Biology - Aquatic Science Curriculum
Students who pursue a Biology Major with an Aquatic Science Concentration must complete 120 credits, the university General Education requirements, the core requirements for the Biology Major, and the specific courses required for the Aquatic Science Concentration. The Biology section of the undergraduate course catalog can be found here.
GENERAL EDUCATION
General Education
is the common educational experience required of all undergraduates. Courses (48 credits) are selected in categories such as literacy, math and logical systems, science, social studies, arts and humanities, and physical well-being. The knowledge and skills acquired in the broad base of academic study prepare you to enter society with the ability to question, think and act independently. The UW-L General Education guidelines can be found here.
COLLEGE CORE
The Biology Department is housed in the College of Science and Health and the college has additional requirements that must be satisfied. Most of these requirements are already met by the Biology or Aquatic Science requirements, however it is important to note that for a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree each student must earn:
- A minor (or a second major) from any college. -OR-
- A total of 18 credits at the 300 or 400 level in courses outside the major department from any college. Internship credits generally do not count toward this college core option.
Common minors for those majoring in Aquatic Science include chemistry, mathematics, statistics, microbiology, Geography/GIS, and environmental studies, but any minor will satisfy the requirement.
BIOLOGY
MAJOR
Several courses are required for all Biology Majors regardless of concentration, these courses are:
| BIO 105 | General Biology (4) |
| BIO 203 | Organismal Biology (4) |
| BIO 306 | Genetics (4) |
| BIO 307 | Ecology (3) |
| BIO 315 | Cell Biology (4) |
| BIO 491 | Capstone Seminar in Biology (1) |
| CHM 103 & 104 | Gen Chemistry I & II (10) |
CHM 300 or |
Organic Chemistry (5 or 8) |
| MTH 145 | Elementary Statistics (4) |
AQUATIC CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to all of the requirements above, four other courses are required plus an additional 12 elective credits. The additional required courses are:
| BIO 341 | Limnology (3) |
| MIC 230 | Fundamentals of Microbiology (4) |
| CHM 301 | Analytical Chemistry (5) |
| MTH 175 or 207 | Calculus (4 or 5) |
Of the 12 elective credits, at least 8 credits must come from List I, remaining credits may come from List I or List II.
| Elective List I | |
| BIO 405 | Aquatic and Wetland Vascular Plants (2) |
| BIO 414 | Freshwater Invertebrate Zoology (3) |
| BIO 422 | Ichthyology (3) |
| BIO 447 | Standard Methods and Quality Assurance of Water Analyses (3) |
| BIO 464 | Stream & Watershed Ecology (3) |
| BIO 473 | Marine Biology (3) |
| MIC 434 | Aquatic Microbial Ecology (3) |
| Elective List II | |
| BIO 406 | Parasitology (4) |
| BIO 419 | Quantitative Methods in Ecology (3) |
| BIO 421 | Comparative Vertebrate Endocrinology (3) |
| BIO 441 | Environmental Toxicology (3) |
| BIO 458 | Comparative Animal Physiology (3) |
| BIO 476 | Ecosystem Ecology (3) |
| BIO 499 | Independent Research (up to 2 cr.) |
Example Schedule
This example schdedule incorporates a Chemistry Minor and assumes the student has an initial math placement into MTH 151: Pre Calculus. Courses marked with an asterisk (*) are included to meet General Education requirements and other equivilant courses may be taken in many instances. Courses marked with a plus symbol (+) are Aquatic Science electives and may be substituted with other electives as listed above.
Year 1
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 105: General Biology (4) | BIO 203: Organismal Biology (4) |
| CHM 103: General Chemistry I (5) | CHM 104: General Chemistry II (5) |
| ENV 201: Introduction to Environmental Studies (3)* | MTH 145: Elementary Statistics (4) |
| ENG 110: College Writing I (3)* | CS 101: Introduction to Computing (3)* |
| UWL 100: First Year Student Seminar (1)* | |
| 16 Credits | 16 Credits |
Year 2
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 341: Limnology (3) | BIO 307: Ecology (3) |
| MTH 151: Pre Calculus (4) | CHM 301: Analytical Chemistry (5) |
| MIC 230: Fundamentals of Microbiology (4) | MTH 207: Calculus I (5) |
| THA 110: Theater Appreciation (2)* | CST 110: Communicating Effectively (3)* |
| Electives (2 credits) | |
| 15 Credits | 16 Credits |
Year 3
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 306: Genetics (4) | BIO 464: Stream & Watershed Ecology (3)+ |
| BIO 422: Ichthyology (3)+ | CHM 303: Organic Chemistry II (3) |
| CHM 303: Organic Chemistry I (3) | CHM 303: Organic Chemistry Lab (2) |
| EFN 205: Understanding Human Differences (3)* | ENG 201: American Literature I (3)* |
| GEO 102: Maps and Society (3)* | ART 102: Art Appreciation (2)* |
| 16 Credits | 13 Credits |
Year 4
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 307: Cell Biology (4) | BIO 447: Standard Methods and Quality Assurance of Water Analyses (3)+ |
| BIO 414: Freshwater Invertebrate Zoology (3)+ | BIO 491: Capstone Seminar in Biology (1) |
| BIO 405: Aquatic and Wetland Vascular Plants (2)+ | CHM 412: Environmental Chemistry (3) |
| HIS 101: Global Origins of the Modern World (3)* | Electives (6 credits) |
| HPR 105: Creating a Healthy Active Lifestyle (3)* | |
| 15 Credits | 13 Credits |
For further information, contact:
Dr. Eric A. Strauss, Aquatic Science Advisor
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse, WI 54601
2033 Cowley Hall; Telephone: (608) 785-8262
e-mail: estrauss@uwlax.edu