department-of-biological-sciences

Biological Sciences

Chairperson: Michelle Mynlieff, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences website

The Department of Biological Sciences offers or participates in five different majors, four which lead to a B.S. degree and one which leads to a B.A. degree. In addition, the Biological Sciences major has four concentrations. The purpose of all of these degree programs is to provide instruction in the diverse disciplines that make up modern biology. A major emphasis of these degree programs is to familiarize students with the practice of designing, performing and analyzing biological experiments; toward this goal, stand-alone laboratory courses taught by faculty are a central component of the curriculum for each major. The degree programs teach students critical thinking skills and prepare them for a wide variety of careers including medicine, dentistry, research, biotechnology, pharmacy/pharmacology, public health, and environmental and sustainability studies.

Majors in the Department

Biological Sciences

The Biological Sciences major offers a comprehensive exploration of biology, which can be pursued either as a broad major in biology (i.e. with no specific concentration area selected) or with the flexibility to pursue one of four concentrations: Genetics, Genomics and Developmental Biology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Molecular and Cellular Biology; or Neurobiology, Physiology & Animal Behavior. Students majoring in Biological Sciences can apply for the Disciplinary Honors Program in Biological Sciences which provides experiential learning opportunities such as independent research, internships, research-based laboratory courses and accompanying seminars.

The Biological Sciences major has modified three-year requirements for pre-dental scholars entering the Marquette University Dental School, pre-PT students entering Marquette University Physical Therapy program, and for students accepted into the early assurance PharmD program at the Medical College of Wisconsin. These students enter their graduate program after three years of study in their Biological Sciences major and can earn a B.S. after the successful completion of the first year of their graduate studies.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BIMB) is offered jointly with the Department of Chemistry. Courses in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, physical chemistry and quantitative analysis allow students to understand both complex biological phenomena and the underlying chemical mechanisms. Students majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology can apply for the Disciplinary Honors Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, which provides experiential learning opportunities such as independent research, internships, research-based laboratory courses and accompanying seminars.

Biological Sciences for Education

Students in the College of Education with a desire to teach high school biology can earn a B.S. degree with a second major, Biological Sciences for Education.

Interdisciplinary Majors

Environmental Science

The interdisciplinary major in Environmental Science (ENSC) leads to a B.S. degree and integrates a fundamental understanding of the ecology of natural ecosystems and the processes by which humans influence, exploit, evaluate, conserve and restore their environment. The main goals for this major are to develop new knowledge in environmental science, educate students in the fundamental ecological and physical processes that govern the environment, train leaders who can identify and solve complex environmental problems and to educate students to help restore and sustain a healthy planet using an evidence-based approach.

Environmental Studies

The interdisciplinary major in Environmental Studies (INES) leads to a B.A. degree and prepares students to address pressing environmental issues using an interdisciplinary approach. The curriculum of this major allows students to understand the science of the environment and the political, social, economic, philosophical and ethical issues related to restoring and protecting the environment. This is an ideal major for students who intend to pursue a career that focuses on the environment (e.g., environmental management, restoration, mitigation, consulting, policy, economics), or who intend to pursue graduate or professional school in environmental science, law, business, policy, economics, philosophy, theology or ethics.

Direct Admit Program to Physical Therapy

Undergraduate students who have been admitted directly into the six year doctor of physical therapy degree program may complete a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Animal Behavior. Physical therapy courses taken in the fourth year count towards the B.S. in Biological Sciences.

Pre-dental Scholars

Students are directly admitted to the Pre-dental Scholars Program or accepted into the program after their freshman year. In this program, students complete three years of courses in the College of Arts and Sciences for a minimum of 96-97 credits (depending on courses) by the end of the third year. The fourth year of the program consists of Dental School course requirements, which typically consist of approximately 44 credit hours and are counted toward the B.S. in Biological Sciences.

Early Assurance PharmD Program with a Major in Biological Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences has partnered with the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy to offer a 3+3 program allowing students to obtain a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, spending three years on each campus. Students apply to the program in the freshman or sophomore year and courses taken in the first year of the pharmacy program count towards the B.S. in Biological Sciences.

B.S./M.B.A. Accelerated Degree Programs

The Department of Biological Sciences together with the Graduate School of Management offers an accelerated degree program which allow students to earn their B.S. in any of our majors and a master of business administration (M.B.A.), all within a five-year time period.

Notes

  • With recent changes to the MCAT exam, pre-health majors are advised to take the following courses as part of their undergraduate program: BIOL 3101 Biochemistry and the Molecular Basis of Biology, MATH 4740 Biostatistical Methods and Models, PSYC 1001 General Psychology and SOCI 1001 Principles of Sociology.