Biology, BS

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This major is administered by the Department of Biology .

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Biology program, you will be able to:

Recognize the multiple levels of complexity at which biological systems operate, from molecules to ecosystems and the biosphere, and explain the emergent properties and processes characteristic of each level
Describe mechanisms for the continuity of life, including the processes of inheritance, development, and evolution
Demonstrate proficiency in the methods and philosophy of science, including articulation and application of the Scientific Method, collection and analysis of biological data, and application of professional ethics
Critically evaluate and synthesize biological information from multiple sources, including the primary scientific literature, and communicate biological knowledge to both professional and non-professional audiences
Articulate the application of biological science to meeting the needs of society, including basic research, stewardship of biodiversity, human health, and entrepreneurial innovation

Consists of a minimum of 59 credits, depending on the 100-level chemistry and cellular/molecular biology options taken.

Note: Required courses marked below have Math prerequisites. Depending on your placement score, additional courses may be required.**

Required biology core and collateral courses

BIOL 110 - Principles of Biology I Credits: 5 and
BIOL 111 - Principles of Biology II Credits: 5
or
BIOL 130 - Introduction to Plant Biology Credits: 5 and
BIOL 160 - Introduction to Animal Biology Credits: 5
BIOL 210 - Principles of Genetics Credits: 3
BIOL 270 - Principles of Evolution Credits: 4
BIOL 305 - General Ecology Credits: 3
BIOL 306 - Ecological Methods Credits: 1
BIOL 490 - Senior Seminar Credits: 2

Note

BIOL 306 is waived if CNR Summer Field Experience or NRES 475 is completed.

One physiology course

BIOL 351 - Plant Physiology Credits: 4
BIOL 381 - Animal Physiology Credits: 4
BIOL 385 - Human Physiology Credits: 4

Cellular and Molecular Biology Requirement

BIOL 302 - Cellular and Molecular Biology Credits: 3 or
BIOL 314 - Cell Biology Credits: 4 and
BIOL 320 - Molecular Biology Credits: 4
The combination of BIOL 314 and BIOL 320 also counts towards 4 of the 12 required elective credits.

Collateral courses

Chemistry

CHEM 105 - Fundamental Chemistry Credits: 5 ** and
CHEM 106 - Fundamental Chemistry Credits: 5 **
or
CHEM 117 - General Chemistry Principles Credits: 5 **
CHEM 221 - Survey of Organic Chemistry Lecture Credits: 3 and
CHEM 222 - Survey of Organic Chemistry Lab Credits: 1
or
CHEM 325 - Organic Chemistry Credits: 4

Mathematics

MATH 111 - Applied Calculus Credits: 4 ** or
MATH 225 - Calculus I Credits: 5 ** or
MATH 255 - Elementary Statistical Methods Credits: 4 **

Electives

Select 16 credits from:

BIOL 190 - Introduction to the Biology Major Credits: 1
BIOL 309 - Field Biology Credits: 3-4
BIOL 311 - Population Genetics and Evolution Credits: 3
BIOL 312 - Human Genetics Credits: 4
BIOL 313 - Cancer Biology Credits: 3
BIOL 314 - Cell Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 315 - Virology Credits: 3
BIOL 317 - Developmental Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 320 - Molecular Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 325 - Introduction to Biological Illustration Credits: 2
BIOL 330 - Plant Morphology Credits: 4
BIOL 331 - Plant Anatomy Credits: 4
BIOL 333 - General Microbiology Credits: 4
BIOL 335 - Mycology Credits: 4
BIOL 337 - Plant Pathology Credits: 3
BIOL 338 - Phycology Credits: 4 or
WATR 338 - Phycology Credits: 4
BIOL 342 - Vascular Plant Taxonomy Credits: 4
BIOL 345 - Agrostology Credits: 2
WATR 347 - Aquatic Plant Taxonomy Credits: 2
BIOL 351 - Plant Physiology Credits: 4 (if not used to fulfill physiology requirement)
BIOL 353 - Ethnobotany Credits: 3
BIOL 354 - Science of Brewing Credits: 3
BIOL 355 - Plant Ecology Credits: 4
BIOL 361 - Aquatic Invertebrate Zoology Credits: 3 or
WATR 361 - Aquatic Invertebrate Zoology Credits: 3
BIOL 362 - Animal Parasitology Credits: 4
BIOL 367 - General Entomology Credits: 4
BIOL 370 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credits: 4
BIOL 374 - Ichthyology Credits: 4
BIOL 375 - Fisheries Ecology Credits: 3
BIOL 376 - Herpetology Credits: 3
BIOL 377 - Ornithology Credits: 3
BIOL 380 - Introduction to Aquaponics Credits: 3
BIOL 381 - Animal Physiology Credits: 4 (if not used to fulfill physiology requirement)
BIOL 382 - Endocrinology of Mammals Credits: 3
BIOL 383 - Biology of Reproduction Credits: 3
BIOL 385 - Human Physiology Credits: 4 (if not used to fulfill physiology requirement)
BIOL 386 - Fish Culture Credits: 3 or
WATR 386 - Fish Culture Credits: 3
BIOL 387 - Human Anatomy Credits: 4
BIOL 388 - Animal Behavior Credits: 3 or
PSYC 388 - Animal Behavior Credits: 3
BIOL 389 - Immunology Credits: 3
BIOL 390 - Neurobiology Credits: 3
BIOL 391 - Essentials of Python for Bioinformatics Credits: 2
BIOL 397 - Teaching Assistantship Credits: 1-2 (up to 4 crs. towards major in combination with BIOL 399 )
BIOL 398 - Introduction to Experimental Design Credits: 2
BIOL 399 - Independent Studies Credits: 1 or 2 (up to 4 cr. towards major in combination with BIOL 397 )
BIOL 400 - Communication in Research Credits: 1
BIOL 428 - Scanning Electron Microscope Workshop Credits: 1
BIOL 477 - Raptor Ecology Credits: 2
BIOL 487 - Survey in Human Dissection Credits: 2
BIOL 498 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 1-4 (may be repeated with different subtitles)
BIOL 499 - Biology Internship Credits: 1-4 (up to 4 cr. towards major)
CHEM 326 - Organic Chemistry Credits: 4
CHEM 365 - Biochemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 366 - Biochemistry II Credits: 3
MATH 226 - Calculus II Credits: 5
WATR 384 - Life History of Fishes Credits: 3
WATR 388 - Aquatic Ecology Credits: 3
WATR 483 - Fisheries Research Credits: 3
WATR 488 - Aquatic Insects Credits: 3
WLDL 378 - Mammalogy Credits: 3

Biology Credits at UW-Stevens Point

Biology majors must complete at least 12 biology credits at UW-Stevens Point.