Program Overview

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Zoology, BA

The Zoology major is a gateway to the diverse areas of modern biology with a focus on animal biology. The major can be tailored to prepare students for advanced study and careers in many different areas: veterinary medicine; health professions and public health; law; life sciences research in university, government, and industrial settings; education including museum, nature center, secondary and college education; biotechnology; and environmental studies.

Program Description

Students in the Zoology major have the flexibility to focus on various areas in biological science, including:

• ecology, evolution, and animal behavior;
• anatomy, physiology, and organismal biology;
• and cellular, molecular, and developmental biology.

Students in Zoology learn about aquatic ecosystems, vertebrate anatomy, identifying various birds, and the development of animals.

The department encourages undergraduate participation in research and offers summer research scholarships to outstanding students.

Program Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below.

• BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
• BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
• BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
• Communication Part A & Part B
• Ethnic Studies
• Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Students pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science curriculum.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

• Mathematics: Complete the University General Education Requirements for Quantitative Reasoning A (QR-A) and Quantitative Reasoning B (QR-B) coursework.
• Language:
  • Complete the fourth unit of a language other than English; OR
  • Complete the third unit of a language and the second unit of an additional language other than English.
• L&S Breadth:
  • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include 6 credits of literature; and
  • 12 credits of Social Science; and
  • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include one 3+ credit Biological Science course and one 3+ credit Physical Science course.
• Liberal Arts and Science Coursework: Complete at least 108 credits.
• Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work: Complete at least 60 credits at the intermediate or advanced level.
• Major: Declare and complete at least one major.
• Total Credits: Complete at least 120 credits.
• UW-Madison Experience:
  • 30 credits in residence, overall; and
  • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit.

Requirements for the Major

Math, Chemistry & Physics

Complete one of the following in each category:

• Math:
  • MATH 112 & MATH 113: College Algebra and Trigonometry
  • MATH 114: Precalculus
  • MATH 171 & MATH 217: Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry I and II
  • MATH 211: Survey of Calculus 1
• Chemistry:
  • CHEM 103 & CHEM 104: General Chemistry I and II
  • CHEM 109: Advanced General Chemistry
• Physics:
  • PHYSICS 103 & PHYSICS 104: General Physics
  • PHYSICS 201 & PHYSICS 202: General Physics
  • PHYSICS 207 & PHYSICS 208: General Physics

Biology and Zoology

Complete 30 credits from the sections below.

Introductory Biology

• Option 1: ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 151 & ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 152: Introductory Biology
• Option 2: BIOCORE 381 & BIOCORE 382: Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics and Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory
• Option 3: ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 & ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 102: Animal Biology and Animal Biology Laboratory

Electives

A list of elective courses is provided, including but not limited to:

• ZOOLOGY 299: Directed Studies in Zoology
• ZOOLOGY 300: Invertebrate Biology and Evolution
• ZOOLOGY 301: Invertebrate Biology and Evolution Lab
• ZOOLOGY/ENTOM 302: Introduction to Entomology
• ZOOLOGY 303: Aquatic Invertebrate Biology
• ZOOLOGY 304: Marine Biology

Residence and Quality of Work

• 2.000 GPA in all ZOOLOGY and major courses
• 2.000 GPA on 15 Upper Level major credits, taken in Residence
• 15 credits in ZOOLOGY, or courses that count for the major, taken on the UWMadison campus

Honors in the Zoology Major

To earn Honors in the Major in Zoology, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major and the following additional requirements:

• Earn a 3.300 University GPA
• Earn a 3.300 GPA in all courses that count toward the major
• Complete 12 credits, taken for Honors, with individual grades of B or better.
• Complete ZOOLOGY 681 and ZOOLOGY 682, for a total of 6 credits.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Connect and describe the concepts that make up the structure and function of all living things through the principles of genetics, cellular biology, and physiology.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of life through the principles of evolution.
3. Make connections between organisms, their habitats, and systems through the principles of ecology.
4. Make connections between the biological sciences to humans and ecological systems and appreciate the complexity of these systems.
5. Identify, think through, and solve a problem using quantitative reasoning and critical thinking skills.
6. Develop an ability to plan and carry out scientific experiments by obtaining and evaluating scientific information and effectively communicating information through oral and written presentations.
7. Understand current issues in biology and apply scientific knowledge to societal issues.
8. Make connections between self and natural world, and personal responsibility with social issues.
9. Develop a sense of competence in the field of study through research experiences and written and oral communication of findings.

Four-Year Plan

A sample four-year plan for the Zoology major is provided, outlining the courses to be taken each semester. This plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major, and many factors can affect student degree planning.

Advising and Careers

The Zoology major is an excellent choice for students interested in an undergraduate research experience. Directed Studies allows students to gain experience in a wide range of research areas in biology and to learn research techniques that are not easily taught in the classroom. Students interested in doing in-depth research as undergraduates in an area of interest can elect to do a Senior Thesis or Senior Honors Thesis. SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn the academic skills learned in their classes into a fulfilling life, guiding them every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.