About Biology
Life from molecules to ecosystems. Courses carry the BIOL subject code and are offered through the College of Science & Mathematics. Numbers below 300 are introductory, 300–499 advanced undergraduate, and 500 and above graduate. Prerequisites are enforced at registration.
How the sequence works
Of the 9 BIOL courses listed, 2 are introductory (numbers under 300), 3 are advanced undergraduate (300–499). 1 course has no prerequisite and is a reasonable first step. Later courses assume the earlier ones, so read prerequisites before you plan a term — they are enforced at registration and an override from the Biology department is the only way around them.
BIOL 1010 — General Biology 4 cr
Cells, energy, genetics, evolution, and the diversity of life for majors and pre-professional students, with lab.
Prerequisite: none.
BIOL 1020 — Organismal Biology 4 cr
Structure, function, and evolution across the kingdoms, with lab and field work.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1010.
BIOL 2100 — Genetics 4 cr
Transmission, molecular, and population genetics, with a problem-solving emphasis and lab.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1010.
BIOL 2300 — Cell Biology 3 cr
Membranes, organelles, the cytoskeleton, signaling, and the cell cycle.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1010, CHEM 1120.
BIOL 2500 — Ecology 4 cr
Populations, communities, ecosystems, and applied ecology, with field methods.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1020.
BIOL 3100 — Microbiology 4 cr
Microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, and ecology, and host–microbe interactions, with lab.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2300.
BIOL 3300 — Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 cr
Organization of the body, tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems, with lab.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1010.
BIOL 3400 — Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 cr
The endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems, with lab.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3300.
BIOL 4900 — Biology Capstone 2 cr
An independent research or literature project with a written report and a presentation.
Prerequisite: senior standing.
Planning and advising
Your degree audit shows exactly how BIOL courses apply to your requirements; this list only shows what is offered. If you are choosing between two courses, deciding when to take a heavy one, or wondering whether a course will run next term, your academic adviser can tell you. Course availability by term is set close to registration and is not guaranteed by anything on this page.
Fictional information
UW–Porter Falls is a work of parody. Every course, prerequisite, credit value, and department on this page is invented; nothing here describes a real curriculum or a course you can enroll in.