Outstanding facilities, innovative faculty members and a nationally recognized undergraduate research program make the Biology Department an excellent choice for students interested in a career in the life sciences. Students with training in the biological sciences will be among those who will contribute significantly toward solving critical problems facing the world today, such as environmental challenges and health improvements.
Hands-on learning is at the heart of the department. Most courses feature a laboratory or field work component. Students are able to collaborate with faculty members on research projects with the possibility of co-authoring articles in national scientific publications. A variety of internship opportunities are also available, ranging from biotechnology to veterinary sites, and from local to national locations. The department offers an annual field course to Yellowstone National Park in August, as well as other locales.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in on-campus organizations including Beta Beta Beta (national biological honor society), Pre-Health Club, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Club.
UW-Whitewater has agreements with Deakin University in Australia and the Palmer College of Chiropractic.
Majors/Emphases
Students may elect one of seven eight emphases in the Biological Sciences major. The Cell/Physiology and Ecology/Evolution/Behavior (EEB) emphases are appropriate for students planning to pursue a career or post-graduate training in those fields. The EEB emphasis includes natural resource regulation, conservation and environmental studies, while the Cell/Physiology emphasis focuses on human and animal physiology and applied biotechnology skills. The Marine Biology and Freshwater Ecology emphasis provides students with three years of training locally, followed by one year at Deakin University in Australia. The Early Entrance Pre-Professional emphasis is designed for students to complete 3 years locally and then transfer to a health professions program to complete their training; at this time, this emphasis serves students participating in the articulation agreement between UW-Whitewater and Palmer College of Chiropractic. The Pre-Biomedical Professions emphasis was initially designed for students planning to attend medical, veterinary, or dental schools; it is also suitable for students interested in allied health professions (physician assistant, physical therapist, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, optometrist, podiatrist, chiropractor, athletic trainer, exercise physiologist, cytotechnologist, etc.). There is also an emphasis with training in biology and education (the BSE in Biology); students considering a career in teaching may also earn a degree in Biological Sciences and pursue licensure separately. Students planning to attend graduate school are also encouraged to consider the Honors emphasis.