Biological Sciences
UW-PARKSIDE 2017-19 CATALOG
Greenquist 344 • 262-595-2744
College:
Natural and Health Sciences
Degrees and Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Science
Majors - Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics
Minor - Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences for Elementary Teachers, Biological Sciences for Secondary Teachers
Student Organizations/Clubs:
Biology Club, Molecular Biology Club, Pre-Health Professions Club
Career Possibilities:
Health professional; research scientist; veterinary medicine; secondary school teacher; industrial research, development, quality control, product specialist; zoologist; botanist; ecologist; conservation biologist; naturalist.
Department Overview
Since the opening of the university in 1968, UW-Parkside’s Biological Sciences Department has developed and maintained a reputation for outstanding preparation for careers in life and health sciences. The department currently attracts many of the best students found on the campus and has one of the strongest pre-health programs in the state.
The instructional program emphasizes quality teaching, hands-on experience with state-of-the-art technology, and involvement of undergraduate students in research. The department has high-quality faculty, several of whom are nationally and internationally known. The faculty sees itself as an excellent example of the teacher-scholar model for a predominantly undergraduate institution. The department maintains active research facilities with modern instrumentation. In addition, the UW-Parkside campus, the Chiwaukee Prairie, Harris Tract, Ranger Mac’s Fen, Renak Polak Woods, Petrifying Springs, and Sanders Park provide field areas for environmental studies.
The biological sciences include many different aspects of biology such as botany, microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics and zoology. The undergraduate majors are based on core courses designed to convey a common body of concepts and skills essential to the training of biologists regardless of their ultimate specialization. This part of the program emphasizes the similarities and unifying ideas applicable to all living systems.
The department offers two majors. The biological sciences major is appropriate for students with a general interest in biology. The molecular biology and bioinformatics major is designed for students who wish to specialize in this rapidly growing field of biology. Both majors are appropriate for students preparing for the health professions; consult with the pre-health advisers for advice relating to your particular career goal.
Biological science majors interested in obtaining a minor in environmental studies should consult with the director of environmental studies.
The department supports several student organizations: Biology Club, Molecular Biology Club, and the Pre-Health Professions Club. These clubs promote learning and career preparation outside the formal classroom. Activities include field trips, guest lectures, mentoring, and social activities. See your academic adviser or contact the department office for information about how to become involved.
The biological sciences program offers many courses for other majors and/or programs such as applied health sciences, biochemistry, environmental studies, gerontology, and pre-professional programs. There are also many courses available that have been designed specifically for non-science students and for general education.
Program Level Objectives for Biological Sciences
- Biological complexity and evolution: students demonstrate expertise regarding the nature of living organisms and biological processes.
- Inquiry and research methods: students develop analytical and critical thinking skills, including hypothesis generation and testing, and engage in the practice of biology.
- Scholarship and communication: students develop the capacity to engage in current thinking, discoveries and methodologies via reading the scientific literature and communicating (discussion, writing, presentation).
Requirements for the Biological Sciences Major (76-79 credits)
The major in biological sciences consists of a minimum of 43 credits in biological sciences with additional courses in mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Within the major, a minimum of 15 credits in courses numbered 300 or above must be completed at UW-Parkside.
- Required Core Courses (19 Credits)
BIOS 101 Bioscience 4 cr BIOS 102 Organismal Biology 4 cr BIOS 210 Biostatistics 4 cr BIOS 260 General Genetics 4 cr BIOS 435 Experimental Methods/Biochemistry Lab 2 cr BIOS 495 Senior Seminar 1 cr Students must complete core courses numbered in the 200s and below before they enroll in 400-level biological sciences courses. Exception from this prerequisite requires approval from the program faculty. Students should consult with their academic adviser before registration if such a situation arises.
- Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics Courses (33-36 credits)
- Mathematics Courses (5 credits)
MATH 221 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I 5 cr
- Mathematics Courses (5 credits)
- Chemistry Courses (18-21 credits)
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 4 cr CHEM 102 General Chemistry II 4 cr CHEM 103 General Chemistry I Lab 1 cr CHEM 104 General Chemistry II Lab 1 cr CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry I 4 cr CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry II 4 cr
Recommended:CHEM 323 Organic Chemistry Laboratory* 3 cr
- Physics Courses (10 credits)
PHYS 105 College Physics I 5 cr PHYS 106 College Physics II 5 cr
OR
PHYS 201 General Physics I 5 cr PHYS 202 General Physics II 5 cr
*Strongly recommended, but not required. Most graduate and professional schools require an organic chemistry course with a laboratory component. Students who plan to do graduate work are also advised to take MATH 222 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II.
- Elective Courses (24 credits)
Each student must complete a minimum of 24 elective credits selected from 200-400 level biological sciences courses. At least 3-credit hours must be obtained from each of the four designated areas listed below. BIOS 494 Internship, and BIOS 499 Independent Study, cannot be used to satisfy the requirement within these areas. Students are required to check with their advisers concerning biological sciences special topics courses (BIOS 290, 390, 490) counting toward the topic areas listed below.
- Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOS 301 Cell Biology 3 cr BIOS 307 Biochemical Metabolism 3 cr BIOS 309 Molecular Biology 3 cr BIOS 355 Biology of Cancer 3 cr - Organismal Structure and Function
BIOS 300 Human Functional Anatomy (L) 4 cr BIOS 317 Developmental Biology 3 cr BIOS 341 Mammalian Physiology 3 cr BIOS 344 Plant Physiology 3 cr BIOS 420 Neuroscience 3 cr - Biological Diversity
BIOS 303 Microbiology (L) 4 cr BIOS 311 Parasitology (L) 4 cr BIOS 313 Invertebrate Zoology (L) 4 cr BIOS 318 Vertebrate Zoology (L) 4 cr BIOS 324 Botany (L) 4 cr BIOS 351 Virology 3 cr - Population Biology
BIOS 305 Principles of Ecology (L) 4 cr BIOS 314 Evolutionary Biology 3 cr BIOS 330 Topics in Field Biology (L) 3 cr BIOS 333 Restoration Ecology (L) 3 cr BIOS 336 Conservation Biology 3 cr BIOS 340 Animal Behavior (L) 4 cr BIOS 414 Molecular Evolution 3 cr
A course in each of the four areas is required. Students can select among any of the remaining 200-400 level biological sciences courses to complete the remaining 12 elective credits, which may include up to three credits each of BIOS 494 and BIOS 499.
To complete the requirement of 24 elective credits, at least one 300 level or higher elective class must include a laboratory. Classes that meet this requirement are marked with an (L) in the list above as well as BIOS 453 and 455. BIOS 435 Experimental Methods/Biochemistry Lab is a core class and does not satisfy this requirement.
Students pursuing careers in the health professions are strongly urged to contact the Pre-Health office at 262-595-2327 for advising.
- Optional Concentration in Pre-Health Professions (27 credits)
Students who are planning to pursue graduate/professional work in health sciences should consider completing the biological sciences major with a concentration in pre-health professions. Students complete the same biological sciences major core course requirements (A) and mathematics, physics and chemistry course requirements (B), but use the following course plan for the elective course requirements (C):
- Required Concentration Courses (20 credits)
BIOS 300 Human Functional Anatomy (L) 4 cr BIOS 303 Microbiology (L) 4 cr BIOS 307 Biochemical Metabolism 3 cr BIOS 341 Mammalian Physiology 3 cr CHEM 323 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 3 cr BIOS 314 Evolutionary Biology 3 cr OR BIOS 414 Molecular Evolution 3 cr - Elective Concentration Courses (7 credits)
BIOS 301 Cell Biology 3 cr BIOS 309 Molecular Biology 3 cr BIOS 311 Parasitology (L) 4 cr BIOS 317 Developmental Biology 3 cr BIOS 342 Mammalian Physiology Laboratory 1 cr BIOS 351 Virology 3 cr BIOS 355 Biology of Cancer 3 cr BIOS 420 Neuroscience 3 cr
Program Level Objectives for Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics
- Knowledge of the Natural World: Breadth of scientific knowledge, specifically, the ability to think beyond one’s area of concentration.
- Critical and Creative Thinking Skills: Experiential and problem solving skills as well as higher order qualitative and quantitative reasoning.
- Effective Communication Skills: Competence in speaking, reading, and writing abilities.
- Individual, Social and Environmental Responsibility: Civic knowledge and engagement (both local and global), ethical reasoning, and action; ability to interact and work with people under standard civility and professional norm.
Requirements for the Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Major (76-78 credits)
The major in molecular biology and bioinformatics consists of a minimum of 43 credits in biological sciences, with additional courses in mathematics, chemistry, computer science and physics. Within the major, a minimum of 15 credits in courses numbered 300 or above must be completed at UW-Parkside. Students must maintain a minimum UW-Parkside cumulative GPA of 2.50 in all courses required for the major to graduate.
- Required Core Courses (40 credits)
BIOS 101 Bioscience 4 cr BIOS 102 Organismal Biology 4 cr BIOS 210 Biostatistics 4 cr BIOS 260 General Genetics 4 cr BIOS 301 Cell Biology 3 cr BIOS 303 Microbiology 4 cr BIOS 309 Molecular Biology 3 cr BIOS 453 Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics of Nucleic Acids
4 cr BIOS 455 Protein Biochemistry and Bioinformatics 4 cr BIOS 489 Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Senior Project
2 cr BIOS 499 Independent Study (over two semesters) 4 cr
- Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Physics Courses (33 credits)
- Mathematics Course (5 credits)
MATH 221 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I 5 cr - Chemistry Courses (18 credits)
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 4 cr CHEM 102 General Chemistry II 4 cr CHEM 103 General Chemistry I Lab 1 cr CHEM 104 General Chemistry II Lab 1 cr CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry I 4 cr CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry II 4 cr - Physics Courses (10 credits)
PHYS 105 College Physics I 5 cr PHYS 106 College Physics II 5 cr OR PHYS 201 General Physics I 5 cr PHYS 202 General Physics II 5 cr
- Mathematics Course (5 credits)
- Elective Course (3-5 credits)
Choose from:
BIOS 300 - 600 level courses (excluding: BIOS 435 Experimental Methods; BIOS 495 Senior Seminar; BIOS 499 Independent Study)
CHEM 323* Organic Chemistry Laboratory 3 cr CHEM 620 Advanced Biochemistry 3 cr CSCI 241 Computer Science I 4 cr CSCI 242 Computer Science II 4 cr MATH 222* Calculus and Analytic Geometry II 5 cr MATH 231 Discrete Mathematics 3 cr MATH 309 Probability and Statistics 3 cr MIS 322 Business Programming II-C# 3 cr MIS 328 Database Management Systems 3 cr
Requirements for the Biological Sciences Minor (20 credits)
- Required Courses (8 credits)
BIOS 101 Bioscience 4 cr BIOS 102 Organismal Biology 4 cr
- Elective Courses (12 credits)
BIOS 200+ Electives 200 level or above
(excluding BIOS 202 General Microbiology)12 cr
Requirements for the Biological Sciences for Elementary Teachers Minor (24-38 credits)
- Required Courses (12 credits)
BIOS 101 Bioscience 4 cr BIOS 102 Organismal Biology 4 cr MATH 111 College Algebra I 4 cr - Elective Options (12-26 credits)
Choose one option:
- Elective Option I (26 credits)
Required:BIOS 105 Human Physiology and Anatomy I 5 cr BIOS 106 Human Physiology and Anatomy II 5 cr BIOS 190 Fundamentals of Nutrition 2 cr CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 4 cr CHEM 102 General Chemistry II 4 cr CHEM 103 General Chemistry I Lab 1 cr CHEM 104 General Chemistry II Lab 1 cr CHEM 215 Organic and Biochemistry 4 cr - Elective Option II (12 credits)
- Required courses (6 credits)
BIOS 103 Human Biology 3 cr BIOS 104 Environmental Science 3 cr - Elective courses (6 credits)
Any additional BIOS courses
200-level or above6 cr
- Required courses (6 credits)
- Elective Option I (26 credits)
Requirements for the Biological Sciences for Secondary Teachers Minor (41-45 credits)
- Biological Sciences Courses (26-27 credits)
- Required Courses (19 credits)
BIOS 101 Bioscience 4 cr BIOS 102 Organismal Biology 4 cr BIOS 210 Biostatistics 4 cr BIOS 260 General Genetics 4 cr BIOS 314 Evolutionary Biology 3 cr - Elective Courses (7-8 credits)
- Choose one (3-4 credits)
BIOS 305 Principles of Ecology (L) 4 cr BIOS 333 Restoration Ecology (L) 3 cr BIOS 336 Conservation Biology 3 cr - Choose one (4 credits)
BIOS 303 Microbiology (L) 4 cr BIOS 311 Parasitology (L) 4 cr BIOS 313 Invertebrate Zoology (L) 4 cr BIOS 318 Vertebrate Zoology (L) 4 cr
- Choose one (3-4 credits)
- Mathematics Courses (5-8 credits)
Choose one option: MATH 111 College Algebra I 4 cr AND MATH 112 College Algebra II 4 cr OR MATH 114 College Algebra II with Trigonometry
5 cr - Chemistry Courses (10 credits)
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 4 cr CHEM 102 General Chemistry II 4 cr CHEM 103 General Chemistry I Lab 1 cr CHEM 104 General Chemistry II Lab 1 cr
- Required Courses (19 credits)
Departmental Honors Program
Students completing a bachelor of science degree in either biological sciences or molecular biology and bioinformatics may earn departmental honors reflecting outstanding achievement in academics and research. To attain honors a student must have:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and a GPA of 3.5 or higher for all courses required within one of the majors,
- Minimum of four credits of BIOS 499 Independent Research,
- Successfully complete an oral or poster presentation detailing independent research accomplishments within BIOS 499,
- Successfully complete a written research thesis detailing independent research accomplishments within BIOS 499,
- Satisfactory completion of the above requirements must be evaluated and approved by a departmental committee composed of two biological sciences faculty members.
Students interested in completing departmental honors must file a biological sciences honor application with the department prior to their senior year.
Teacher Education Licensure in Biological Sciences
Students interested in becoming teachers will need to complete an approved program pathway to a Wisconsin initial educator license. The approved pathway to this license is a structured collaboration between the biological sciences department and the Institute of Professional Educator Development (IPED).
The requirements for teacher licensure are specific, and therefore, students must meet with the IPED Adviser to coordinate the major and teacher education curriculum. It is very important to contact the IPED adviser at 262-595-2180 or Molinaro D111 as soon as possible. Students are required to seek advising each semester from both the IPED Adviser and the biological sciences department liaison to the teacher education program. Complete information about the Teacher Education Program can be found on the IPED website at:
https://www.uwp.edu/learn/departments/educatordevelopment/Contacts.cfm
Courses in Biological Sciences (BIOS)
100 | Nature of Life | 3 cr |
|
Prereq: None. Freq: Fall, Spring. |
|
101 | Bioscience | 4 cr |
|
Prereq: MATH 111 or concurrent enrollment; placement into ENGL 100 or higher. Freq: Fall, Spring. |
|
102 | Organismal Biology | 4 cr |
Prereq: MATH 111 or concurrent enrollment; placement into ENGL 100 or higher. Freq: Fall, Spring. |
||
103 | Human Biology | 3 cr |
Prereq: None. Freq: Yearly. |
||
104 | Environmental Science: A Biological Approach | 3 cr |
Prereq: None. Freq: Spring, Summer. |
||
105 | Human Physiology and Anatomy I | 5 cr |
Prereq: None. Freq: Fall, Spring. |
||
106 | Human Physiology and Anatomy II | 5 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 105. Freq: Fall, Spring. |
||
109 | Biology of Aging | 3 cr |
Prereq: None. Freq: Spring. |
||
114 | Freshman Seminar in Biological/Health Sciences | 1 cr |
Prereq: None. Freq: Fall. |
||
190 | Fundamentals of Human Nutrition | 2 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 106, CHEM 215. Freq: Spring. |
||
202 | General Microbiology | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 105, 106 or concurrent registration; CHEM 102 and 104 or 115; or consent of instructor. Freq: Fall. |
||
207 | Research Process in Biology | 2 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101 or BIOS 102 and consent of instructor. Freq: Spring |
||
210 | Biostatistics | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102 and MATH 112, 113; or equivalent. Freq: Fall, Spring. |
||
260 | General Genetics | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102; 210 or concurrent registration and CHEM 102, 104. Freq: Fall, Spring. |
||
290 | Special Topics in Biological Sciences | 1-4 cr |
Prereq: Varies with topic. Freq: Occasionally. Selected topics in the biological sciences. |
||
300 | Human Functional Anatomy | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102; or consent of instructor. Freq: Fall, Spring. Fundamental study of organization and structure of tissues, organs and systems of the human body and their relationship to function. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab. |
||
301 | Cell Biology | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 260, CHEM 322 or concurrent registration. Freq: Spring (odd years). |
||
303 | Microbiology | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 260 or consent of instructor. Freq: Spring. |
||
305 | Principles of Ecology | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102, and 210. Freq: Fall (odd years). |
||
307 | Biochemical Metabolism | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102 and CHEM 322; or consent of instructor. Freq: Fall. |
||
309 | Molecular Biology | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 260, CHEM 322 or concurrent registration. Freq: Spring. |
||
311 | Parasitology | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102; or consent of instructor. Freq: Fall (odd years). Investigates the biology, ecology, classification, and significance of parasitic animals of humans and wildlife in Southeast Wisconsin. Includes host-parasite interactions, distribution of parasites throughout the world and examination of parasite life cycles and transmission. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab. |
||
312 | Medical and Forensic Entomology | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102 and 210. Freq: Occasionally. |
||
313 | Invertebrate Zoology | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102, and 210. Freq: Fall (even years). |
||
314 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102, and 260. Freq: Spring. |
||
317 | Developmental Biology | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102; or consent of instructor. Freq: Spring. |
||
318 | Vertebrate Zoology | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102; or consent of instructor. Freq: Fall. |
||
324 | Botany | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102. Freq: Fall (even years). |
||
329 | Paleontology | 3 cr |
Prereq: GEOS 102 or BIOS 102. Freq: Spring. |
||
330 | Topics in Field Biology | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102; or consent of instructor. Freq: Occasionally. |
||
333 | Restoration Ecology | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 102 or 104 or ENVS 101. Freq: Occasionally. |
||
336 | Conservation Biology | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 102 or 104 or ENVS 101. Freq: Occasionally. |
||
340 | Animal Behavior | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 210. Freq: Fall (even years). |
||
341 | Mammalian Physiology | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 210, CHEM 321; or consent of instructor; BIOS 300 recommended. Freq: Fall. |
||
342 | Mammalian Physiology Laboratory | 1 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 341; or concurrent registration in BIOS 341, or consent of instructor. Freq: Fall |
||
344 | Plant Physiology | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102. Freq: Occasionally. |
||
351 | Virology | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 260, CHEM 321; or consent of instructor. Freq: Occasionally. |
||
355 | Biology of Cancer | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 260, CHEM 322; or concurrent registration. Freq: Spring (even years). |
||
390 | Special Topics in Biological Sciences | 1-4 cr |
Prereq: Varies with topic. Freq: Occasionally. |
||
410 | Cellular and Molecular Immunology | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 260, 307, 309, and consent of instructor. Freq: Occasionally. |
||
411 | Microbial Physiology and Diversity | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 303 or consent of instructor. Freq: Alternate years. |
||
414 | Molecular Evolution | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 309 or 314; or consent of instructor. Freq: Occasionally. |
||
420 | Neuroscience | 3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 300, 341; or consent of instructor. Freq: Occasionally. |
||
435 | Experimental Methods/Biochemistry Lab | 2 cr |
Prereq: CHEM 322. and consent of instructor. Freq: Fall, Spring. |
||
445 | Experimental Methods in Ecology and Evolution | 2 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 101, 102, 210, 260 and consent of instructor. Freq: Fall. |
||
453 | Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics of Nucleic Acids | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 260, 309, and consent of instructor. Freq: Spring. |
||
455 | Protein Biochemistry and Bioinformatics | 4 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 260, 309, and consent of instructor. Freq: Spring. |
||
489 | Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Senior Project | 1 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 453, 455. Freq: Fall, Spring, Summer. |
||
490 | Advanced Topics in Biology | 1-4 cr |
Prereq: Varies with topic. Freq: Occasionally. |
||
494 | Internship in Biological Sciences | 1-3 cr |
Prereq: BIOS 210, 2.80 GPA, consent of instructor. Freq: Fall, Spring, Summer. |
||
495 | Senior Seminar | 1 cr |
Prereq: Senior standing and consent of instructor. Freq: Fall, Spring. |
||
499 | Independent Study | 1-3 cr |
Prereq: Consent of instructor and department chair. Junior standing and minimum 2.80 GPA in BIOS courses recommended. Freq: Fall, Spring, Summer. |
||