The University of Virginia's College at Wise

The minimum requirement for admission to most schools of medicine is ninety (90) semester hours of academic courses, although completion of the curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree is encouraged. Courses in general and organic chemistry, biology, physics, and English are required but concentration in the sciences is not essential. Medicine is concerned with a variety of social and community problems and a broad cultural background is considered desirable. Pre-medical studies for each student should be planned in keeping with individual interests. Development of an efficient method of study and habit of reasoning is more important than the selection of subjects. Requirements may be met with the programs leading to baccalaureate degrees in natural sciences, social sciences, or humanities. Students interested in becoming physicians, veterinarians, or dentists should contact Dr. Tucker as early as possible for specific advice on preparatory programs, required courses and examinations, and application procedures for professional schools.

The first two years of six-year programs leading to pharmacy degrees may be taken at UVa's College at Wise. A plan of study appropriate for students planning to transfer to the School of Pharmacy of the Medical College of Virginia is listed below. Students interested in other schools should consult specific requirements of those schools and be advised that admission to schools of pharmacy is competitive.

BIOL 103 Principles of Biology (3) or
- BIOL 102 Principles of Biology
BIOL 113 Principles of Biology Laboratory (1) or
- BIOL 112 Principles of Biology Laboratory
BIOL 104 Introduction to Biological Diversity (3) or
- BIOL 101 Introduction to Biology
BIOL 114 Introduction to Biological Diversity Laboratory (1) or
- BIOL 111 Introduction to Biology Laboratory
CHEM 101 College Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 111 College Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
CHEM 102 College Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 112 College Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
CHEM 301 Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 308 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2)
CHEM 302 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 309 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (2)
ECON 205 Microeconomic Principles (3)
ENGL 101 Composition I (3)
ENGL 102 Composition II (3)
MATH 103 Pre-calculus (3)
MATH 204 Calculus I (4)
MATH 208 Elementary Probability and Statistics (4)
PHYS 101 Introduction to Physics I (3)
PHYS 211 General Physics Laboratory I (1)
PHYS 102 Introduction to Physics II (3)
PHYS 212 General Physics Laboratory II (1)
COMM 100 Public Speaking (3)
Electives not to include natural sciences, business, or physical education (15)

Traditionally, physical therapy programs have required at least two years of preparation which may be completed at UVa's College at Wise, and two years at a professional school, to complete a bachelor's degree in physical therapy. A recent trend, exemplified by the Medical College of Virginia, requires three years of preparation and three years of professional school work, resulting in a Master's degree in physical therapy. The suggested three year plan of study listed below is designed for the MCV program. Students should consult Dr. Woodard about the schools to which they plan to apply for specific requirements, and be advised that admission to physical therapy programs is highly competitive.

BIOL 103 Principles of Biology (3) or
- BIOL 102 Principles of Biology
BIOL 113 Principles of Biology Laboratory (1) or
- BIOL 112 Principles of Biology Laboratory
BIOL 104 Introduction to Biological Diversity (3) or
- BIOL 101 Introduction to Biology
BIOL 114 Introduction to Biological Diversity Laboratory (1) or
- BIOL 111 Introduction to Biology Laboratory
BIOL 374 Animal Physiology (5)
CHEM 101 College Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 111 College Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
CHEM 102 College Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 112 College Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
ENGL 101 Composition I (3)
ENGL 102 Composition II (3)
MATH 103 Pre-calculus (3)
MATH 204 Calculus I (4)
MATH 208 Elementary Probability and Statistics (4)
PHYS 101 Introduction to Physics I (3)
PHYS 211 General Physics Laboratory I (1)
PHYS 102 Introduction to Physics II (3)
PHYS 212 General Physics Laboratory II (1)
PSYC 110 Introduction to Psychology (3)
Physical Education activity course(s) (2)
Humanities Electives (6)
Psychology Electives (3)
Social Science Electives (6)
General Electives† (29-30)

† Students are encouraged to select general electives from the following categories: computer science, embryology, histology, human anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, foreign languages, and courses in physical education which deal with and analytical approach to human movement or motor learning.

Our faculty are engaged in research that depends upon the participation of students and we actively encourage students at all academic levels to become involved. Studies during the past decade show that students with undergaraduate research experience are more likely to be accepted by and do well in graduate and professional schools across the nation. The opportunities for such research experience are much greater at UVa Wise because of our faculty to student ratio. We believe it is one of our greatest assets.

We have members of the department working on slime molds, tropical plant extracts, transcription factors, reptiles and amphibians, molluscs, environmental geochemistry of mining, and more. We use both traditional and modern techniques to answer questions and have state-of-the-art equipment at our disposal. Please contact us as early as possible in your UVa Wise career so that you may choose a project that works on questions of interest to you.

Much of our research occurs in the summers and students interested in working with us during this time can apply for a Fellowship In the Natural Sciences (FINS). The FINS program is both highly competitive and rewarding, allowing students to work with individual faculty throughout the summer. Information about the program and an application are available here or you may contact Brenda Whitaker in the Natural Sciences office.

Experience in your field of study is a very important part of your undergraduate training in the sciences. Most students realize that getting into a graduate or professional program requires experience and most jobs require it. But experience is often confusing and elusive (i.e., how can you obtain experience when you need experience to get your first position?). Internships are the answer. An internship is a formal, preprofessional fieldwork experience in an area in which you have gained some theoretical competence, usually through coursework in your academic major or concentration.

Internships are available throughout the world in almost any field imaginable. You can find internship opportunities just by intelligently surfing the web and we encourage you to do this early and often. Many students at UVa Wise find very rewarding internships on their own through such measures. This page is designed simply to let you know that internships are an important part of your undergraduate experience - you should use them to find out what you do not like as well as what you do. The following is a list meant to get you started in your search by showing you a few possibilities and letting you see what some of our students have found in the past.

The Biology Program at the University of Virginia's College at Wise is pleased to award graduation with honors to students who distinguish themselves in research. To earn honors, students must submit a contract for research in biology and fulfill all requirements of the contract to the satisfaction of the Biology Program at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. Additional information about this program and an official contract may be obtained from Brenda Whitaker in the Natural Sciences office.

Although research topics are limited solely by your imagination, we do have individual research interests. If any of the following areas of interest sound exciting, feel free to contact that person to discuss ideas. Alternatively, if you have your own ideas for a research project, please contact us to discuss possible experimental designs.

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Fellowship in the Natural Sciences (FINS) provides research opportunities to students during their college careers. Students gain practical experience in modern scientific research techniques by pursuing answers to contemporary questions under the direction of a member of the natural sciences faculty. Faculty sponsors serve as mentors, role models, and advisors. Individual projects support the goals of a research program that is of high scientific merit yet are appropriate for undergraduate research. Successful applicants are encouraged to submit a proposal for graduation “With Research Honors” in the respective field of study.

In addition to traditional Research Fellowships, the Healthy Appalachia Institute (HAI) Fellowship is geared specifically to students who are interested in the health professions. In 2009, the selected student will work with a faculty mentor at UVa-Wise and health professionals at the University of Virginia on diabetes, a significant health problem in Southwest Virginia. The selected student will conduct a literature review on diabetes in rural regions; identify potential best practice models in rural diabetes outreach; collect and refine data on diabetes in the region; complete field experiences with the Health Wagon and the Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic; and shadow health professionals in diabetes education at the Virginia Center for Diabetes at the University of Virginia Health System. See below for links to more information regarding these institutions.

FINS Program
c/o Brenda Whitaker
Department of Natural Sciences
University of Virginia's College at Wise
Wise, VA 24293