Biology Major: Environmental Science Concentration - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)

39 credits (67 total credits including CHM, MTH, and GEO requirements)

Each student must have a minimum of three 400 level BIO credits (excluding BIO 450, BIO 479, BIO 489, BIO 491, BIO 495, and BIO 499) to fulfill requirements of the major.

Core
BIO 105General Biology4
BIO 203Organismal Biology4
BIO 306Genetics4
BIO 307Ecology3
BIO 315Cell Biology4
BIO 419Quantitative Methods in Ecology3
BIO 491Capstone Seminar in Biology1
Electives
Select 16 credits of elective from the following:16
Introductory Plant Identification
Plant Biology
Ornithology
Plant Physiology
Limnology
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Plant Taxonomy
Aquatic and Wetland Vascular Plants
Parasitology
Mycology
Freshwater Invertebrate Zoology
Ichthyology
Evolution
Environmental Toxicology
Plant Microbe Interactions
Entomology
Animal Behavior
Standard Methods/Quality Assurance Water Analyses
Plant Ecology
Comparative Animal Physiology
Stream and Watershed Ecology
Marine Biology
Ecosystem Ecology
Mammalogy
Fundamentals of Microbiology
Independent Research (up to two credits may apply)
Bacterial Diversity
Aquatic Microbial Ecology
Chemistry requirement
Select three semesters of chemistry, including: 15-18
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
And one of the organic chemistry options:
Option A (5 credits) 1
Fundamental Organic Chemistry
and Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Option B (7 credits)
Organic Chemistry Theory I
and Organic Chemistry Theory II
and Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Option C (8 credits)
Organic Chemistry Theory I
and Organic Chemistry Theory II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Math requirement
Select eight credits of mathematics including the following:8
Elementary Statistics
Mathematical Models in Biology
Applied Calculus
Calculus I
Environmental science requirement
Select a minimum of five credits of environmental science support courses, including one of the following options:5
Option A:
Analytical Chemistry
Option B: Select two of the following:
Geographic Information Systems and Science I
Geographic Information System and Science II
Remote Sensing of the Environment I
Geographic Information System and Science III
Option C: Select two of the following:
Software Design I
Software Design II
Statistical Methods
Correlation and Regression Analysis
Analysis of Variance and Design of Experiments
Nonparametric Statistics
Operations Research
Total Credits67
1

This is the recommended option for most biology majors, but students should consult with their biology advisor before enrolling.

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR. 

College of Science and Health (CSH) Bachelor of Arts core requirements

B.S. and B.A. students graduating from the College of Science and Health are required to take two natural laboratory science courses selected from the general education laboratory science category (GE 05) and/or from BIO 203, BIO 210, BIO 304CHM 104, GEO 221, GEO 222, PHY 104 or PHY 204, and they either must take two mathematics courses or one math course and one computer science course from the math/logical systems category of the general education requirements (GE 02). One of the two science courses must be from a department outside of the student’s major department.

Note: Math courses can be pairs, i.e. 150 and 151; MTH/CS majors can use two science courses from same department.

For the Bachelor of Arts degree, students must complete a major from the college and proficiency in a world language at the 202 level or demonstrate English language proficiency for non-native speakers of English. Contact the CSH Dean's Office for eligibility and regulations.

Students must also complete one of the following options. It is recommended that courses are selected in consultation with your advisor.

  1. Complete a minor in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities/School of Visual and Performing Arts; or

  2. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 15 credits.

    1. These courses must be from the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities/School of Visual and Performing Art.

    2. At least 9 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level.

    3. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements.

    4. Internship credits may not count toward the individualized option.

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
  2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
  3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with 15 or fewer credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIO 105 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)4CHM 103 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)5
CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral)3Gen Ed Self & Society3
MTH 207 or 175 (Gen Ed Math)5BIO 2034
FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written)3
 15 15
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
STAT 145 or MTH 265 (Gen Ed Lang/Logical Systems)4CHM 3004
BIO 3073CHM 3021
CHM 1045BIO 3064
Gen Ed Arts2-3202-Level Language (CSH BA Core)4
 Gen Ed Minority Cultures3
 14 16
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIO Elective from list3BIO 3154
Environmental Support Course (see list)3BIO Elective from list4
CSH Core (300/400 CASSH elec) or CASSH Minor3Gen Ed Health & Well-Being3
Gen Ed Humanistic Studies3Gen Ed Global Studies3
Gen Ed World History3Environmental Support Course (see list)3
 15 17
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIO Elective from list3BIO 4911
BIO 4193BIO Elective (400 level from list)3
CSH Core (300/400 CASSH elec) or CASSH Minor3BIO Elective from list3
CSH Core or CASSH Minor13CSH Core (300/400 CASSH elec) or CASSH Minor3
University Elective1CSH Core or CASSH Minor13
 Gen Ed Arts2-3
 13 15
Total Credits: 120
1

See CSH BA Core Requirements for information on completing the individualized option. 300/400 requirements for graduation may be impacted.