Program Overview

University of WisconsinMadison Biology Core Curriculum (BIOCORE)

The Biology Core Curriculum (BIOCORE) is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with a deep understanding of biological principles and their applications. The program is structured to foster critical thinking, scientific literacy, and effective communication skills.

Course Offerings

• BIOCORE 181 Becoming a Scientist: Doing Biology Research: This 2-credit course introduces students to biology research on campus, where they work in research teams to investigate novel research questions. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, experiment design, data analysis, and communication of findings.
• BIOCORE 381 Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics: A 3-credit course covering basic principles of ecology, genetics, and evolution. It explores the interrelations between individuals, populations, communities, ecosystems, and their environments, as well as the transmission of genetic information.
• BIOCORE 382 Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory: This 2-credit laboratory course is writing-intensive and includes ecology field trips and research projects focusing on genetics and evolution.
• BIOCORE 383 Cellular Biology: A 3-credit course that delves into the cellular and molecular basis of life, including the structure and function of cells and organelles, energy flow, and genetic information storage and expression.
• BIOCORE 384 Cellular Biology Laboratory: A 2-credit writing-intensive laboratory course where students generate and test questions utilizing concepts and procedures of cell biology.
• BIOCORE 401 Peer Mentoring: A 1-credit course that develops mentoring, group facilitation, leadership, and interpersonal skills used in peer learning and leading mentored study groups.
• BIOCORE 485 Principles of Physiology: This 3-credit course studies the physiology of plants and animals, including how they interact with their environments, obtain nutrients, exchange gases, and reproduce.
• BIOCORE 486 Principles of Physiology Laboratory: A 2-credit laboratory course where students collaborate on independent experiments to investigate questions about animal and plant physiology.
• BIOCORE 587 Biological Interactions: A 3-credit capstone course that builds on and integrates knowledge and skills gained in previous Biocore coursework through readings and analysis of primary scientific literature.
• BIOCORE 699 Directed Study: A 1-3 credit independent mentored study arranged with a faculty member.

Learning Outcomes

Across these courses, students can expect to achieve a variety of learning outcomes, including but not limited to:

• Applying scientific concepts and reasoning to solve problems in biology.
• Communicating effectively about science through writing and oral presentations.
• Working as a member of a productive, collaborative research team.
• Analyzing biological problems that require synthesizing knowledge about cellular structure, function, and genetics.
• Demonstrating scientific communication skills and the ability to translate scientific concepts to a broader community.

Program Structure and Requirements

The BIOCORE program is designed for undergraduate students and includes a series of interconnected courses that progressively build upon each other. Requirements for each course may include prerequisites, such as declared majors or completion of specific prior courses, and may vary in terms of credits, level (elementary, intermediate, advanced), and whether they count towards specific degree requirements or honors programs.

Conclusion

The Biology Core Curriculum at the University of WisconsinMadison offers a comprehensive and structured approach to learning biology, emphasizing research, critical thinking, and communication. Through its diverse range of courses, the program equips students with a deep understanding of biological principles and prepares them for careers in science, research, and beyond.