UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010

College of Letters and Science

Biological Sciences

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  • College of Letters and Science
  • Biological Sciences

• Course of Study: Major
• Course of Study: Minor
• Related Areas of Study
• Courses: Biological Sciences (BIO SCI)
• Courses: Conservation and Environmental Science (CES)
• Faculty

Courses in the biological sciences are intended for students with an interest in biology or planning careers in the health professions. These courses fulfill the requirements for School of Education students who plan to teach in the area of biology. They also are of interest to students from other major fields who want to learn more about the natural world, biotechnology, or their own bodies and personal health.

The Department offers two majors: a general biological sciences major and a microbiology major.

Course of Study: Biological Sciences Major

The biological sciences major provides a strong foundation in all areas of biology and the natural sciences. The program provides course and laboratory opportunities in evolution, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, behavioral sciences, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, physiology, developmental biology, neurobiology, and biotechnology. Curricula can be tailored to fit the unique interests and professional goals of the student. The department provides the basic knowledge necessary for entrance into a variety of careers related to biology, the biomedical health professions, biotechnology, and preparation for graduate studies in biology and related natural sciences.

The biological sciences major requires a minimum of 34 credits in biology, of which 26 credits must be taken at the advanced (300 and above) level, with at least 15 of those advanced credits taken in residence at UWM. Students must complete at least 18 credits in laboratory courses. No more than 8 credits in 100-level courses in biological sciences may be applied toward the major, and students may not combine 150, 202, and 203 for more than 9 credits toward the major. Students must maintain an average GPA of 2.5 in biological sciences courses attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all major credits attempted, including transfer work.

Additionally, one semester of college mathematics (at the level of Math 105 for a Bachelor of Arts or Math 211, 221, 225/226, or 231 [calculus] for a Bachelor of Science), one year of physics lecture (Physics 120 and 122 or equivalent), one semester of physics lab (121 or above), and either the introductory survey of organic chemistry with lab (Chem 341, 342) or the two-semester organic sequence with one lab (Chem 343, 344, 345) are required. Students who plan to attend graduate or professional schools are advised strongly to take the one-year sequence of organic chemistry with lab, a course in biochemistry, and two semesters of calculus.

The following biological science courses are required:

Research Requirement: one of Bio Sci 611, 670, 671, or CES 490 (a senior seminar); Honors 686, 687, or 689 (Honors research, project, or thesis); or Bio Sci 698 or 699 (independent study).

Electives to reach a total of 26 upper division credits and 18 credits in laboratory courses.

Within the biological sciences major, it is possible to concentrate on a particular area of biology, such as plant or animal science, molecular biology, animal physiology, ecology, evolution, or environmental biology. Prospective biological science majors are requested to consult with a faculty advisor as early as possible, preferably before the beginning of the junior year, in order to outline an appropriate course of study. A list of faculty advisors related to a student’s area of interest is available in the Biological Sciences Department office or on the department’s home page (www.uwm.edu/Dept/Biology). All students should consult their advisor at least once each semester.

Course of Study: Microbiology Major

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms such as bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses. Microorganisms were the first living things on earth, and they remain the most abundant and the most diverse of all organisms. Microorganisms cause diseases of plants, animals, and humans. They play critical roles in biogeochemical cycles and bioremediation, and they also are important in the food and biotechnology industries. Studies of microorganisms resulted in the birth of the exciting field of molecular biology and continue to be a driving force behind developments in this field. The major in microbiology prepares students for entrance into a variety of careers in the fields of microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, and health-related professions and for graduate and professional studies in these areas.

The major in microbiology requires a minimum of 35 credits in microbiology; the required and elective courses in Bio Sci, Chem 501, and C L Sci 534, 535, 539, and 540 count as "microbiology" courses for this purpose. At least 15 credits of advanced (300 and above) microbiology courses must be taken in residence at UWM. Students must maintain an average GPA of 2.5 in microbiology courses attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all major credits attempted, including transfer work. The following courses are required:

Required Microbiology Courses

Elective Microbiology Courses: students must take a minimum of 6 credits from among the following courses.

¹ Only Bio Sci 699 or Honors 686, 687, or 689 projects that are determined by the student's microbiology faculty advisor to have microbiology content count toward the major.

²Students may elect to take these C L Sci courses to earn credit toward the microbiology major option provided that they earn 30 credits in Natural Sciences within the College of Letters and Science, as required for the B.S. degree.

Other Required Courses

Prospective microbiology majors should consult with a faculty advisor as early as possible, preferably before the beginning of the junior year, in order to outline an appropriate course of study. A list of faculty advisors in microbiology is available in the Biological Sciences Department office or on the department's home page (www.uwm.edu/Dept/Biology). Students should consult their advisor at least once each semester.

Honors in the Major

Students in biological sciences who meet all of the following criteria are awarded honors in the major upon graduation:

Students who believe they may qualify for honors in biological sciences should apply to the Department during their last semester of study.

Course of Study: Minor

A minor in biological sciences may be a useful addition to the programs of students majoring in other natural or clinical sciences. The minor consists of 19 credits in biological sciences including 150 and 152 (or equivalent). The 11 additional credits must be in courses that carry credit toward the major. At least 9 credits must be taken at or above the 300 level in residence at UWM and at least one course must be a laboratory course at the 300 level or above. Students must maintain an average GPA of 2.5 in courses attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all minor courses attempted, including transfer work.

Crosslisted Courses

The following courses offered by other departments may be used to fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate major and minor in biological sciences.

Related Areas of Study

The Conservation and Environmental Science major is an alternative, interdisciplinary program for students with specific interests in conservation or environmental science (see Interdepartmental Majors, College of Letters and Science).

For the Pre-Forestry (Wildlife Management) curriculum, see the Pre-Professional Programs section (College of Letters and Science).

Pigeon Lake Field Station is a natural laboratory sponsored by the 14 campuses of the University of Wisconsin System, located in the Chequamegon National Forest, 30 miles from Lake Superior in Northern Wisconsin’s Bayfield County. Pigeon Lake Field Station offers summer programs in a variety of disciplines, including biology. Work completed at Pigeon Lake is credited as resident study by UWM. For additional information, contact the Biological Sciences Department office.

The UWM Field Station is an area of almost 2,500 acres devoted to the study of natural history and biology. Located about 25 miles north of campus on the Cedarburg Bog in the Town of Saukville, the Station includes a wide variety of natural areas ranging from old-growth forest to acid bog and several lakes. Many biological sciences courses use the Field Station for instruction and to provide hands-on research opportunities. The Field Station provides internship and independent study opportunities for biology students; it also offers short courses for credit through the department. For additional information, contact the Biological Sciences Department office.

John Berges, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of British Columbia

Arthur S. Brooks, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Mary Lynne Perille Collins, Prof., Ph.D.
Rutgers University

Russell Cuhel, Adjunct Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Peter Dunn, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Alberta

Charles Fink, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Connecticut

Geoffrey S. Kennedy, Assoc. Prof. Emeritus

J. Val Klump, Adjunct Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of North Carolina

Sergei Kuchin, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Institute of Genetics (Moscow)

Emily Latch, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Purdue University

Gyaneshwar Prasad, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India

Rafael Rodríguez, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Kansas

Craig Sandgren, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D., Chair
University of Washington

Colin Scanes, Prof., Ph.D., D.Sc
University of Wales, Hull University
Dean, Graduate School
Vice Chancellor, Research

Douglas Steeber, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison

W. Carl Taylor, Adjunct Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Southern Illinois University

Ava Udvadia, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Duke University

Ching-Hong Yang, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of California at Riverside

Erica Young, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Monash University (Melbourne, Australia)

Dazhong Zhao, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Chinese Academy of Science