Biology, BS (L&S)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wisconsin Madison

Program Overview

The Biology, B.S. at the University of Wisconsin–Madison gives students a strong and well-rounded understanding of the biological sciences while allowing them to explore areas that match their interests and career goals. It is a good fit for students interested in research, healthcare, biotechnology, environmental science, or further study, with coursework covering biology alongside chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Freshman Year

Students begin by building the scientific and quantitative foundation they will need throughout the degree. Courses include CHEM 103 – General Chemistry I, CHEM 104 – General Chemistry II, MATH 221 – Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1, and STAT 371 – Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences, alongside broader university coursework.

Year 2 – Sophomore Year

The second year introduces students more deeply to biological science while continuing their chemistry studies. Key courses include BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 and 152 – Introductory Biology, CHEM 343 – Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 344 – Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory, and CHEM 345 – Organic Chemistry II.

Year 3 – Junior Year

Students move into more advanced biological concepts and begin developing knowledge in specific areas of the major. Coursework can include foundation subjects such as Introduction to Biochemistry, Principles of Genetics, General Genetics 2, or Microbial Genetics & Molecular Machines, together with upper-level biology courses and PHYSICS 103 and 104 – General Physics.

Year 4 – Senior Year

The final year gives students greater freedom to focus on advanced topics that support their academic and career interests. Options include courses such as Concepts in Genomics, Principles of Human Disease and Biotechnology, Clinical Cases in Medical Genetics, Molecular Ecology, Environmental Data Science, and General Bioinformatics for Microbiologists, along with opportunities for laboratory, field, directed-study, or thesis research.

Focus Areas

Cellular and Molecular Biology, Organismal Biology, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, Applied Biology, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Genetics, Genomics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Environmental Biology, Physiology, Wildlife Biology, Conservation, Evolutionary Biology.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop a strong understanding of key biological concepts such as evolution, structure and function, biological information, energy and matter transformations, and biological systems. They also build practical skills in scientific problem-solving, laboratory work, quantitative analysis, communication, teamwork, and connecting biological science with other disciplines and society.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Biology, B.S. is a biological sciences degree rather than a professionally accredited engineering program. Its broad curriculum provides strong preparation for graduate study, research careers, biotechnology and other biological science fields, as well as professional pathways such as medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

UW–Madison reports strong graduate outcomes across the university, with 62.1% of graduates employed after graduation and 93% of graduates seeking employment, service, or military positions accepting a position within six months in the 2024–2025 First Destination Survey. The university also reports that 26.6% of graduates were admitted to graduate school, demonstrating the strong progression opportunities available to students who want to continue their education.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biology, B.S. at the University of Wisconsin–Madison gives students many opportunities to develop practical skills through laboratory investigations, independent research, fieldwork, and hands-on scientific projects. The program requires students to complete additional laboratory or field research, directed study, or a two-semester thesis, so they can apply biological concepts through real scientific work rather than relying only on classroom learning.

Students also learn how to design experiments, collect and evaluate their own data, use quantitative methods, communicate scientific findings, and work collaboratively. Through the Department of Integrative Biology, students can engage with research covering areas from molecular biology to ecosystems and explore experiences that match their academic and career interests:

Introductory Biology Laboratories: BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151–152 provides hands-on laboratory experience where students develop hypotheses, design methods, conduct experiments, collect data, analyze results, and communicate their findings.
Independent Research Projects: Students can complete a semester-long independent project through the introductory biology sequence, investigating a research question and presenting their findings using scientific methods.
Laboratory and Field Research: The Biology B.S. includes a practical research requirement that can be completed through an additional laboratory or field course, directed study, or a two-semester thesis.
Directed Research: Students can undertake independent study and research through courses such as BIOLOGY 699 – Directed Studies, BOTANY 699 – Directed Study, BMOLCHEM 699 – Special Research Problems, and COMP BIO 699 – Directed Study.
Advanced Laboratory Experience: Upper-level courses provide laboratory opportunities across cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology, ecology, evolution, and applied biology.
Research and Thesis: Students interested in extended research can complete a two-semester thesis in biological science, allowing them to investigate a topic in greater depth.
Quantitative and Data Skills: Courses such as STAT 240 – Data Science Modeling I, STAT 301 – Introduction to Statistical Methods, STAT 324 – Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering, and STAT 371 – Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences help students develop practical data-analysis skills.
Field-Based Learning: Students can choose approved field courses and field research within the major, giving them opportunities to study biological systems outside the traditional classroom and laboratory environment.
Faculty Research: The Department of Integrative Biology includes more than 40 faculty and affiliated faculty whose research ranges from molecular biology to organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems.
Scientific Teamwork: Teamwork is part of the program's learning outcomes, alongside scientific problem-solving, laboratory skills, quantitative analysis, and written and verbal communication.
Research Opportunities: Students can explore mentored research opportunities with faculty, with some opportunities allowing students to receive academic credit or paid research experience.
Study Abroad: UW–Madison offers more than 300 study-abroad programs in over 80 countries, giving Biology students opportunities to complement their academic studies with international learning experiences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biology, B.S. at the University of Wisconsin–Madison gives graduates a flexible foundation for careers in healthcare, life sciences, research, biotechnology, government, and other science-related fields. It also provides a strong starting point for students who want to continue into graduate or professional education, including medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, and advanced biological sciences.

Typical career paths include Research Assistant, Clinical Research Coordinator, Laboratory Scientist, and Life Sciences Professional. Graduates can also move into areas such as healthcare, higher education, research, government, biomanufacturing, and other sectors where strong biological and scientific skills are valued.

Career development and progression opportunities:

Career support: SuccessWorks in the College of Letters & Science provides career advising, internship guidance, career events, and opportunities to connect with employers and alumni. Biology students can also access resources specifically designed to help them find jobs, internships, and research opportunities.
Employment and internship opportunities: UW–Madison's career platform, Handshake, gives students access to job and internship opportunities, employer events, and career resources that can help them move from university into the workplace.
Biology graduate outcomes: According to the Biology Major, around 50% of recent graduates entered employment, while 47% continued into education or graduate school. Graduates have progressed into healthcare, higher education, life sciences, information technology, government, research, nonprofit organizations, biomanufacturing, and finance.
University-wide employment outcomes: UW–Madison's 2024–2025 First Destination Survey reported that 62.1% of graduates were employed after graduation, while 93% of graduates seeking employment, service, or military positions accepted a position within six months. The university also reported a $73,000 median full-time salary for recent graduates across the institution.
Employer connections: UW–Madison graduates have been hired by thousands of organizations. Recent employers reported by the university include UW Health, Epic, the State of Wisconsin, Techtronic Industries, and the Madison Metropolitan School District. These figures represent university-wide employment outcomes rather than Biology-specific employer partnerships.
Research preparation: Students can gain research experience through faculty-led research, laboratory work, directed study, and thesis opportunities. This practical background can strengthen applications for research positions, graduate programs, and professional schools.
Long-term value: The Biology B.S. is not a professionally licensed or engineering-accredited degree. Its long-term value comes from the broad biological knowledge, laboratory experience, quantitative skills, research opportunities, and flexibility it provides for different scientific and professional pathways.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can either enter the workforce or continue their education. The program particularly supports progression into graduate study in biology and related life sciences, as well as professional pathways such as medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Biology, B.S., students can continue into master's and doctoral programs in areas such as biology, genetics, microbiology, ecology, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, conservation, and related life-science disciplines. Students interested in healthcare can also progress to professional programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, or dentistry, building on the scientific, laboratory, and research skills developed during the bachelor's degree.