Biology—Bachelor of Arts

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Website: Department of Biology

College/School: School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering

Application: Apply to the Bachelor of Arts in Biology program

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology offers a broad range of courses from biochemistry and molecular biology that focus on subject areas ranging from the fundamentals of genetics, development, and metabolism, to ecology, which explores interactions of organisms with their environment.  Biology faculty members engage students in biomedical, environmental, and science education research. The Bachelor of Arts in Biology prepares students for careers in teaching, environmental sciences, and other professions requiring a strong science degree.

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:

1. 2.00 minimum overall grade point average

2. Complete the required courses with a grade of C or better

3. Complete MATH 1304 or be exempted from MATH 1304 (see MATH department chair for requirements to meet MATH 1304 requirement)

4. Complete ENGL 1311 and ENGL 1312

5. Complete BIOL 1402 and BIOL 1403

6. Complete CHEM 1301/CHEM 1101 and CHEM 1302/CHEM 1102

Application process

1. Student makes an appointment at the Biology Advising Office to begin the admission to the major process.

2. The Biology advisor reviews students' transcripts and determines eligibility.

3. Student submits the application upon completion or registration for all required courses to the Biology advisor. Application is here.

4. Biology advisor forwards the application to the Chair of Biology for review and approval.

5. The student will be notified of the decision within thirty days of application.

6. Upon acceptance, the Biology advisor assigns a faculty advisor.

7. 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 Arts 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 Arts in Biology Core Coursework

BIOL 1402	General Biology I for Majors and Laboratory	4
BIOL 1403	General Biology II for Majors and Laboratory	4
BIOL 3202	Research Methods in Cell and Molecular Genetics	2
BIOL 3311	Cell Biology	3
BIOL 3442	Ecology and Laboratory	4
BIOL 3361	Genetics	3
Total Credit Hours:		20

 

Supporting Coursework—Chemistry and Mathematics

CHEM 1301	Chemical Principles I	3
CHEM 1101	Chemical Principles I Lab	1
CHEM 1302	Chemical Principles II	3
CHEM 1102	Chemical Principles II Lab	1
	and
MATH 1311	Precalculus	3
	or
MATH 2303	Introduction to Probability and Statistics	3
Total Credit Hours:		11

Supporting Coursework—Other Departments

Eight hours of coursework can be a combination of any additional courses in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, Meteorology, or Physics.

Total Credit Hours:

8

Biology Electives

 Students select 15 semester hours from these lists; at least 12 hours must be upper division.

Total Credit Hours:

15

 

Organismal Biology Elective Options

BIOL 2321	Anatomy and Physiology I	3
BIOL 2121	Anatomy and Physiology I Lab	1
	And
BIOL 2322	Anatomy and Physiology II	3
BIOL 2122	Anatomy and Physiology II Lab	1
BIOL 3430	Animal Physiology	4
BIOL 4320	Neurobiology	3
BIOL 4420	Vertebrate Zoology and Lab	4
BIOL 4430	Animal Behavior and Laboratory	4
BIOL 4450	Entomology	4

 

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.