Biology Major: Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology Concentration - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

(All colleges)

39 credits (71 total credits including CHM and MTH requirements)

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

Core
BIO 105General Biology4
BIO 203Organismal Biology4
BIO 291Advancing Biological Science2
BIO 306Genetics4
BIO 315Cell Biology4
BIO 435Molecular Biology3
BIO 436Molecular Biology Laboratory1
or BIO 468 Human Molecular Genetics Lab
BIO 440Bioinformatics2
Electives
Select 15 credits of electives from the following: 115
BIO 202
Introduction to Biological Data Analysis and Interpretation
BIO 303
Vertebrate Form and Function 2
BIO 307
Ecology
BIO 312
Human Anatomy and Physiology I 2
BIO 313
Human Anatomy and Physiology II 2
BIO 333
Radiation Biology
BIO 337
Plant Physiology
BIO 406
Parasitology
BIO 408
Developmental Biology
BIO 410
Human Cadaver Dissection
BIO 412
Mycology
BIO 413
Medical Mycology
BIO 420
Applied Mycology
BIO 424
Human Endocrinology
BIO 428
Advanced Nutrition for the Health Professions
BIO 429
Evolution
BIO 432
Biology of Cancer
BIO 436
Molecular Biology Laboratory
BIO 443
Molecular Mechanism of Disease and Drug Action
BIO 449
Advanced Microscopy and Biological Imaging
BIO 466
Human Molecular Genetics
BIO 468
Human Molecular Genetics Lab
BIO 483
Cell Signaling
MIC 230
Fundamentals of Microbiology
MIC 310
Immunology
MIC 410
Immunology Laboratory
MIC 420
Introductory Virology
MIC 421
Virology Laboratory
MIC 427
Industrial and Fermentation Microbiology
Chemistry requirement
Select a minimum of 24 chemistry credits including: 24
CHM 103
General Chemistry I
CHM 104
General Chemistry II
CHM 301
Analytical Chemistry
One of the following organic chemistry options:
Option A (5 credits) 3
CHM 300
& CHM 302
Fundamental Organic Chemistry
and Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Option B (7 credits)
CHM 303
& CHM 304
& CHM 302
Organic Chemistry Theory I
and Organic Chemistry Theory II
and Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Option C (8 credits)
CHM 303
& CHM 304
& CHM 305
Organic Chemistry Theory I
and Organic Chemistry Theory II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
And one of the following:
CHM 325
Fundamental Biochemistry
CHM 417
& CHM 418
Biochemistry I: Macromolecules
and Biochemistry II: Metabolism
Math requirement
Select eight credits of mathematics, including the following:8
STAT 145
Elementary Statistics
or MTH 265
 Mathematical Models in Biology
MTH 175
Applied Calculus
or MTH 207
 Calculus I
or MTH 151
 Precalculus
Total Credits71
1

Up to two credits from BIO 450, BIO 479, BIO 489, BIO 495, BIO 499 and MIC 499 may count toward the major.

2

A maximum of eight credits of BIO 303, BIO 312, and BIO 313 can be applied to the major.

3

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 & Health are required to take:

  • two MTH/STAT courses or one MTH/STAT course and one CS course from the General Education: Quantitative Reasoning Category (GEN ED 1004); and
  • two courses selected from the General Education: Experiential Science Category (GEN ED 1008) and/or from
    BIO 203, BIO 304, BIO 210, CHM 104, GEO 221, GEO 222, PHY 104 or PHY 204. One of the two courses must be from a department outside of the student’s major department.

Notes: Mathematics courses can be pairs, i.e. MTH 150 and MTH 151.

For the Bachelor of Arts degree, in addition to all other College of Science and Health core requirements, 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 two certificates in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities/School of Visual and Performing Arts with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level; or

  3. 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 Arts.

    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 "Submit Intent to Graduate" 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 less than 12 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 1008 Experiential Science)4BIO 2034
CST 110 (Gen Ed 1003 Spoken Literacy)3ENG 110 (Gen Ed 1002 Written Literacy)3
MTH 207 or 175 (Gen Ed 1004 Quantitative Reasoning)4CHM 103 (CSH Core - Gen Ed Experiential Science not BIO)5
Gen Ed 1011 Pasts That Define Us3FYS 100 (Gen Ed 1001 First-Year Seminar)3
 14 15
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIO 2912BIO 3064
STAT 145 (CSH Core)4CHM 3004
CHM 1045CHM 3021
Gen Ed 1007 Arts and Aesthetics2Gen Ed 1005 Ethnic Diversity3
Gen Ed 1010 Stories We Tell3Gen Ed 1013 Cultures of Our World (202-level Language CSH BA Core)/Individualized option3
 16 15
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIO Elective3BIO 3154
BIO Elective3CHM 3254
CHM 3015CSH Core (300/400 CASSH elec) or CASSH Minor3
Gen Ed 1009 Social and Behavioral Studies3Gen Ed 1007 Arts and Aesthetics2
Gen Ed 1012 Planet That Sustains Us3Gen Ed 1006 Mind and Body3
 17 16
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIO 4353BIO 4402
BIO 436 or 4681BIO Elective3
BIO Elective3BIO Elective (400 level)4
CSH Core (300/400 CASSH elec) or CASSH Minor3CSH Core (300/400 CASSH elec) or CASSH Minor3
CSH Core or CASSH Minor13University Elective2
 13 14
Total Credits: 120
1

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