Department of Biological Sciences-UWM

Undergraduate Advising Packet
Declaration of Major in Biological Sciences
Student must complete the core biology curriculum (BioSci 150,152 and 260 or equivalent) and a minimum of 45 degree credits before declaring the major. Students are also expected to have completed the natural science course of Chem 102,104 and Math 105 or equivalent. A student's failure to initiate and complete the declaration of major process before 75 credits have been earned may result in a delay of graduation. Students should regularly consult with an advisor in the College of Letters and Sciences and should seek advice in biology for specific information on the major.

Major Credits
    30 Credit Minimum in departmental courses to include:
      1. No more than 8 credits in 100 level courses.
      2. 150* and 152 (or equivalent) (Foundations in Biological Sciences I and II)
      3. 260 (Genetics)
      4. 15 credits in 300 or above level courses
      5. 18 credits in courses with laboratories**
      6. 1 credit senior seminar (includes 670, 380, 611 or Environmental Studies 490)
      7. Three or more credits in courses in each area***:
        a. Plant Biology
        b. Animal Biology
        c. Molecular Biology and Microbiology
        d. Environmental and Evolutionary Biology
Additional Course Requirements
    1. Chemistry through 341-342 or 343-344-345
    2. Physics 120 and 122, or equivalent and either 121 or 123
    3. Math 105 (Intermediate Algebra) for BA degree
        Math 211 or Math 225 and 226 or 231 (Calculus) for BS degree.
Students planning to attend graduate school or professional programs are strongly advised to take Chem 343-344-345, both physics labs, and a year of calculus.

A total of 120 degree credits is required for a Bachelor of Science degree, including at least 36 credits in upper-division courses (numbered 300 or above) offered by the College of Letters and Science. For the Bachelor of Science degree, at least 30 of these 36 credits must be from natural sciences curricular areas. There is no limit to the number of credits which may be taken in one department.

Students must complete 150, 152 and 260 or their equivalents before declaring a major in biological sciences. The major should be declared after 45 credits. Students should check their L&S college requirements with the advisors in Holton Hall.

Suggested Course Sequence
Freshman year
    Bio Sci-150, 152, Foundations of Biological Sciences I and II
    Chem-102,104 General Chemistry(Math 105 must be completed before chemistry is started)
    Math requirements (Math 105 or above); L&S Electives (humanities, social sciences, etc.)

Sophomore year
    Bio Sci-260, Genetics
    Biological distribution credits (Plant****, Environmental/Ecology****)
    Chem-341-342 or Chem-343, 344, 345, Organic Chemistry; Electives

Junior year

    754-120, 122 and one semester of Physics lab (normally 121 or 123)
    Biology distribution requirements (Molecular/Microbiology****, Animal****), Electives

Senior year
    Biology distribution requirements (if not completed), Biology electives, other electives.

*May not be combined with 204-202, 203 for more than a total of 9 cr. toward the major.
**Credits for both lecture and lab courses count toward the 18 credits required in lab courses if both are taken (401/402, 455/457, 512/513, 523/524, 525/526, 553/554).
***A single course may not be counted for more than one area; designation attached.
****Recommended distribution courses include: Ecology 310; Mol/Micro 303 or 470; Plant 333, 407 or 500; Animal 301, 320, 330,and 350.

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Last Modified: June 28, 1999
Thomas P. Schuck