DISTINGUISHED MAJORS PROGRAM
The Distinguished Majors program in the Department of Biology is a research oriented program that provides students the opportunity to conduct a significant body of independent research culminating in a formal written thesis and oral presentation at the end of the spring semester. Students also participate in a weekly seminar where they discuss recent advances in biology, attend biology seminars and interact with seminar speakers, explore the philosophy and practice of science, and learn skills in oral and written research presentation. Students may choose research mentors from the Biology faculty, from selected laboratories in the UVA medical center from in other laboratories conducting biologically related research.
2012 Katz Undergraduate Research Symposium award recipients, left to right:
Sarah Kim (2nd-prize co-recipient), Kirsti Campbell (first prize recipient), Dr. Jay Hirsh (Chairman of the DMP Advisory Committee), Alexandra "Sasha" Scott (2nd prize co-recipient), and Niloofar Latifi (2nd prize co-recipient)
REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETING THE DISTINGUISHED MAJOR IN BIOLOGY
1. Demonstrated evidence of a serious commitment to research as evidenced by exceptional performance inBiologyIndependent Research, BIOL 4911-4918. Students may enroll in additional semesters of independent research in accordance with Biology undergraduate degree policies (University of Virginia Undergraduate Record/Biology).
Distinguished Major candidates conducting independent research in the Biology department should enroll in BIOL491x using the faculty mentor's instructor number. Candidates working with faculty members outside of Biology should enroll using the instructor number of the Director of Biology Independent Research (Professor R. Kretsinger). Grading will be determined by the Director of Independent Research based on the recommendation of the student's research mentor.
2. All DMP candidates must attain a minimum GPA of 3.400 overall in the University. DMP candidates pursuing a B.A. degree must attain a 3.400 GPA in the 22 credit hours presented for the B.A. degree, exclusive of grades in BIOL 4810 and 4820. DMP candidates pursuing a B.S. degree must attain a 3.400 GPA in the 33 credit hours presented for the B.S. degree. BA/DMP students will require a total of 27 hours.
3. Completion of 27 credit hours of Biology courses (or approved equivalent) at or above the 3000 level for the BA/DMP; completion of 33 such credit hours for the BS/DMP.
4. Successful completion of BIOL 4810/4820, Seminar in Biological Research.
5. Completion of a written DMP Thesis and an oral presentation of the research project at the Richard D. Katz Undergraduate Research Symposium. The Katz Symposium is held at the end of the Spring term and gives DMP candidates an opportunity to present their research findings to Biology students and faculty. The DMP thesis and Katz Symposium presentations will be evaluated by the Undergraduate Committee. On the basis of these evaluations the Undergraduate Committee will recommend to the Chairman and Faculty of the Biology Department that one of the following degrees be awarded:
1) without distinction
2) with distinction
3) with high distinction, or
4) with highest distinction
The decision of the Biology faculty regarding each candidate will be forwarded to the Committee on Special Programs and to the University Registrar at least ten days before commencement. Students will be notified of their degree status by email prior to commencement.
ELIGIBILITY and APPLICATION
Application to the Biology Distinguished Majors Program can be made at the end of the 2nd or 3rd year. Applicants should have a serious commitment to research, with completion of at least one semester of Biology Independent Study (Biol 4911) and an overall grade point averageof 3.400 after completion of at least three semesters of 3000 or above Biology including at least one Biology Core class (Biol 3000, 3010, 3020). Earlier application may be made in exceptional cases. Applications for the DMP should be made to the Director of the Distinguished Majors Program, Jay Hirsh. during the spring term for the following fall semester. Applications should contain a brief (two page maximum) description of research experience and the proposed research project, and must be accompanied by a written endorsement of the project by the proposed research mentor. An overall GPA of 3.400 is required by UVA for graduation with distinction, but research potential will be a major consideration for admission to this program. For students initiating a research project during the summer prior to their fourth year, application at the end of the summer will be considered.
The deadline for receipt of applications to the 2012-13 Biology Distinguished Majors Program will be Friday, April 13th. For students initiating a research program during the summer, applications are due Friday, August 17th.
Please note that you may apply as a rising 3rd year student if you have initiated a research project.
DISTINGUISHED MAJOR PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Jay Hirsh, Chair
Laura Galloway, Committee Member
Sarah Kucenas, Committee Member