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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): 

Concentration(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.

The Peay scholars include Justin Peterson ’24, a civil engineering major from Bristow, Virginia; Courtney Novotny ’25, a biology major from Reading, Pennsylvania; Patrick Simmons ’25, an international studies major from Quantico, Virginia; Julia Ward ’26, an electrical and computer engineering major from Frankfort, Illinois; Barrett Callejo ’27, a biology major from Springboro, Ohio; William Cockr

Peay Scholars Celebrated

Brig. Gen. Robert W. Moreschi honored seven exceptional cadets at VMI who are recipients of the prestigious Peay Merit Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to cadets who demonstrate exceptional leadership, academic excellence, athletic commitment, and an interest in national service.

Josh Cheung presents his senior thesis during VMI's honors week.

Honors Thesis Questions, 'Is God a Vegetarian?'

What does the Bible say about what we should eat? That is the question Josh Cheung ’24, a Â鶹ŮÑÝÔ± Institute cadet double majoring in English and biology, sought to answer in his honors thesis, “Is God a Vegetarian?”

VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders