Majors, Minors, and Programs

Just an hour from Washington, D.C., UMW is a small school with growing diversity and passionate master teachers. Our liberal arts and sciences curriculum – with more than 60 majors, minors, and courses of study – will challenge your mind and let you explore.

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Biomedical Sciences

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This major provides discipline-specific knowledge required for students to pursue graduate programs in the health sciences. It provides a thorough foundation in biology’s fundamental principles including organism function, cell biology, genetics, physiology, and the research process. Command of these core concepts is necessary for students to understand complex biological problems and to apply their knowledge to health-related problems. Four health-related natural science electives are required so that students can develop a strong understanding of the basis of human health. Additionally, students must choose one course on societal perspectives on health that will expose them to a variety of health care concerns and provide a framework to understand and have empathy for their patients.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in Biomedical Sciences who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology.

Career Opportunities

The Biomedical Sciences major is designed for students pursuing a career in the any of the many health professions. The major provides students with the knowledge and the skills to be successful candidates for graduate study in a broad range of health-related fields including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy, or any of the many health sciences careers.

Internships

UMW biomedical sciences majors may qualify for paid internships through the Commonwealth STEM Industry Internship Program. The Department of Biology helps students learn about and apply for internships in the fields of research, medicine, zoology, botany, and ecology. Students also may find internships with museums in the Fredericksburg area or in nearby Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Honors

To receive honors in biomedical sciences, you must have a 3.0 grade-point average overall and 3.25 in the major. You’ll complete a research project, write an honors thesis, and deliver an oral presentation to department faculty.

Requirements

The biomedical sciences major requires 40 credits, including five required courses, four health-related sciences courses, one societal-perspectives-on-health course, and a required senior seminar.

This is stuff we still need to figure out how to treat

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Special Majors

Students also have the option to design a special major that combines courses from two or more academic disciplines into a coherent plan of study. Special majors are developed with a faculty advisor and approved by a curriculum committee. Examples of some of the special majors UMW students have developed are journalism, digital media studies, Italian studies, linguistics, biochemistry, communication, arts management, and Latin American studies.

Honors Program

The undergraduate Honors Program offers advanced students the opportunity to engage in rigorous honors designated coursework, interdisciplinary seminars, strong internship experiences, extended research and creative projects, and community service as part of a supportive community of learners.

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