Program Overview

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Zoology, BS

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.

How to Get in

• No application required.
• All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare.
• Courses required to get in: None
• GPA requirements to get in: None
• Credits required to get in: None
• Other: None

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 Science (BS)

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science 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 the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.

Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

• Mathematics: Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement.
• Language: Complete the third unit of a language other than English.
• L&S Breadth: Complete:
  • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include at least 6 credits of Literature; and
  • 12 credits of Social Science; and
  • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include 6 credits of Biological Science and 6 credits of Physical Science.
• Liberal Arts and Science Coursework: Complete at least 108 credits.
• Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework: 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: Complete both:
  • 30 credits in residence, overall, and
  • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit.
• Quality of Work:
  • 2.000 in all coursework at UWMadison
  • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UWMadison

Requirements for the Major

Math, Chemistry & Physics

Complete the following courses:

• Math: Complete one of the following options:
  • MATH 112 & MATH 113: College Algebra and Trigonometry
  • MATH 114: Precalculus
  • MATH 171 & MATH 217: Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry I and Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II
  • MATH 211: Survey of Calculus 1
• Chemistry: Complete one of the following options:
  • CHEM 103 & CHEM 104: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II
  • CHEM 109: Advanced General Chemistry
• Physics: Complete one of the following options:
  • PHYSICS 103 & PHYSICS 104: General Physics and General Physics
  • PHYSICS 201 & PHYSICS 202: General Physics and General Physics
  • PHYSICS 207 & PHYSICS 208: General Physics and General Physics Total Credits: 17-29

Biology and Zoology

Complete 30 credits from the sections below.

Introductory Biology

Complete one of the following options:

• Option 1: Introductory Biology
  • ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 151 & ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 152: Introductory Biology and Introductory Biology
• Option 2: BIOCOREcomplete both:
  • BIOCORE 381 & BIOCORE 382: Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics and Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory
  • BIOCORE 383 & BIOCORE 384: Cellular Biology and Cellular Biology Laboratory
• Option 3: Animal Biology 1
  • ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 & ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 102: Animal Biology and Animal Biology Laboratory Total Credits: 5-10

Electives

Complete courses from the following list:

• 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
• ZOOLOGY/ENVIR ST 315: Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources
• ZOOLOGY 316: Laboratory for Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources
• ZOOLOGY 320: Field Marine Biology
• ZOOLOGY 335: Human/Animal Relationships: Biological and Philosophical Issues
• ZOOLOGY/ENTOM/M M & I/PATH-BIO 350: Parasitology
• ZOOLOGY/ENVIR ST/F&W ECOL 360: Extinction of Species
• ZOOLOGY 370: General Molecular Biology
• ZOOLOGY/ENTOM 371: Medical Entomology: Biology of Vector and Vector-borne Diseases
• ZOOLOGY 400: Topics in Biology
• ZOOLOGY 401: Topics in Biology
• ZOOLOGY 405: Introduction to Museum Studies in the Natural Sciences
• ZOOLOGY/ANTHRO/BOTANY 410: Evolutionary Biology
• ZOOLOGY 415: Genetics of Human History
• ZOOLOGY 425: Behavioral Ecology
• ZOOLOGY 430: Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates
• ZOOLOGY/BOTANY 450: Midwestern Ecological Issues: A Case Study Approach
• ZOOLOGY/BOTANY/F&W ECOL 460: General Ecology
• ZOOLOGY 470: Introduction to Animal Development
• ZOOLOGY/BOTANY/ENTOM 473: Plant-Insect Interactions
• ZOOLOGY 500: Undergraduate Neurobiology Seminar
• ZOOLOGY/ENVIR ST 510: Ecology of Fishes
• ZOOLOGY/ENVIR ST 511: Ecology of Fishes Lab
• ZOOLOGY/BOTANY/ENVIR ST/F&W ECOL 516: Conservation Biology
• ZOOLOGY/AN SCI/F&W ECOL 520: Ornithology
• ZOOLOGY/AN SCI/F&W ECOL 521: Birds of Southern Wisconsin
• ZOOLOGY/PSYCH 523: Neurobiology
• ZOOLOGY/GEOSCI 542: Invertebrate Paleontology
• ZOOLOGY 555: Laboratory in Developmental Biology
• ZOOLOGY/F&W ECOL/LAND ARC 565: Principles of Landscape Ecology
• ZOOLOGY 570: Cell Biology
• ZOOLOGY 603: Endocrinology
• ZOOLOGY 604: Computer-based Gene and Disease/Disorder Research Lab
• ZOOLOGY 611: Comparative and Evolutionary Physiology
• ZOOLOGY 612: Comparative Physiology Laboratory
• ZOOLOGY/ANTHRO/PSYCH 619: Biology of Mind
• ZOOLOGY 620: Neuroethology Seminar
• ZOOLOGY/ENTOM/GENETICS 624: Molecular Ecology
• ZOOLOGY 655: Modeling Neurodevelopmental Disease
• ZOOLOGY/F&W ECOL 660: Climate Change Ecology
• ZOOLOGY/BOTANY/F&W ECOL 672: Historical Ecology
• ZOOLOGY/NEURODPT/PSYCH 674: Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Seminar
• ZOOLOGY 677: Internship in Ecology
• ZOOLOGY 681 & ZOOLOGY 682: Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis
• ZOOLOGY 691 & ZOOLOGY 692: Senior Thesis and Senior Thesis
• ZOOLOGY 698: Directed Study
• ZOOLOGY 699: Directed Studies in Zoology
• ANAT&PHY 335: Physiology 1
• ANAT&PHY 338: Human Anatomy Laboratory
• ANTHRO 458: Primate Behavioral Ecology
• ANTHRO 668: Primate Conservation
• BIOCHEM 501: Introduction to Biochemistry
• BIOCHEM 507: General Biochemistry I
• BOTANY 330: Algae
• ENTOM 331: Taxonomy of Mature Insects
• ENTOM 450: Basic and Applied Insect Ecology
• ENVIR ST/LAND ARC 361: Wetlands Ecology
• ENVIR ST 375: Field Ecology Workshop
• F&W ECOL 306: Terrestrial Vertebrates: Life History and Ecology
• F&W ECOL/SURG SCI 548: Diseases of Wildlife
• GENETICS 466: Principles of Genetics
• GENETICS 545: Genetics Laboratory
• MICROBIO 303: Biology of Microorganisms
• MICROBIO 304: Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory
• MICROBIO 345: Introduction to Disease Biology
• M M & I 341: Immunology
• M M & I/PATH-BIO 528: Immunology
• PSYCH 449: Animal Behavior
• PSYCH 450: Primate Psychology: Insights into Human Behavior
• PSYCH 454: Behavioral Neuroscience
• PSYCH 513: Hormones, Brain, and Behavior Total Credits: 20-25

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 (above) 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. Select 6 credits from ZOOLOGY 300-680 or approved non-ZOOLOGY subject courses.
• Complete ZOOLOGY 681 and ZOOLOGY 682, for a total of 6 credits.

University Degree Requirements

• Total Degree: To receive a bachelor's degree from UWMadison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits.
• Residency: Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UWMadison.
• Quality of Work: Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing.

Learning Outcomes

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

This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests.

Freshman

• Fall:
  • CHEM 103 or 109: General Chemistry I or Advanced General Chemistry
  • MATH 112, 114, or 171: College Algebra, Precalculus, or Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry I
  • Communication A1
  • Foreign Language (if required)
• Spring:
  • CHEM 104: General Chemistry II
  • MATH 113 or 217: Trigonometry or Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II
  • L&S Breadth
  • Social Science Breadth Total Credits: 28-30

Sophomore

• Fall:
  • ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 151: Introductory Biology
  • Ethnic Studies
  • INTER-LS 210
  • Social Science Breadth
  • Elective
• Spring:
  • ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 152: Introductory Biology
  • L&S Breadth
  • Elective Total Credits: 30-32

Junior

• Fall:
  • PHYSICS 103, 201, or 207: General Physics
  • I/A COMP SCI, MATH, or STAT (if required for the BS)
  • I/A ZOOLOGY
  • Elective
• Spring:
  • PHYSICS 104, 202, or 208: General Physics
  • I/A COMP SCI, MATH, or STAT (required for the BS)
  • I/A ZOOLOGY
  • L&S Breadth Total Credits: 30-32

Senior

• Fall:
  • I/A ZOOLOGY
  • Elective
  • L&S Breadth
  • Elective
• Spring:
  • I/A ZOOLOGY
  • I/A ZOOLOGY
  • Elective
  • Social Science Breadth Total Credits: 30-32 Total Credits: 120

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. Such experiences allow students to make more informed decisions about their future goals and careers. Before students can enroll in Directed Study, they must set up an appointment with a professor/mentor of their choice.