Advanced Placement in Biology

Entering students interested in receiving academic credit and/or advanced placement for college-level work completed before enrolling at William & Mary should take the College Board Advanced Placement Examination. Credit earned through the advanced placement program may be applied toward degree requirements.

The policy for advanced credit in Introductory Biology, which was implemented in Fall 2022, awards 8 credits of lecture and lab credit for a score of 5 or higher on the AP Biology or IB Biology examination. These 8 credits are distributed as follows: BIOL 203 (3 credits), BIOL 203L (1 credit), BIOL 204 (3 credits), and BIOL 204L (1 credit).

If you have concerns about the strength of your pre–William & Mary biology background, consult your pre-major advisor or the Chair of Biology, Dr. Matthias Leu, to discuss which biology course would be the best starting point for you. Pre-medical and pre-dental students should consult with the Chief Health Professions Advisor, Dr. Beverly Sher. If you feel you would benefit from retaking either BIOL 203/203L or BIOL 204/204L, or both, at William & Mary, it is possible to petition to revoke AP/IB credits through The Advising Center.

Our experience is that, when students are well informed about the advantages and disadvantages of their options, they choose wisely for themselves.

If you began your college career at William & Mary before Fall 2022 and earned a 5 on the AP Biology exam (or an equivalent score on the IB exam), you may request that the biology elective credit and zero-credit Introductory Biology exemptions you received under the previous Biology Department policy be converted into credit for BIOL 203, 203L, 204, and 204L, consistent with the new Biology Department policy (provided you did not take these courses at William & Mary). Email the Chair of Biology, Dr. Matthias Leu, who will work with the Registrar’s Office to make the change for you.