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Biology

The biology department provides focused studies in the biological sciences to prepare students for careers in medicine and other health professions, field work related to conservation and ecology and other technical pursuits including graduate school. Our flexible curriculum allows for specializations that match cadet interests.

Our department houses a diverse and highly qualified faculty including the post-wide pre-health advisor who guides interested cadets into the wide range of health professions.

Our faculty believe interaction in the classroom, laboratory, and on an individual basis is critical in the development of successful biology majors. Class sizes are small, laboratories accompany most courses, advising is individual, and undergraduate research is encouraged.

What you can do with a biology degree:

  • Professional schools: medical, dental, veterinary or graduate
  • Health professions: physical or occupational therapy, pharmacy, nursing, physician’s assistant, optometry
  • Other careers: forensics, laboratory or environmental technician, pharmaceutical sales, conservation or wildlife officer, military intelligence, biosecurity, science education, medical transcription, environmental or patent law
  • The possibilities are endless

Degrees and Programs

Major(s): Biology

Degree(s): 

Minor(s):

Opportunities:

  • Pre-med focus
  • Medical school partnership to allow guaranteed acceptance for qualified cadets
  • Honors in Biology
  • Summer fellowship support for undergraduate research
  • Department endowment monies for cadet research
  • Study abroad programs

Biology in the News

Find out more about the department's cadets and faculty in recent VMI news.

Andrew Kiddie ’29 and his brother rats wait outside the armory during Matriculation Week.

Cadet Uses Disability to Motivate

Determined and strong of character are two descriptors of a successful cadet at VMI, so when Andrew Kiddie ’29, who was diagnosed with deafness just before his second birthday, chose to come to arguably the hardest senior military college in the country. He used his disability as a motivator.

Cadets gather in the Greater Richmond Convention Center lobby before the start of NCUR.

Cadets Present Research at NCUR

Eighteen Virginia Military Institute cadets joined approximately 5,000 participants at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond April 13-15.