One of the most popular majors at Hampden-Sydney, the biology program provides students with extensive training in biology and is specifically designed to prepare its students for careers and graduate education in the biological sciences. Its uniquely structured curriculum ensures that all biology majors receive in-depth coverage of this broad discipline allowing them to tie together distinct sub-disciplines within the field. Students are better prepared to make informed decisions about the field and career they wish to pursue.

Degree Offerings

Anybody can hand out a textbook and go through a Powerpoint, but that wouldn't make a good teacher. I want my students to learn how to think and not just answer questions, but know how to ask the right questions.

Dr. Alex Werth, Professor of Biology

Curriculum

While most undergraduate biology programs require a two-semester introductory biology sequence at the 100-level, all Hampden-Sydney biology majors will complete a single-semester, 100-level Principles of Biology lecture and laboratory course that introduces students to basic concepts. These foundations in biology are further explored in three semesters of lecture/laboratory courses at the 200-level in Genetics & Cell Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Ecology.The Biology Department offers a wide range of advanced coursework, and biology majors may personalize the remaining course requirements within their major to allow for in-depth study of topics that will best prepare them for graduate programs and careers in their area of interest, including:

Biology Course Catalogue

Student Research

Hampden-Sydney is uniquely positioned to encourage student research. Biology majors work closely with faculty performing both course-based and independent research in the lab and in the field. They are addressing exciting questions in biology, including cancer biology/immunology, virus prevalence/pathogenicity in reptiles, whale physiology, invasive plant species, neurobiology, and genomic characterization of bacteriophages, while also honing their critical thinking and oral/written communication skills, ultimately making them more successful upon graduation.

Biology Research

Facilities

A brand new state-of-the-art science facility, Pauley Science Center launches the future of the sciences at Hampden-Sydney College. The facility includes state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, equipment, and interactive spaces to support first-class science teaching, research, and scholarly activity.

Pauley Science Center

Cooperative Programs

Eastern Virginia Medical School Joint Program (BS/MD)
Through an agreement with Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), outstanding premedical students may gain assurance early in their college careers of admission into medical school. Each year the EVMS Admissions Committee, in consultation with Hampden-Sydney's Health Sciences Committee, selects a small number of rising sophomores for a program that assures participants admission to EVMS upon satisfactory completion of their undergraduate studies at Hampden- Sydney. Although these students are assured of admission, they are not obligated to attend EVMS upon graduation from Hampden-Sydney. For more information, students should contact the Chair of the Health Sciences Committee early in their freshman year.

Lynchburg College Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Students who meet certain GPA requirements and work with Hampden-Sydney's Health Sciences Advisory Committee are eligible for guaranteed admission in the Lynchburg College's DPT program.

The Mary Baldwin University Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences, Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Through an agreement with Mary Baldwin University, Hampden-Sydney College students will have the opportunity to secure guaranteed admission to the Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences graduate programs in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Each of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Programs will guarantee admission
to one suitably-qualified Hampden-Sydney student who meets pre- specified criteria set forth by the graduate programs. For more information, interested students should contact the Chair of the Health Sciences Advisory Committee.

The Virginia Commonwealth University School Of Medicine, Early Selection Program
Through an agreement with Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, two outstanding premedical students may be selected at the end of their sophomore year to enter the medical school at VCU once they have completed the requirements for graduation from Hampden-Sydney College. The program also encourages selected students to choose from among the wide variety of courses in the liberal arts and sciences offered at Hampden-Sydney and relieves them of the stress associated with application to medical school. Although these students are assured of admission, they are not obligated to attend VCU upon graduation from Hampden-Sydney. Admission to VCU Medical School is contingent on the student's receiving the national average score on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). For more information, interested students should contact the Chair of the Health Sciences Committee early in their freshman year.

Unique Opportunities

Biology majors may personalize the remaining course requirements within their major to allow for in-depth study of topics that will best prepare them for graduate programs and careers in their field of interest.

Unique Offerings

 

Biology Department Blog


The biology department's blog will keep you posted on classroom events, faculty and student research, and intriguing advances from all sides of biology.

H-SC Biology Blog

Journal of the Sciences


Hampden-Sydney's very own science publication, the Journal of the Sciences, showcases undergraduate scientific work taking place on our campus in the Divisions of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Journal of the Sciences

“Ranny” Chitwood, Jr. '68

Dr. Walter Randolph “Ranny” Chitwood, Jr. ’68 is truly a jack of all trades, and he has mastered quite a few. A pioneering heart surgeon, talented photographer, master angler, antiquarian bibliophile, and ham radio operator, Dr. Chitwood finds insight and inspiration from myriad places and experiences.

Walter Randolph “Ranny” Chitwood, Jr. ’68

Biology Department


Dr. Michael J. Wolyniak, Chair
McGavacks Professor of Biology, Director of Undergraduate Research
Pauley, 220
Hampden-Sydney College | Hampden Sydney, VA 23943
mwolyniak@hsc.edu
(434) 223-6175

Biology Department Professors
information icon