Biology

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:

• Pre-Health
• Environmental Studies
• Marine Science

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.

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.

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.

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.

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