Welcome to the Department of Biological Sciences!
We offer outstanding undergraduate and graduate training across a spectrum of research and pre-professional interest areas. We now have six undergraduate majors including marine biology, biology – One Health, and biomedical sciences. With more than 1200 majors, we are one of the largest departments on campus. Our courses include authentic research as well as work-based learning experiences throughout the curriculum.
Our undergraduate biomedical sciences program prepares students for careers in healthcare fields including medical, dental or physician assistant programs. The marine biology program includes courses in Scientific Scuba Diving and marine vertebrate conservation. The One Health concept is a newer concept that brings together the health of people, animals, and the environment.
We also have graduate programs for a MS in Biology and a PhD in Ecological Sciences plus opportunities for students in cross-campus programs including the PhD in Biomedical Sciences. Our graduate students have been successful in receiving prestigious fellowships from the National Science Foundation and the Virginia SeaGrant.
The faculty within the Department of Biological Sciences include many international experts in their field. We have experts in marine conservation biology, biomechanics of cephalopods, tick-borne diseases, wetland plants, T-cell immunology, and so much more.
Holly Gaff
Professor & Chair
Biological Sciences