Marine Biology
About the Program
The Marine Biology and Freshwater Ecology emphasis is an area of concentration available to UW-Whitewater students who major in biology. Student interest in aquatic systems can be fostered through this very unique collaborative program with UW-Whitewater and Deakin University of Australia. Students will spend their first three years of college gaining the necessary coursework and skills to spend their senior year at Deakin University's campus in Warrnambool, Australia.
Accreditation
The programs in biological sciences leading to teacher certification are approved by the Department of Public Instruction. The College of Letters and Sciences is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. concentration by choosing among many electives. The city of Warrnambool is a beautiful coastal town located on the spectacular Great Ocean Road and is a major commercial, cultural and educational center for southwest Victoria. The city and surrounding area are also a major summer tourist resort destination, with miles of wonderful beaches and headlands.
Career Opportunities
Students graduating with this emphasis will have a wide variety of career opportunities such as marine biologist, water resource manager, graduate school, aquarist, natural resource technician, toxicology, and environmental assessment personnel just to name a few.
Facilities
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, environmental chambers, sampling equipment and a museum with herbarium, vertebrate and invertebrate collections.
The Warrnambool campus specializes in Marine Biology and Freshwater studies. The University is set on the banks of the Hopkins River and is one of the most modern campuses in Australia. Students will be allowed to focus their area of 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.
Faculty
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.
High School Preparation
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 highlevel biology, a student receives 10 credits toward graduation and the course equivalency of general botany and general zoology.
Internship Opportunities
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
Student Organizations
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.
Suggested Course of Study
LOWER DIVISION
Freshman Year
Biology I
Plant Focus Biology II
Animal Focus
Introductory Chemistry I, II
Elementary Functions
Freshman English
The Twelve Apostles as viewed from Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia, near Deakin University's Warrnambool campus. Marine Biology and Freshwater Ecology students will spend their senior year in Warrnambool as part of a unique collaborative program with the two universities.
Sophomore Year
Physics Genetics
Organic Chemistry
Ecology
Water Resources
English
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 Inorganic Chemistry.
UW - Whitewater