Choosing a college biology program means looking past marketing brochures to find concrete course structures, actual faculty mentorship models, and undergraduate research opportunities. At Washington and Lee University, the biology curriculum operates within a liberal arts framework. This structure pairs rigorous laboratory work with quantitative methods and interdisciplinary electives, preparing students for medical school, graduate studies, or environmental careers.
If you're evaluating this specific program, you need to know how the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees differ, what hands-on research vehicles exist, and how coursework aligns with pre-health requirements. Here is a clear breakdown of what the Washington and Lee biology department offers.
Degree Tracks: Bachelor of Arts vs. Bachelor of Science
Students choose between a B.A. and a B.S. depending on their career goals and desired depth in collateral sciences like chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) track offers more flexibility within the liberal arts curriculum. It requires foundational biology courses alongside upper-level electives, leaving room for double majoring or studying abroad without overloading your semester schedule.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) track demands greater quantitative and chemical depth. It incorporates extensive coursework in general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and computational tools such as data science or scientific computing. This track suits students aiming for direct entry into research-intensive graduate programs or biotechnology industries where technical computational skills are mandatory.
Both pathways begin with core courses that establish evolutionary, molecular, and ecological principles before branching into specialized sub-disciplines.
Core Curriculum and Sub-Discipline Focus Areas
The curriculum moves from broad foundational principles to specialized upper-level electives. Introductory requirements typically feature courses like Fundamentals of Biology and Genetics, paired with mandatory lab components.
To ensure breadth, upper-level courses are divided into distinct thematic clusters:
- Molecules and Cells: Covers cell biology, biochemistry, and neural imaging. These courses examine biological systems at microscopic and molecular scales.
- Ecology and Evolution: Explores aquatic ecology, field ornithology, animal behavior, and tropical ecology, often utilizing field studies.
- Structure and Function: Focuses on animal physiology, vertebrate endocrinology, reproductive physiology, and plant functional biology.
- Quantitative Biology: Bridges biological data collection with mathematical modeling, bioinspired design, and ecological modeling.
This modular design lets students tailor their schedules while maintaining a balanced foundation across distinct scales of biological organization.
Undergraduate Research Vehicles
One distinguishing feature of the department is that faculty members collaborate exclusively with undergraduate students. There are no graduate students competing for lab space or mentorship. Students access research through five distinct vehicles:
- Directed Individual Study (BIO 401-403): Literature-based or small investigative projects supervised by a faculty member.
- Directed Individual Research (BIO 422-424): Hands-on bench or field research where students execute original experiments.
- Honors Thesis (BIO 492-496): A year-long, independent research project culminating in a written thesis and oral defense.
- Summer Research Scholars Program: A funded, full-time summer program allowing students to work directly alongside faculty scientists. You can review current projects through the Washington and Lee Biology Department.
- HHMI Research Fellows Program: A multi-year structured research fellowship providing sustained funding and mentorship.
Faculty labs tackle diverse topics, from the molecular mechanics of spider silk synthesis to the neurobiological and physiological effects of diet-induced obesity and the gut-brain connection.
Preparing for Pre-Health and Professional Pathways
A significant percentage of biology majors plan to enter medical, dental, veterinary, or allied health professions. Washington and Lee supports these trajectories through structured advising and specific course mapping.
Pre-health tracks require careful coordination with the W&L Health Professions Program. Meeting standard medical school prerequisites means pairing your biology major with general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. Because liberal arts schedules require deliberate planning, advisors help students fit these science prerequisites alongside humanities and social science competencies without missing application milestones.
Beyond human medicine, the department supports conservation and ecological fieldwork through partnerships like the Duke Marine Lab Program, giving students hands-on marine science experience off-campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study abroad as a biology major at Washington and Lee?
Yes. Many students complete semester or spring term abroad programs, including field-based ecology programs in Panama or partnership programs in Scotland, such as the St. Andrews-W&L partnership. Planning your course sequence early with your faculty advisor makes this seamless.
Are teaching assistants running undergraduate labs?
No. Laboratory sections at Washington and Lee are taught directly by faculty members or qualified instructional staff, ensuring that students receive direct supervision during experimental procedures and equipment training.
Do I need prior research experience to join a faculty lab?
No prior experience is necessary. Most students begin by taking introductory courses, building relationships with professors during office hours, and applying for Directed Individual Study or Summer Research Scholars positions during their sophomore or junior years.
