Major

Biology Minor

Conservation
biology minor

Ethnobotany minor

Courses
  Biology
  Biology Educ.
  Marine Biology

Academic Standards & Policies

Areas of
emphasis

Pre-professional studies

Biology
(College of Letters and Science)
Chris Yahnke, Chair
Room 167A, College of Natural Resources Building
Phone: 715-346-2159
E-mail: biology@uwsp.edu

Web: www.uwsp.edu/biology

Faculty: K Almasi, T Barta, R Bell, D Caporale, R Crowther, V Freire, E Gasque, I Girard, C Hartleb, J Hubbard, T Huspeni, E Judziewicz, W LeGrande, R Rosenfield, D Sandhu, R Schmitz, S Sepsenwol, E Singsaas, E Stern, E Wild, C Yahnke, P Zellmer.

Definition: Biology is the study of life. From simple, single-celled bacteria to complex, multicellular plants, animals, and fungi, biologists study how life works. Genetics, physiology, ecology, evolution, behavior, and anatomy of organisms fall within the work of the biologist as does the study of populations and communities of organisms.

NOTES:

1. The biology major is the same regardless of the type of degree you earn (BA or BS) or the college from which you graduate. If you have a single major (biology), you will graduate from the College of Letters and Science. If you are in education, you may graduate from either the College of Letters and Science or from the College of Professional Studies. If you have a double major, such as biology and natural resources, you may graduate from the College of Letters and Science or the College of Natural Resources.

2. Courses in biology are open to all students who meet the prerequisites.

Biology Major
A minimum of 34 credits in biology as follows:

1. Biology 130, 160, 210, 305, 306, and 490 or 498 with seminar designation. If you complete the College of Natural Resources summer camp, do not take 306.

2. One course from Biology 281, 285, 314, 351.

3. Complete at least one course from at least two of the following course clusters.

1. One course from Biology 330, 331, 332, 337, 338, 342, 344, 346, 351, 353, 355; or two from Biology 308, 339, 345, 347.

2. One course from Biology 281, 285, 360, 361, 362, 367, 370, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 387, 388,  Water 387.

3. One course from Biology 309, 312, 314, 317, 323, 326, 333, 335, 386, 415; Chemistry 365; or both Biology 318 and 319.

4. Collateral courses: 

1. Chemistry 105 and 106, or 115 and 116.

2. Math 111 or 120 or 355.

5. Elective credits to reach a minimum of 34 biology credits. Select from additional biology courses, Chemistry 365, Water 387, 481, 483.

6. Biology majors must complete at least 12 biology credits at UW-Stevens Point.

7. At least one writing emphasis (WE) course in natural science (astronomy, biology, chemistry, geography, geology, physics) or from the College of Natural Resources is recommended but not required. Only courses that are part of the biology major will count toward the minimum of 34 credits for the major.

Biology Minor
Consists of a minimum of 22 credits:

1. Biology 130 and 160.
2. Any two of the following categories:

1. Biology 210.
2. Biology 305.
3. Biology 281, or 285, or 314, or 351.

3. Elective credits in biology (may include Chemistry 365, Water 387, 481, 483).

Academic Standards and Policies
Your status as a biology major depends on several factors.

1. If you are a new freshman and have been admitted as an approved biology major, a biology faculty member will advise you.

2. If you have not been admitted as a biology major upon initial enrollment, you may apply for admission after you complete Biology 130 and 160 with a 2.50 GPA in courses required for the biology major.

To be admitted, retained, and approved for graduation as a biology major or minor, you must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 for all courses taken within the major (2.75 to student teach in biology), including collateral courses and regardless of a declaration of academic bankruptcy. If you are a transfer student, you meet this requirement by having at least a 2.50 GPA in the total major (UWSP and transfer credits).

NOTE: No more than 6 credits of D work in biology courses will be counted toward the completion of the biology major or minor. All grades of D or F are used to compute the cumulative GPA in the major or minor. If a course is repeated, the last grade earned is the grade used in GPA calculation. Courses with grades of D or F may be repeated only if a seat is available after the regular registration period.

Teacher Certification:  Enrollment caps are in effect for those seeking teacher certification.  Please contact the Biology Department early for entrance requirements and application procedures.  Also see information about the Professional Education Program and the secondary education curriculum for teacher certification in the Education section of this catalog.

Credit-by-Exam Policy: Credit-by-exam is available for Biology 100, 101, 130, 160, 210, and 305. First, confer with the department chair about the course exam you wish to take. The exam will be prepared by a faculty member who teaches the course. You will receive credit for the course if you pass the test with a grade of 70 percent or higher. You may take an exam for credit only once.

Biology 101 Substitution Policy: If you take Biology 101 prior to 130 and 160 and receive a grade of A, you may with approval of the chair, use 101 as a substitute for either Biology 130 or 160. Other conditions apply; see the chair for additional information. NOTE: This policy applies only to biology majors and minors.

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: If you wish, you may use a score of 5 on the biology AP exam as a substitute for either Biology 130 or 160. See the chair or advising coordinator to exercise this option. If you score 3 or 4 on the AP exam, you will receive 5 credits toward graduation, but NOT toward a biology major.  Majors and minors must complete Biology 130 AND 160.

Areas of Emphasis
The areas listed below ARE NOT majors or specialties that will be listed on your transcript. These are simply ways of personalizing the required core curricular elements, collateral courses, and electives to best fit particular career goals. These are suggestions, not requirements, and should be considered as a way of selecting the most appropriate courses to satisfy both the biology major and your interests while best preparing you for a career in that area.

You should discuss your selection of options and recommended courses with the Biology Peer Assistance Center counselors and with your advisor to ensure adequate preparation for specific careers.

With the minimum requirements for a biology major most students will be able to enter a profession upon graduation. If you want to advance in your profession after employment or enter graduate school, medical school, or veterinary medicine, it will be wise to take Math 111 or 120, and 355; Physics 203 and 204; and a chemistry minor with Chemistry 365 as an elective.

NOTE: Keep in mind that employers are looking for things other than coursework when you apply for a job in the biological sciences or post-graduate training. The three most important things besides coursework are: communication skills, leadership skills, and in-field experience. Check with a Biology Peer Assistance Center counselor and your advisor to find out how you might enhance these three areas.

Aquatic Biology: Recommended: 360 or 361 or Water 387; 338, 347, 374, 375; Chemistry 220, or 325 and 326; Math 355; Physics 203, or 201 and 202; Water 481, 483. Supplementary: Biology 362; Water 389, 480, 482, 484.

Biobusiness: Take at least the following business courses: Accounting 210, Economics 210 and Business 330 and 336. In certain cases it might be appropriate to take a business minor. The following courses are recommended for the following business emphases: Horticulture: Biology 333, 335, 337, 342, 346, 351, 367; Chemistry 220 and 260; Forestry 331, 333; Soils 260. Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sales: Biology 285, 314, 333, 382; Chemistry minor with Chemistry 365 as an elective.

Biotechnology: 310, 314, 317, 318, 319, 326, 333, 490 (molecular biology), 498 (both immunology and protein purifiction); chemistry minor with Chemistry 365 as elective; Physics 203 and 204; Math 111 or 120.

Botany: Recommended: 330, 337, 338, 342, 346, 351, 355; Organic Chemistry. Supplementary: 314, 331; 333 or 355; 344, 367; Soils 260.

Ecology/Environmental: Recommended: 281 or 351; 342, 355, 360, 372, 375; Modules in Ecology; Chemistry 220; Math 355; Geography 379; CIS 102. Supplementary: English 254; Geography 101; Math 111; Physics 203, or 201 and 202; Political Science 304; Philosophy 380.

Education: Recommended: 281 or 285; 330 or 342; 314 or 333 or 351. Supplementary: 355 or 384, 385, 386; 360, 367 or 372. You need a faculty advisor in biology AND one in education.

Graduate Work/Research: Most graduate programs in biology require a chemistry minor with Chemistry 365 as the elective, Physics 203 and 204, and Math 111 or 120, and 355.

Microbiology: Recommended: 314; 333, 335 or 337, 415, 498 (Immunology). Supplementary: 338, 362, 399; Math 355; chemistry minor.

Natural History: Recommended: 322, 342, 361, 367, 372, 379. Supplementary: 339, 399; Geology 101; Geography 101; Natural Resources 368, 369.

Zoo and Aquaria: Biology 281, 362, 370, 372 (4 cr) or one of the vertebrate courses: 374, 376, 377 or 378; 382, 385, 386, 388 and 499 (internship).

Zoology: Recommended: 281; 311 or 314; 370 or 371; 344 or 361 or 362 or 367; 372 or 374 or 375 or 376 or 377 or 378. Supplementary: 310, 320, 322, 373, 381, 385, 388; Water 481; Geology 339.

Preprofessional:

Although not required, we advise students in all preprofessional areas to get a bachelor of science degree before entering a professional school. All areas listed below require Biology 160, English, humanities, psychology, and speech. Contact the appropriate preprofessional advisor for suggested electives and requirements as early as possible.

Prechiropractic: At least 90 credits to include Biology 285, 333, 387; Chemistry 114, 115, 116, 325, 326, 328; Physics 203 and 204 (or a substitute); English 101 and 102; Psychology 110. Grades must be C or above. A bachelor’s degree is required to practice in Wisconsin and many other states.

Predental: Biology 285; Chemistry 114, 115, 116 (or 105 and 106), 325, 326, 328; Physics 203, 204; additional helpful courses: Biology 210, 314, 317, 333, 370; Psychology 260 or 315.

Premedical: Biology 160, 210, 285; Chemistry 114, 115, 116, (or 105 and 106), 325, 326, 328; Physics 203 and 204; Math (2 semesters) 111 or 120 or 355. Additional helpful courses: Biology 314, 333, 370, 382, 498 (immunology); Chemistry 365 or 260.

Premortuary: A minimum of 28 credits including Accounting 210; one year of chemistry; Math 100.

Preoptometry: Normally, at least 90 credits including: Biology 160, 210, 317, 333; Chemistry 105 and 106 (or 115 and 116), 325, 326, 328; Math 111 and 355; Physics 203, 204; additional recommended courses are Biology 285, 387; Chemistry 365; Psychology 110, 260.

Prephysician’s Assistant: Biology 160, 285, 333, 387; Chemistry 105/106, 220, 260; Psychology 110; Math 100.

Preveterinary: Biology 160, 210; chemistry minor with Chemistry 365 as the elective; Physics 203 and 204; Math 111 or 120, or 355; freshman English; 6 credits of social science and humanities; additional helpful courses include Biology 281 or 285, 333, 362, and 388. If you are considering veterinary research, take at least some of Biology 310, 314, 317, 382, 433, and 498 (both immunology and recombinant DNA laboratory).