Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology offers a broad range of courses from biochemistry and molecular biology that focus on a range of subject areas ranging from the fundamentals of genetics, development, and metabolism, to ecology, which explores interactions of organisms with their environment. The Bachelor of Science prepares students for professional careers in fields such as medicine, pharmacy optometry, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and research. Biology faculty members engage students in biomedical, environmental, and science education research.
Admission Requirements
Biology Programs Admission Process
The purpose of the Admission to the Major is to ensure that students are taking the appropriate courses to progress toward graduation with a degree in Biology. Upon acceptance to the University, a student may declare a major in Biology; however, every Biology major must be officially admitted to the major after completing 25 hours. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the major. New transfer students may be eligible to apply upon admission to UIW. Applications are completed one semester in advance of being admitted to the Biology major.
Application criteria
After completing or registering for a total of 25 hours, a student may formally apply to the Biology major. To be eligible, a student must meet the following criteria:
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2.00 minimum overall grade point average
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Complete the required courses with a grade of C or better
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Complete MATH 1304 or be exempted from MATH 1304 (see MATH department chair for requirements to meet MATH 1304 requirement)
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Complete ENGL 1311 and ENGL 1312
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Complete BIOL 1402 and BIOL 1403
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Complete CHEM 1301/CHEM 1101 and CHEM 1302/CHEM 1102
Application process
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Student makes an appointment at the Biology Advising Office to begin the admission to the major process.
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The Biology advisor reviews students' transcripts and determines eligibility.
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Student submits the application upon completion or registration for all required courses to the Biology advisor. Application is here.
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Biology advisor forwards the application to the Chair of Biology for review and approval.
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The student will be notified of the decision within thirty days of application.
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Upon acceptance, the Biology advisor assigns a faculty advisor.
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Student meets with their faculty advisor to review the Biology degree plan.
If a student is not accepted, the biology advisor will work with the student on re-application or selection of another major.
Bachelor of Science in Biology Degree Requirements
UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum
UIW core coursework is required. Review the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Here and review the degree plans for each concentration for scheduling of the core curriculum classwork. In addition, 45 Community Service hours are part of all bachelor's degree programs. See Community Service.
| UIW Core Curriculum |
| Composition and Rhetoric |
6 credit hours |
| Literature and Art |
6 credit hours |
| Science and Mathematics |
7 credit hours |
| History and Behavioral Science |
6 credit hours |
| Philosophy and Religion |
9 credit hours |
| Second Language |
6 credit hours |
| Wellness and Physical Education |
3 credit hours |
| |
43 total core credit hours |
| |
|
| Community Service |
45 clock hours (non-credit) |
Bachelor of Science in Biology Core Coursework
Supporting Coursework—Chemistry and Mathematics
Additional Coursework—Chemistry and Physics
Biology Electives
Students select 23 semester hours from these lists; at least 12 hours must be upper division.
Organismal Biology Elective Options
Additional Courses in Biology to Satisfy Electives
Any Biology course that is not specified as a requirement in this degree plan may serve as an elective. Any organismal biology course from the list above taken in addition to those used to meet the organismal biology elective component may count towards this requirement.
Pre-Medicine Concentration
The Bachelor of Science in Biology—Pre-Medicine Concentration requires a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete.
UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum
UIW core coursework is required. Review the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Here and review the degree plans for each concentration for scheduling of the core curriculum classwork. In addition, 45 Community Service hours are part of all bachelor's degree programs. See Community Service.
| UIW Core Curriculum |
| Composition and Rhetoric |
6 credit hours |
| Literature and Art |
6 credit hours |
| Science and Mathematics |
7 credit hours |
| History and Behavioral Science |
6 credit hours |
| Philosophy and Religion |
9 credit hours |
| Second Language |
6 credit hours |
| Wellness and Physical Education |
3 credit hours |
| |
43 total core credit hours |
| |
|
| Community Service |
45 clock hours (non-credit) |
Bachelor of Science in Biology Core Coursework
Supporting Coursework - Chemistry
Mathematics and Statistics
| MATH 2303 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| Or | |
| MATH 2312 | Calculus I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Biology Elective Hours
| 12 hours BIOL 3000-4999 | |
| 11 hours BIOL 1000-4999 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 23 |
Pre-Medicine Coursework
Electives
Pre-Optometry Concentration
The Bachelor of Science in Biology—Pre-Optometry Concentration requires a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete.
UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum
UIW core coursework is required. Review the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Here and review the degree plans for each concentration for scheduling of the core curriculum classwork. In addition, 45 Community Service hours are part of all bachelor's degree programs. See Community Service.
| UIW Core Curriculum |
| Composition and Rhetoric |
6 credit hours |
| Literature and Art |
6 credit hours |
| Science and Mathematics |
7 credit hours |
| History and Behavioral Science |
6 credit hours |
| Philosophy and Religion |
9 credit hours |
| Second Language |
6 credit hours |
| Wellness and Physical Education |
3 credit hours |
| |
43 total core credit hours |
| |
|
| Community Service |
45 clock hours (non-credit) |
Bachelor of Science in Biology Core Coursework
Biology Elective Hours
| 13 hours Advanced Biology Electives BIOL 3000-4999 | |
| 10 hours Biology Electives BIOL 1000-4999 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 23 |
It is recommended that students take BIOL 2321, 2121, 2322 and 2122 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs).
Mathematics and Statistics
| MATH 2303 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| Or | |
| MATH 2312 | Calculus I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Supporting Coursework - Chemistry
Supporting Coursework - Physics
Pre-Optometry Coursework
Electives