https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/biology
Biology Office: 247 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608-342-1793
E-mail: biology@uwplatt.edu
Department Chair: Rich Dhyanchand
Office: 340 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.6155
E-mail: dhyanchandr@uwplatt.edu
- Biology Major, B.S. with a Minor
- Biology Major, B.S. with an Emphasis
- Botany Emphasis
- Comprehensive Emphasis
- Ecology Emphasis
- General Emphasis
- Health Sciences Emphasis
- Molecular/Genetics Emphasis
- Nursing Emphasis
- Secondary Education Emphasis (Non-Licensure)
- Zoology Emphasis
Purpose Statement
The UW-Platteville Biology Program provides students with foundational knowledge in the biological sciences via its core curriculum. From this foundation, students pursue advanced topics related to subdisciplines of biology, including health sciences, organismal biology, ecology, molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, and computational biology. The program provides students numerous opportunities to participate in hands-on research and guided investigations of special topics in collaboration with faculty and staff members. Our primary goal is to provide a learning environment and curriculum that make our students competitive for higher-level opportunities such as graduate and professional schooling, jobs in industry, careers in education, and service in government agencies. In addition, the Biology program provides general education courses in the category of natural science that introduce students pursuing other degrees to science as one approach to interpreting the world, fundamental biological concepts, and the interplay between biology and human society. Finally, many Biology courses support the needs of other programs at UW-Platteville, including Agriculture, Chemistry, Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation, Data Science, Education, Engineering, and Health and Human Performance.
Student Learning Goals
- Our world is filled with a dazzling array of life; these seemingly unique and different organisms have shared features due to their common origin. Our biology majors will demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics that unify all living organisms, the forces that shape their diversity, and the structures and functions inherent to different living organisms.
- Because science is a process used to explore and understand the world around us, our biology majors will observe, question, hypothesize, test, analyze and develop conclusions about natural phenomena.
- Life is complex; understanding this complexity requires interdisciplinary training. As they investigate the natural world, our biology majors will appropriately integrate knowledge and skills from chemistry, mathematics, and other liberal arts and sciences.
- Although some contributions to science are achieved by individual effort alone, most are accomplished when people with diverse perspectives and skills work together. Our biology majors will engage in scientific inquiry both as individuals and as effective team members.
- Without communication, science has no impact. Our biology majors will use a variety of oral and written means to convey information to a wide range of audiences.
- The advancement of scientific knowledge happens within a societal context. Our biology majors will evaluate interactions between science and society and the ethical issues surrounding those interactions.
Cultivating Attitudes
The members of our department feel, as with any endeavor, correct attitudes provide an important complement to a sound knowledge base and skill set. As a department, we hope to instill in our students a set of attitudes we feel are important for all biologists. We do our best to model the following:
- enthusiasm for the science of biology and an appreciation for the multitude of ways that biology permeates our society
- a strong curiosity for the world around us
- a respect for the instruments and objects of our research
- and integrity, because without integrity, there is no trust of the individual and, taken to its natural ends, no trust in the field of biology and the process of science.
Biology Requirements and Academic Standards
Eligibility for the Biology Major
Any student (new college student, external or internal transfer student) may declare a Biology Major (General emphasis) upon entering the program. Students may select a more specific emphasis only after earning a C- or better in the following foundational courses (or their equivalents): BIOLOGY 1020, BIOLOGY 1650, and BIOLOGY 1750. Students who have specific biology interests, plan on a particular biology career, or those who plan to enter a graduate or professional school generally pursue the Biology Major with emphasis, thereby focusing their educational experiences. Students who seek a wider range of biology experiences than defined by an emphasis area may choose our General emphasis or Comprehensive emphasis as these allow more flexibility in course selection that may better align with student interests.
Eligibility for Select Pre-Professional Programs
Enrollment in the Pre-Nursing option is open to any entering student (or internal transfer student). To declare any other option, a student must be eligible for pursuing the Biology Major and must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. If a student’s overall GPA drops below a 3.0, he or she will automatically be removed from the Pre-Professional Program. If this occurs, a student may appeal one time to the department for re-enrollment in the Pre-Professional Program.
Program Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or higher is required in all courses taken to fulfill specific requirements of the biology major. This includes ENGLISH 1130 and ENGLISH 1230, as well as courses taken in other disciplines toward an emphasis.
Prerequisite Courses
In order to maintain enrollment in any biology course with identified prerequisite requirements, a student must successfully complete the required prerequisite(s). Students who register for a biology course that includes prerequisite requirements will be automatically un-enrolled from the course if they do not successfully complete the prerequisites.
Biology Core Requirements
ALL biology majors must complete core courses in the following three areas:
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| BIOLOGY 1020 | BioQuest: Foundations for College Success | 1 |
| BIOLOGY 1650 | The Unity of Life | 5 |
| BIOLOGY 1750 | The Diversity of Life | 5 |
| BIOLOGY 2420 | Fundamentals of Biological Investigations | 3 |
| BIOLOGY 3330 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOLOGY 3450 | Ecology and Evolution | 3 |
| BIOLOGY 4970 | Senior Thesis | 1 |
| or BIOLOGY 4990 | Capstone Course: From Atoms to Ecosystems - The Study of Life |
| 4-5 |
| General Chemistry I | |
| Survey of General Chemistry |
| General Chemistry I with Math Development |
| General Chemistry II |
| Chemistry for Engineers |
| 4-5 |
| General Chemistry II | |
| Principles of Physics |
| Introductory Physics I |
| Introductory Physics II |
| General Physics I |
| General Physics II |
| Survey of Astronomy |
| Introductory Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies |
| Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System |
| Planet Earth |
| Physical Geology |
| Soils |
| MATH 1830 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 32-34 |
Students who expect to enter professional or graduate school should consider taking additional courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, sociology, psychology and philosophy. Academic advisers will guide you in the selection of these courses.
The following pre-professional programs are administered and advised through the UW-Platteville Biology Department:
Pre-Chiropractic
Amanda Trewin
241 Gardner Hall
608.342.1527
Pre-Dentistry
John Peterson
242 Gardner Hall
608.342.7329
Pre-Medical Technology
Mark Levenstein
240 Gardner Hall
608.342.1331
Pre-Medicine
Rich Dhyanchand
340 Gardner Hall
608.342.6155
Pre-Nursing
Nadia Sifri
235 Gardner Hall
608.342.7125
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Amanda Trewin
241 Gardner Hall
608.342.1527
Pre-Optometry
John Peterson
242 Gardner Hall
608.342.7329
Pre-Osteopathy
Rich Dhyanchand
340 Gardner Hall
608.342.6155
Pre-Physical Therapy
Amanda Trewin
241 Gardner Hall
608.342.1527
Pre-Physician Assistant
Rich Dhyanchand
340 Gardner Hall
608.342.6155
Pre-Podiatry
Rich Dhyanchand
340 Gardner Hall
608.342.6155
Faculty and Lecturers
Additional information about the Faculty and Lecturers below may be found in the Faculty and Academic Staff section of this catalog.
