Biology - Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Emphasis Requirements (BA/BS)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements - 40 units 1 | ||
| BIOLOGY 141 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY I | 5 |
| BIOLOGY 142 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY II | 5 |
| BIOLOGY 190 | BIOLOGY FORUM | 1 |
| BIOLOGY 251 | INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS | 4 |
| BIOLOGY 257 | INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY | 3 |
| BIOLOGY 446 | ORGANIC EVOLUTION | 4 |
| Select 0-3 units from: | 0-3 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO CELL BIOLOGY | ||
| Select at least 2 units from: | 2 | |
| BIOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY METHODS I | ||
| ECOLOGICAL FIELD METHODS | ||
| Select 0-6 units from: | 0-6 | |
| FIELD BOTANY | ||
| ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE IN NATIONAL PARKS | ||
| TRAVEL STUDY | ||
| INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGY | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY | ||
or BIOLOGY 498R | INDEPENDENT STUDY - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH | |
| Select at least 3 units from: | 3 | |
| BIRDING IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN | ||
| THE PLANT KINGDOM | ||
| PLANT TAXONOMY | ||
| AQUATIC PLANT BIOLOGY | ||
| INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY | ||
| VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY | ||
| INTRODUCTORY ENTOMOLOGY | ||
| At least one course from: | 2-4 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE | ||
| BIRDING IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN | ||
| COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY | ||
| THE PLANT KINGDOM | ||
| PLANT TAXONOMY | ||
| CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | ||
| AQUATIC PLANT BIOLOGY | ||
| AQUATIC BIOLOGY | ||
| INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY | ||
| VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY | ||
| ANIMAL BEHAVIOR | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY | ||
| BIOINFORMATICS | ||
| INTRODUCTORY ENTOMOLOGY | ||
| WILDLIFE ECOLOGY | ||
| COMMUNITY ECOLOGY | ||
| Select additional units of Biology electives above 300 (except for BIOLOGY 303, BIOLOGY 493, BIOLOGY 498 and BIOLOGY 498R) to total 40 units in the major | 0 | |
| Total Units | 40 | |
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Unique and Writing Requirements | ||
| BIOLOGY 303 | BIOSTATISTICS | 3-4 |
| or PSYCH 215 | BASIC STATISTICAL METHODS | |
| CHEM 102 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I | 5 |
| CHEM 104 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II | 5 |
| Select one additional CHEM course 200+ | 2-5 | |
| Select one from: | 4-7 | |
| COLLEGE ALGEBRA and TRIGONOMETRY | ||
| PRECALCULUS | ||
| CALCULUS FOR BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | ||
| APPLIED CALCULUS SURVEY FOR BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | ||
| Select one from: | 3 | |
| WRITING IN BIOLOGY | ||
or PWP 371 | WRITING IN THE SCIENCES | |
| One of the following is highly recommended: | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS I and PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS II | ||
| PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS I and PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS II | ||
| Total Units | 22-29 | |
- 1
An approved minor is required for this major.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| ENGLISH 101 | 3 | ENGLISH 102 | 3 |
| MATH 142 | 4 | MATH 151 | 3 |
| CHEM 102 | 5 | BIOLOGY 141 | 5 |
| CORE 130 | 3 | CHEM 104 | 5 |
| INTRAUNV 104 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| BIOLOGY 142 | 5 | BIOLOGY 257 | 3 |
| Chemistry Course Numbered Above 200 | 3 | BIOLOGY 258 or 254 | 2 |
| CORE 140 or 120 | 3 | BIOLOGY 303 or PSYCH 215 | 3-4 |
| COMM 110 | 3 | U.S. Racial/Ethnic Diversity Course (DV) | 3 |
| PEGNRL 192 | 1 | CORE 110 | 3 |
| 15 | 14-15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| BIOLOGY 251 | 4 | BIOLOGY 446 | 4 |
| BIOLOGY 315, 351, 353, 359, 375, 380, or 450 | 2-3 | Applied Learning Biology 354, 491, 493, 498, 498R | 0-6 |
| BIOLOGY 200 or PWP 371 | 3 | CORE 390 | 3 |
| BIOLOGY 190 | 1 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| 13-14 | 13-19 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| Ecology, Evolution, Behavior Major Elective | 2-4 | Biology Elective(s) To Reach 40 Units In Major | 1-6 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Behavior Major Elective | 2-4 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | General Education Elective (If Needed) | 1-3 |
| General Education Elective (If Needed) | 3 | Electives To Total 120 (If Needed) | 0-6 |
| 13-17 | 8-21 | ||
| Total Units: 108-133 | |||
The curriculum in the biology major is somewhat flexible in that there are some required sequences and it allows students to move through other coursework in many ways. This four-year plan illustrates one possible path a student could take to complete a degree in four years. This is not an official document and is not the only way that a biology degree can be completed in four years. Current students should refer to their individual degree audit for specific graduation requirements. Courses in bold indicate major-based coursework that is completed in the first year.
Notes: The math and English courses you will take during your first year will depend on exam scores (ACT or SAT sub-scores, or UW System placement exam). This four-year plan reflects the math and English courses most common for students in this major. All students are encouraged to provide test scores prior to attending a Warhawks SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration). Opportunities: Joining a university-sponsored club and actively participating is strongly encouraged. Involvement in a club or activity will help you develop interpersonal skills, give you the opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills, and adds to your resume. Some clubs that may be of particular interest to students with a Biology major include: Gardening Club, GeoEnvi, Outdoor Adventure Club, Students Allied for a Green Earth (SAGE), Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Club, and Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society.
Notes: Biology 258 Field Experience is taught as an 8-week course within the semester, the first 8-week session in the fall and the second 8-week session in the spring to maximize time outdoors when the weather is expected to be more temperate. By completing the requirements of the Biology major, students complete the Bachelor of Science degree requirements. Students who place out of precalculus will need to earn credit in an additional math or computer science course to satisfy the BS degree requirements. Students are encouraged to start thinking about selecting a minor in the second year. Common minors selected include: Environmental Studies, Chemistry, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). While these minors are common among Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior majors, you can choose from over 100 options that include Criminology, Spanish, Political Science, and more.
Opportunities: Undergraduate research is highly recommended for students who have an interest in attending graduate school in the future. Completing a directed research project with a faculty mentor has many benefits: it develops a student’s critical thinking and writing abilities; signals to graduate school programs that a student is prepared for independent research of their own; and it can provide a student with financial support since many undergraduate research opportunities are paid.
Notes: There are several course options to choose from within the major to include: Invertebrate Zoology, Entomology, Wildlife Ecology, Community Ecology, Plant Taxonomy, Aquatic Plant Biology, and Environmental Toxicology. All students must earn 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree and all requirements in this program can be completed in fewer than 120 credits. Most students have the opportunity to choose additional courses in the fourth year to expand skills, explore interests, or try something new. Opportunities: LSINDP 399: Career Information in Letters and Sciences is a 1-credit course that focuses on: career and graduate school opportunities; identifying skills, strengths, and work values; creating effective job search materials; developing a networking strategy; and planning for a successful post-graduation transition. Planning for Graduation: Students are encouraged to apply for graduation one full semester prior to their intended graduation date. Information about commencement is on the Registrar’s Office website (http://www.uww.edu/registrar/graduation) and the application for graduation is available to students in the WINS Student Information System.