Biological Sciences
College: College of Natural & Health Sciences
Student Organizations/Clubs:
Biology Club, Molecular Biology Club, Pre-Health Professions Club
Career Possibilities:
Health professional; research scientist; veterinary medicine; industrial research, development, quality control, product specialist; zoologist; botanist; ecologist; conservation biologist; naturalist.
Department Overview
Since the opening of the university in 1968, UW-Parkside’s Biological Sciences Department has developed and maintained an outstanding program with a strong track record of preparing graduates for successful careers in the life sciences. The department attracts many quality students from diverse backgrounds and has a robust research culture covering a wide array of specializations, making it an ideal environment for students ready to explore the fascinating world around them while also preparing for one of the many career options available to graduates our program.
The Biological Sciences faculty is committed to the teacher-scholar model and our pedagogy emphasizes quality teaching, hands-on experience with modern methods and direct involvement of undergraduate students in research. The department maintains active research facilities with both state-of-the-art instrumentation for indoor benchwork, but also a network of managed natural areas to provide research opportunities in biodiversity and environmental science.
The department offers two majors. The biological sciences major is appropriate for students with a general interest in biology and would be appropriate for most students interested in careers in medicine, field biology or laboratory work. The molecular biology and bioinformatics major is designed for students who wish to specialize in this cutting-edge and rapidly growing field. Both majors are appropriate for students preparing for the health professions or research careers; consult with the pre-health advisors for advice relating to your specific career goals.
The department supports several student organizations: Biology Club, Molecular Biology Club, and the Pre-Health Professions Club. These clubs promote learning and career preparation outside the formal classroom. Activities include field trips, guest lectures, mentoring, and social activities. See your academic advisor or contact the department office for information about how to become involved.
The biological sciences program greatly values collaboration across departments. In addition to general education courses, we offer core and elective courses for several other majors and programs including applied health sciences, nursing, biochemistry, environmental studies, and several pre-professional programs.
Departmental Honors Program
Students completing a bachelor of science degree in either biological sciences or molecular biology and bioinformatics may earn departmental honors reflecting outstanding achievement in academics and research. To attain honors a student must have:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and a GPA of 3.5 or higher for all courses required within one of the majors,
- Minimum of four credits of BIOS 499 Independent Study,
- Successfully complete an oral or poster presentation detailing independent research accomplishments within BIOS 499 Independent Study,
- Successfully complete a written research thesis detailing independent research accomplishments within BIOS 499 Independent Study,
- Satisfactory completion of the above requirements must be evaluated and approved by a departmental committee composed of two biological sciences faculty members.
Students interested in completing departmental honors must file a biological sciences honor application with the department prior to their senior year.
Courses in Biological Sciences
BIOS 100 | Nature of Life | 3 cr
Explores nature of living things and current developments in biology. Designed specifically for non-science majors; not for credit toward biological sciences major. Three-hour lecture or online.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
Meets: Natural Science: BIOS
BIOS 101 | Bioscience | 4 cr
This course focuses on biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology. It is intended to provide a background upon which upper division courses will be built. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
Meets: Natural Science: BIOS
BIOS 102 | Organismal Biology | 4 cr
A broad introduction to the diversity of life, recognizing functional similarities and dissimilarities as related to successful adaptation to the environment. It is intended to provide a background upon which upper division courses will be built. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOS 103 | Human Biology | 3 cr
A general course which covers basic information about the human body. Designed specifically for non-science majors; not for credit toward biological sciences major. 3-hour lecture.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
Meets: Natural Science: BIOS
BIOS 104 | Environmental Science: Biological Approach | 3 cr
The study of the associations between human populations, biodiversity, resources, technology, lifestyles and environmental crisis from a biological approach. Meets DPI content requirement in environmental education; not for credit toward biological sciences major.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Summer.
Meets: Natural Science: BIOS
BIOS 105 | Human Physiology and Anatomy I | 5 cr
An integrated lecture/laboratory course using a system approach to understand structure and function of the human body. Topics include homeostasis, biological and chemical principles, tissues, skin, skeleton, muscles and digestion, and includes cat dissection and cadaver demonstration. Three-hour lecture; two-hour discussion; two-hour lab.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOS 106 | Human Physiology and Anatomy II | 5 cr
A continuation of BIOS 105; focusing on the nervous, immune, circulatory, respiratory, urinary, endocrine and reproductive systems. Not for credit toward biological sciences major. Three-hour lecture; two-hour discussion; two-hour lab.
Prerequisites: BIOS 105.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOS 109 | Biology of Aging | 3 cr
Introduces the process of human aging. Explains fundamental principles of human physiology and how it relates to successful aging. Includes student team presentations.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Spring.
Meets: Natural Science: BIOS
BIOS 114 | Freshmen Seminar in Biological/Health Sciences | 1 cr
Overview of education, careers, and potential growth opportunities in health-related fields and biological sciences. Not for credit towards biological sciences major. Two-hour lecture.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Fall.
BIOS 125 | Fundamentals of Freshwater | 3 cr
Covers the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of water required to understand contemporary economic, political, and environmental water issues through local, national, and international scopes. Three-hour lecture.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Spring.
Meets: Natural Science: ENVS
BIOS 190 | Fundamentals of Human Nutrition | 2 cr
A study of requirements and functions of essential nutrients throughout life. Cultural influences on food habits and the basis for diet assessment will also be discussed. Recommended for UW-Milwaukee nursing students. Not for credit toward biological sciences major. Two-hour lecture.
Offered: Spring.
BIOS 202 | General Microbiology | 4 cr
Explores structure, growth, reproduction, and activities of microorganisms including medical applications. Covers isolation and propagation of bacteria. Not for credit toward biological sciences major/minor. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab.
Offered: Fall.
BIOS 207 | Research Process in Biology | 2 cr
Introduces the methods of scientific inquiry and the skills needed to be productive in a research environment. Fosters a dynamic perspective of science, where ongoing observation, experimentation and interpretation continuously shape understanding.
Offered: Fall.
BIOS 210 | Biostatistics | 4 cr
Introduces quantitative methods of scientific inference used in the analysis and design of biological observations and experiments. Topics include measurement, sampling, descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, correlation, regression, and analysis of frequencies. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOS 260 | General Genetics | 4 cr
Explains fundamental principles including transmission, molecular and population genetics. Introduces lab techniques for investigating organisms including microorganisms, plants, lower animals and humans. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOS 290 | Special Topics in Biological Sciences | 1-4 cr
Selected topics in the biological sciences. May repeat with different topic.
Prerequisites: Varies with topic.
Offered: Occasionally.
BIOS 300 | Human Functional Anatomy | 4 cr
Fundamental study of organization and structure of tissues, organs and systems of the human body and their relationship to function. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOS 301 | Cell Biology | 3 cr
Studies cells and cellular organelles. Emphasizes the relationship between cellular and macromolecular structure and function. Three-hour lecture and one-hour discussion.
Offered: Spring (odd years).
BIOS 303 | Microbiology | 4 cr
Advanced treatment of the structure, growth and activities of microorganisms including medical microbiology, microbial pathogenesis and environmental microbiology. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 503.
Prerequisites: BIOS 260 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Spring.
BIOS 305 | Principles of Ecology | 4 cr
Introduces the relations of plants and animals to their organic and inorganic environments emphasizing phenomena and causes of distribution and abundance at the population and community levels. Includes a field-oriented laboratory. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab; field trips. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 505.
Offered: Fall (odd years).
BIOS 307 | Biochemical Metabolism | 3 cr
A study of the chemistry of biological systems with emphasis on metabolism and macromolecular biosynthesis. Three-hour lecture. Cross-listed with: CHEM 307.
Offered: Fall.
BIOS 309 | Molecular Biology | 3 cr
Study of DNA, RNA, and Proteins; the regulation or their synthesis; and the important roles they have in cells and organisms. Three-hour lecture/discussion. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 509.
Offered: Spring.
BIOS 310 | Freshwater Ecology | 4 cr
Examines fundamental concepts in freshwater ecology, including the physical and chemical aspects of water and the significance of these properties for plants and animals at the individual, population and community levels. Includes experimental research and field surveys. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 510.
Prerequisites: BIOS 101, BIOS 102, BIOS 210 (concurrent enrollment) or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Offered: Fall (even years).
BIOS 311 | Parasitology | 4 cr
Investigates the biology, ecology, classification, and significance of parasitic animals of humans and wildlife in Southeast Wisconsin. Includes host-parasite interactions, distribution of parasites throughout the world and examination of parasite life cycles and transmission. Three-hour lecture; three-hour laboratory.
Offered: Fall (odd years).
BIOS 313 | Invertebrate Zoology | 4 cr
Explores the diversity, distribution, ecology, and evolutionary relationships of nonchordate animals, emphasizing Arthropoda. Includes experimental research and field surveys. Three-hour lecture; Three-hour lab.
Offered: Fall (even years).
BIOS 314 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 cr
Introduces basic mechanisms of evolutionary change including population genetics and speciation. Considers evolutionary history including phylogenetic estimation, the fossil record, and biogeography. Three-hour lecture. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 514.
Offered: Spring.
BIOS 317 | Developmental Biology | 3 cr
Study of developmental anatomy and molecular mechanisms of development among representative vertebrate models from cleavage through organogenesis. Three-hour lecture.
Offered: Spring.
BIOS 318 | Vertebrate Zoology | 4 cr
An introduction to the biology of vertebrates with emphasis on structure, diversity, evolution, and distribution. Field trips. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab.
Offered: Fall.
BIOS 324 | Botany | 4 cr
Studies the plant kingdom through the lens of ecology and evolution, emphasizing economic and cultural uses. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab. Requires lab fees.
Offered: Spring (even years).
BIOS 329 | Paleontology | 3 cr
Applies principles, practices, and procedures to important fossil invertebrate groups; generalized discussion of plants and vertebrates; elements of biostratigraphy; paleoenvironmental interpretations. Field trips. Two-hour lecture; two-hour lab. Cross-listed with: GEOS 309.
Offered: Spring.
BIOS 330 | Topics in Field Biology: | 3 cr
A field-oriented course including topics such as ecology of major biomes, geographical and geological impact on organisms, aspects of plant/animal systematics. The course will focus on selected areas of interest in field biology. Field trips. Special fees required. One-hour lecture.
Offered: Occasionally.
BIOS 333 | Restoration Ecology | 4 cr
Explores the diversity, distribution, ecology, and evolutionary relationships of nonchordate animals, with an emphasis on Arthropoda. Includes experimental research and field surveys. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab.
Offered: Occasionally.
BIOS 336 | Conservation Ecology | 3 cr
Examines the fundamental ecological and cultural drivers of the biodiversity crisis emphasizing proven strategies for maintaining and improving ecological diversity in our local and regional ecosystems. Three-hour lecture. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 536.
Offered: Spring (odd years).
BIOS 340 | Animal Behavior | 4 cr
Emphasizes the evolution and complexity of animal behaviors based on a variety of animal species from invertebrates to mammals. Three-hour lecture; three hour lab.
Prerequisites: BIOS 210.
Offered: Fall (even years).
BIOS 341 | Mammalian Physiology | 3 cr
Advanced treatment of major mammalian organ systems and their roles in homeostasis.
Offered: Fall.
BIOS 342 | Mammalian Physiology Laboratory | 1 cr
Uses models, computer programs, and experiments to examine major mammalian organ systems and their role in homeostasis. Three-hour laboratory.
Offered: Fall.
BIOS 344 | Plant Physiology | 3 cr
Examines plant growth, development and nutrition form the physiology point of view. Includes aspects of plants in food production, the environment and human health.
Offered: Occasionally.
BIOS 351 | Virology | 3 cr
Presents a broad overview of viruses and other subcellular infectious agents with respect to their molecular structure, diversity of chemical composition, taxonomy, and strategies of infection and replication. Bacteriophage, plant viruses, and animal viruses will be discussed. Special topics include biotechnological applications of viruses, the remodeling of their hosts by bacteriophage, defense against viral infection, and viruses and cancer.
Offered: Occasionally.
BIOS 355 | Biology of Cancer | 3 cr
Explores the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the broad disease of cancer. Three-hour lecture/discussion.
Offered: Fall (even years).
BIOS 390 | Special Topics in Bioiological Sciences | 1-4 cr
Selected topics in the biological sciences. May repeat with different topic.
Prerequisites: Varies with topic.
Offered: Occasionally.
BIOS 411 | Microbial Physiology and Diversity | 3 cr
Explores diverse molecular mechanisms of microbial physiology. Topics include microbial regulation of gene expression, metabolism, behavior, symbiosis, and applications to biotechnology. Three-hour lecture/discussion. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 611.
Prerequisites: BIOS 303 or consent of instructor.
BIOS 414 | Molecular Evolution | 3 cr
Examines the evolution of nucleic acids and proteins. Five major topics: genetic variability; the causes of molecular evolution and the neutral theory; methods of detecting genetic variability; the use of molecular markers for estimating phylogeny; and the evolution of genome structure. Three-hour lecture/discussion. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 614.
Offered: Occasionally.
BIOS 435 | Experimental Methods/Biochemistry Laboratory | 2 cr
Familiarization with the use of scientific instruments and techniques, and developing proficiency in the process of scientific investigation. This is a capstone course intended for Biological Sciences majors who have completed all 200-level core courses. Four-hour lab. Cross-listed with: CHEM 308.
Prerequisites: CHEM 322 and consent of instructor.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOS 436 | Conservation Ecology Lab | 2 cr
Provides practical experience applying the theories from general ecology and conservation ecology toward developing strategies for protecting and enhancing ecological diversity. Emphasizes mastering the multi-dimensional methods, tools and skills needed by modern conservation professionals. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 636.
Offered: Spring (odd years).
BIOS 445 | Research Methods in Ecology and Evolution | 2 cr
Provides a capstone experience in applied field and laboratory research. Includes sampling natural and experimental populations and ecological communities coupled with multivariate statistical and analytical methods commonly used in ecology and evolutionary biology. One-hour lecture; three-hour lab. Requires lab fees. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 645.
Prerequisites: BIOS 305, BIOS 310 or BIOS 314 (or concurrent enrollment), and consent of instructor.
Offered: Fall.
BIOS 453 | Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics of Nucleic Acids | 4 cr
Covers techniques and theory of nucleic acid isolation (DNA and RNA) and analysis including laboratory and computational methods. Includes common laboratory methods for isolating and characterizing nucleic acids. Eight hour lecture/lab. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 653.
Offered: Fall.
BIOS 455 | Protein Biochemistry and Bioinformatics | 4 cr
Provides practical experience in protein expression, purification, and characterization with emphasis on enzymology and use of computer programming for development of relevant bioinformatics applications. Eight-hour lecture/lab. Requires lab fee. Multi-career cross-listing: BIOS 655.
Offered: Spring.
BIOS 489 | Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Senior Project | 1 cr
Students work independently on a project, applying skills and knowledge acquired from previous course work. Students submit a written report and give a public, oral presentation of their project. May be repeated for maximum of 2 credits.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
BIOS 490 | Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences: | 1-4 cr
Selected topics in the biological sciences.
Prerequisites: Varies with topic.
Offered: Occasionally.
BIOS 494 | Internship | 1-3 cr
Provides learning experiences in which a student works with a sponsoring organization in either the public or private sector under the joint guidance of a member of the sponsoring organization and a faculty member. Graded credit/no credit. Maximum of 3 credits may be used toward elective credit in the major.
Prerequisites: BIOS 210, 2.80 GPA, consent of instructor and department chair.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
BIOS 495 | Senior Seminar | 1 cr
Each participant presents several seminars involving literature search, synthesis of research data, and organization into an effective oral presentation.
Prerequisites: Senior standing; instructor consent.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOS 499 | Independent Study | 1-3 cr
Student research performed under the supervision of a regular faculty member. A maximum of 3 credits can be used as electives towards the biological sciences major requirements.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and department chair; Junior standing and minimum 2.80 GPA in BIOS courses recommended.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.