Biology

Karin Bodensteiner, Chair
Room 302, Chemistry Biology Building (CBB)
Phone: 715-346-4524
Email: biology@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/biology

This department is in the College of Letters and Science .

Faculty: S Alger, B Barringer, T Barta, R Bell, K Bodensteiner, J Bray, D Caporale, L Dresang, A Driver, V Freire, D Graf, B Graham, J Hardy, C Hartleb, J Hubbard, T Huspeni, A Impullitti, T Lentz, S Pimm Lyon, S Orlofske, T Patituci, M Rogge, R Rosenfield, N Shefferly, J Sipiorski, K Slemmons, M Steury, Q Sun, C Yahnke, P Zani.

Definition: Biology is the scientific study of life. From simple, single-celled bacteria to complex, multicellular plants, animals, and fungi, biologists study how life works. Genetics, anatomy, physiology, development, ecology, evolution, and behavior of organisms fall within the work of the biologist as does the study of populations and communities of organisms.

Notes for Biology:

The biology major offers a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Letters and Science. However, if you are accepted in the Education program, you may graduate from either the College of Letters and Science or from the College of Professional Studies. If you have a double major, such as biology and natural resources, you may graduate from the College of Letters and Science or the College of Natural Resources.
Courses in biology are open to all students who meet the prerequisites.

Aquaculture/Fish Culture Minor

Chris Hartleb, Coordinator
Room 442, Trainer Natural Resources Building
Phone: 715-346-3228
Email: chartleb@uwsp.edu

Description: Aquaculture is the discipline that studies the culture of finfish, methods of production, environmental and ecological manipulation and assessment, selective breeding, nutrition, diseases, processing, marketing and operation of culture facilities. The importance of aquaculture has increased as natural stocks of fish have declined and human consumption has continued to rise.

Aquaponic Certificate Program

Chris Hartleb, Coordinator
Room 442, Trainer Natural Resources Building
Phone: 715-346-3228
Email: chartleb@uwsp.edu

The Aquaponic Certificate is awarded upon successful culmination of a series of courses that center on professional and scientific competence and proficiency in the field of aquaponics. Valued by hobbyists, home food producers, farmer’s market growers, educators, social organizers and commercial producers, it substantiates your expertise in aquaponics to address a broad range of production and application issues. Program participants will acquire abilities to scientifically understand the roles of water, bacteria, plants and fish in a sustainable, integrated, controlled environment, food production system. Participants such as college students, life-long learners, and those seeking workforce training may complete the course requirements. Contact the program coordinator, Department of Biology, or Continuing Education and Outreach for more information about the program.

Academic Standards and Policies for Biology

Biology is a limited-enrollment major. You might meet the minimum requirements listed below but not be admitted into the major. Admittance and status as a biology major depends on the following factors:

To be admitted, retained, and approved for graduation as a biology major, you must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.50 for all courses taken within the major (2.75 to student teach in biology), including collateral courses and regardless of a declaration of academic bankruptcy.
When you apply for the biology major, you are conditionally admitted with an ‘intended’ status. BIOL 130 and BIOL 160 and CHEM 105 or CHEM 117 must be completed within three semesters of application to the major, with no less than a 2.50 GPA in the major (including UWSP and transferred biology and collateral chemistry and math credits). Advising for intended majors will be conducted through the Biology Advising Office. When the introductory biology courses (BIOL 130 and BIOL 160 ) and the first semester of general chemistry (CHEM 105 or CHEM 117 ) are completed, and the minimum Biology GPA has been met, the status will be changed to ‘accepted’ and a faculty adviser will be assigned.
Accepted majors with a GPA in biology of less than 2.50 are changed to ‘provisional’ and are allowed two semesters in which to reach the minimum GPA or be dropped from the major. If you are dropped from the major, you may reapply only once.

NOTE: No more than six credits of D work in biology courses will be counted toward the completion of the biology major or minor. All grades of D or F in biology and required collateral courses are used to compute the cumulative GPA in the major or minor. If you repeat a course, the last grade earned is the grade used in your GPA calculation. Courses with grades of D or F may be repeated (only if a seat is available after the regular registration period) only with approval of the department chair and your adviser.

Teacher Certification: Enrollment caps are in effect for those seeking teacher certification. Please contact the School of Education early for entrance requirements and application procedures. Also see information about the Professional Education Program and the secondary education curriculum for teacher certification in the Education section of this catalog.

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: If you wish, you may use a score of 5 on the biology AP exam as a substitute for either BIOL 130 or BIOL 160 . See the chair or advising coordinator to exercise this option. If you score 3 or 4 on the AP exam, you will receive five credits toward graduation, but NOT toward biology major. Majors and minors must complete BIOL 130 AND BIOL 160 .

Areas of Emphasis for Biology

The areas listed below ARE NOT majors or specialties that will be listed on your transcript. These are simply ways of personalizing the required core curricular elements, collateral courses, and electives to best fit particular career goals. These are suggestions, not requirements, and should be considered as a way of selecting the most appropriate courses to satisfy both the biology major and your interests while best preparing you for a career in that area.

You should discuss your selection of options and recommended courses with the Biology Advising Office counselors and with your adviser to ensure adequate preparation for specific careers.

With the minimum requirements for a biology major most students will be able to enter a profession upon graduation. If you want to advance in your profession after employment or enter graduate school, medical school, or veterinary medicine, you are advised to take MATH 111 or MATH 120 , and MATH 355 ; PHYS 203 and PHYS 204 ; and a Chemistry Minor with CHEM 365 as an elective.

NOTE: Keep in mind that employers are looking for things other than coursework when you apply for a job in the biological sciences or post-graduate training. The three most important things besides coursework are: communication skills, leadership skills, and in-field experience. Check with a Biology Advising Office counselor and your adviser to find out how you might enhance these three areas.

Courses in Marine Biology

The following courses are offered at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. You may transfer the credits to UW-Stevens Point. Contact the Biology Advising Office for more information or visit the GCRL website.

Marine Phycology, 4 cr.
Marine Invertebrate Zoology, 6 cr.
Marine Ichthyology, 6 cr.
Marine Science, 5 cr.
Fauna and Faunistic Ecology of Tidal Marshes, 4 cr.
Coastal Vegetation, 3 cr.
Marine Ecology, 5 cr.
Salt Marsh Plant Ecology, 4 cr.
Marine Fisheries Management, 4 cr.
Parasites of Marine Animals, 6 cr.
Marine Microbiology, 5 cr.
Marine Aquaculture, 6 cr.
Comparative Histology of Marine Organisms, 1-6 cr.
Special Problems in Marine Science, 1-6 cr.
Special Topics in Marine Science, 1-6 cr.

Programs

Major

Biology, B.S.

Minor

Pre-professional

Certificate

Aquaponic Certificate Program

Courses

Biology

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