Biology FAQ
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Is Biology the best major for me if I want to go to medical school?
There are many routes that one may take to go to medical school and you should take any major that you like. Most medical schools require that you take many specific science courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. All of these sciences are tested on the MCAT, and all of them are required for a Biology degree. For this reason, the majority of pre-med students choose a Biology degree.
This graph shows the numbers of students from different majors who were accepted at the West Virginia School of Medicine from 2001 to 2011.
What is the difference between the B.A. and B.S. degrees in biology?
The B.S. provides a more science-intensive experience. The B.S. degree requires 20 hours of biology electives.
The B.A. degree provides more opportunities for liberal arts courses and has a 4-semester foreign language requirement. The B.A. requires 14 hours of biology electives.
Both are suitable for applying to post-graduate educational programs, including medical school, dental school and graduate school.
What do I need to do to get into medical, dental, or another professional school?
Work hard! Any type of professional school will look at:
- Your overall GPA
- Your science GPA
- The rigor of your courses (try to take at least 16-17 hours per semester)
- Life experiences, including community service, leadership, participation in college organizations, and participation in research
Medical schools in particular like to see that you have taken courses such as Comparative Anatomy, Animal Physiology, Advanced Cell and Molecular, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Microanatomy (Histology)
Can I major in biology and still study abroad in my junior or senior year?
Yes. It helps to plan ahead so speak with your advisor and the WVU Office of International Programs.
How can I get involved in research?
The best way to get involved is to express your interest in research to someone with whom you may want to work with. This may be a faculty member in Biology but some students work in other departments, including in the Davis College or Health Sciences. If you don’t know who you might be interested in working with, check out the Biology Faculty Research Areas. Don’t be intimidated to go talk to faculty about your interest. Independent research classes include Biol 386 and Biol 486. Some students volunteer to work in someone’s lab to get a foot in the door. There are also many summer research opportunities at WVU, including paid research internships.