Freshmen considering a major in biology should first complete BOTH BIOL 121-122 and CHEM 111-112 during their first year.  Both of these year-long sequences are prerequisites for the sophomore biology major courses:  Biol 211 (Cellular Biology), Biol 210 (Introduction to Ecology), and Biol 341 (General Genetics).  These three sophomore courses are in turn prerequisites (in some combination) for nearly all other upper-level biology courses.  BIOL 121 and CHEM 111 are offered in the fall semester, and BIOL 122 and CHEM 112 are offered in the spring semester.  Both sequences (BIOL 121-122 and CHEM 111-112) are offered during the summer as well. 

Your first fall semester schedule should consist of a total of 14 - 17 credits.  While you are permitted to take as few as 12 credits, we do not recommend it.  A typical 14 credit fall semester for freshmen planning on majoring on biology should look something like this: 

The following spring semester schedule should look something like this: 

Many freshmen choose to take more than 14 credits in their first fall and /or spring semester.  It is a personal decision.

Please view this recommended timetable for biology majors.

Here is a list of informative resources that will help freshmen planning on majoring in biology.

• The UMW Freshman Academic Planning Guide for Biology 
• The UMW Freshman Academic Planning Guide (Home)