life scientists not listed separately. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-4012.01 | Precision Agriculture Technicians | Apply 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 |
| 25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete