Feature Story
Southern Virginia University Announces First Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology
President Aaron Hale and the President’s Council are pleased to announce that beginning in the Fall 2026 semester, Southern Virginia University will offer a bachelor of science (BS) degree in biology. This marks the university’s transition into offering bachelor of science degrees alongside its traditional bachelor of arts (BA) programs.
“At Southern Virginia University, we are committed to expanding academic opportunities that prepare our students for successful careers and rigorous graduate study,” said President Hale. “The launch of our new bachelor of science in biology is a landmark milestone for our institution. It recognizes the heavy, technical coursework our science students are already accomplishing and gives them a competitive, highly recognizable credential as they apply to medical schools, health programs, and STEM careers across the country.”
Designed for students pursuing pre-health tracks, graduate school, or technical scientific careers, the new 59-credit-hour major streamlines the prerequisites into a single, cohesive pathway. Previously, many pre-med students would major in biochemistry and add a pre-health concentration to cover necessary requirements.
“For years, our students were already taking a bachelor of science workload, but their diploma reflected a bachelor of arts,” said Professor of Biology Jared Lee, who led the program’s creation. “This degree acknowledges that extra effort. It reduces student anxiety about missing prerequisite classes for professional schools, eliminates the need to jump through extra scheduling hoops, and gives them a degree that is instantly recognizable in STEM fields.”
The existing BA in biology will remain available, offering flexibility for students who wish to double-major or pursue careers in education or broader liberal arts fields. The new BS degree will provide a direct, comprehensive option for students seeking intensive scientific preparation.
“We’ve talked about offering a bachelor of science for several years now because we knew it would provide the rigor our pre-professional students need,” said Professor of Biochemistry Roger Johnson. “Part of the liberal arts tradition has always included the sciences. Having a dedicated BS pathway gives our majors an option that directly matches their ambitions while keeping the supportive, student-centered environment that defines SVU.”
Students interested in pursuing a bachelor of science degree in biology should reach out to the program coordinator Professor of Biology Richard Gardner at richard.gardner@svu.edu. The Registrar’s Office is also available at registrar@svu.edu for additional information, including declaring the program as their major and enrolling in the program’s courses. Program requirements are published in the university catalog.