Students can fulfill the Beyond the Classroom requirement through several options as described in the course catalogue and online. Options include but are not limited to: completing specific courses designated as Beyond the Classroom, participating in an approved study abroad program, completing faculty approved internships, and participating in faculty approved community service projects.
Students should note that the Beyond the Classroom requirement for general education does not need to be specifically linked to your major. However, students interested in completing the EL requirement with a focus on biology can choose from the following:
- URES 197 (Undergraduate Research) – available to biology majors and non-majors.
- Any of the approved biological sciences study abroad experiences. Current options include:
- BIOL 424 – Tropical Ecology – spring semester course focusing on studying characteristics, uses, and problems associated with selected tropical ecosystems. Includes a week-long field trip during spring break to Panama, Guatemala, Puerto Rico or other tropical locality. Typically offered in odd numbered years.
- BIOL 471 – Ecology and Evolution of the Galapagos- spring semester course focusing on studying the ecology and evolution of the Galapagos Islands. Includes a week-long field trip during spring break to the Galapagos. Typically offered in even numbered years.
- BIOL 499 (Internship) – Junior or Senior biology majors
- BIOL 491 (Special Problems in Biology) – Junior or Senior biology majors
- BIOL 000 (Biology Service Learning) – declared biology majors ONLY.
- BIOL 000, the Biology Service Learning option, requires students to apply knowledge and skills acquired in their formal courses and to reflect upon how such application has augmented their education. BIOL 000 projects include: completing a community service project, working as a teaching assistant, participating the the Summer Science Institute, working as a student athletic training aide, or conducting a community wellness project with the UMW Health Center.
- Students wanting to fulfill the Beyond the Classroom requirement via BIOL 000 should contact the BIOL 000 coordinator – Michael Stebar – and complete the necessary contract BEFORE starting the project. Contracts identify the agencies with which the students conduct their service, describe the duties they will perform, and indicate the biology faculty member(s) who will evaluate the academic component of their activities. Students should contact Mr. Stebar to discuss BIOL 000 and obtain a copy of the relevant contract. Contract options include
- Community Volunteer/Service-Learning Contract
- Teaching Assistant Contract
- Summer Science Institute Contract
- Student Athletic Training Aide Contract
- Health/Wellness Project Contract
- Students must complete 40 hours of service within 12 months of submitting their contracts.