Biological Sciences

Students planning careers in biology should be intellectually motivated toward the sciences and curious about nature, but flexible enough to adapt scientific training toward many situations.

High school students are encouraged to become proficient in communication skills and be comfortable with mathematics. Computer skills should also be developed. Background in the sciences is desirable, as well as in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

With a score of four or higher on the international baccalaureate exam in high-level biology, a student receives 10 credits toward graduation and the course equivalency of general botany and general zoology.

UW-Whitewater is conveniently located at the southern end of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and has on-campus nature preserves, including woodland and prairie areas that offer biological sciences students ample opportunities for ecological field studies.

Other on-campus facilities include a solar-heated greenhouse; electron microscopes; cell biology, microbiology and histology laboratories; environmental sampling equipment and a museum with herbarium, vertebrate and invertebrate collections.

All faculty in the Biological Sciences Department hold doctoral degrees. While dedicated to teaching, they have research interests that include evolution of fish, plant physiology, avian and mammalian ecology, conservation biology, molecular genetics, cell biology, tropical and temperate plant ecology, reproductive physiology, animal development and bacterial genetics. Through these active research interests, faculty provide numerous hands-on learning experiences for students. The department has 15 full-time faculty members and about 300 biological sciences majors. No classes are taught by teaching assistants.

Biological sciences students have opportunities for gaining practical experience in a variety of areas. They may participate in a field practicum through an intern program that earns up to 9 credits toward the degree. Paid internships are available with state, federal and private agencies in field or laboratory situations.

Field experiences may also be acquired at Pigeon Lake Station in northern Wisconsin, and occasional courses are taught in Yellowstone National Park and other unique areas. Students are encouraged to participate in independent research under the direction of a faculty member.

UW-Whitewater biology students benefit from a very active chapter of the National Honorary Biological Society, Beta Beta Beta. Activities include presentations by professionals in biology, field trips, and social functions.

LOWER DIVISION

Freshman Year
English
General Biology I & II
Math requirement
Chemistry
General studies

Sophomore Year
Chemistry
Introduction to Genetics
Writing in Biology
Introduction to Cell Biology
Introduction to Ecology
General Studies

Unique requirements of the major include a writing proficiency, usually satisfied in the Writing in Biology course; either Elementary Functions or Calculus and Analytic Geometry, and one year of General Chemistry.