Biology is a dynamic field leading to many rewarding careers. The employment rate for biologists is high and expected to remain strong.
Majors:
Minor
Biology (BI.D.SUP.2022)
Biology, the study of living organisms and life processes, is the most all-encompassing of the sciences.
Faculty want you to use science effectively. Students participate in collaborative group work in introductory science courses. Students develop a real sense of the planning, the work, the excitement, and sometimes the frustration — the reality of doing science.
As students progress and refine and build upon the basic abilities, they continue to design and perform experiments in the laboratory and in the field. Students learn to use investigative projects to engage in the more complex work of making relationships and perceiving patterns.
In intermediate courses, students ask more in-depth questions. Students build and evaluate scientific models, showing how different biological concepts fit together — and subject these models to testing, practicing data collection and record keeping. Students strengthen their abilities through self-assessment, learning to be an independent judge of progress.
In advanced courses, students gain independence as a learner. They decide what approaches are appropriate for the problems being investigating and what statistical tests should be applied to answer your questions. Students learn the role of science in society and develop their own code of scientific ethics, preparing for a future as a professional biologist.
Biology is exciting because of is its diversity. A biologist might gather field samples, study the responses of human body to stress, or insert new genes into a microbe. Biologists seek to unravel the mystery of living organisms from the small molecules to large ecosystems. The biology curriculum is constantly evolving to ensure students have the knowledge and up-to-date skills to participate effectively in this fast-paced field.
Students focus on studies in one of several core areas leading to a variety of careers in fields like health care, industry, biotechnology, or research. Students apply biological knowledge to careers like science writing or environmental law.
Students master the essential toolkit of the professional scientist: how to communicate effectively about scientific phenomena, analyze data, apply frameworks from various fields of science, and solve problems through scientific investigation with accuracy and safety. The biomedical emphasis in this major — through courses such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology and Biochemistry — also help prepare for the Medical College Admission Test or other work in the health field.
The Career Studio office is connected to many partner sites to help students find the right opportunity to advance their goals. Past internships sites have included the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee County Health Department, Sigma Aldrich, the Water Technology Accelerator at the Global Water Center, and the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Many students move on to graduate from, medical or other professional health schools. Alverno graduates have gone on to study at the Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University, University of Minnesota and Butler University, among other schools. Other students choose to go straight into the workforce in research, industry or teaching.
After successfully completing the requirements for a Biology major, a student will be able to:
The Biology: Human Biology major is designed for a diverse group of students from future laboratory technicians to students interested in direct entry masters of nursing programs. The degree is suitable for students entering a physician assistant program or similar health related fields. The degree gives students a strong background in human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and human diseases. Students develop scientific research skills that enable them to objectively apply these abilities to the discipline and their community.
The Biology: Biomedical Science major is the foundation for students aspiring to attend medical school, dental school, veterinary school, or biomedical research. It allows students to combine coursework required for graduate, medical and other professional health schools in a flexible and efficient four-year program.
El-Sheikh, Amal, Professor of Biology, PhD, Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology, Medical Ethics, amal.el-sheikh@alverno.edu
Coss, Jenna, Physical Science Laboratory Manager, MS, General Chemistry and Biology, jenna.coss@alverno.edu
El-Sheikh, Amal, Professor of Biology, PhD, Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology, Medical Ethics, amal.el-sheikh@alverno.edu
Klingler, Rebekah, Associate Professor of Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Epidemiology, Public Health, rebekah.klingler@alverno.edu
Krueger, Megan, Biology Laboratory Manager, MS, General Biology, megan.krueger@alverno.edu
LaManna, Justin, Professor of Biology, PhD, Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology, Environmental Biology, justin.lamanna@alverno.edu
Mernitz, Heather, Professor of Physical Science, PhD, Biochemistry, Nutritional Biochemistry, heather.mernitz@alverno.edu
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI-221 | Biology of Plants (General Education ) | 4 |
| or BI-222 | Biology of Animals | |
| BI-233 & 233L | Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab | 4 |
| BI-251 & 251L | Microbiology and Microbiology Lab | 4 |
| BI-341 | Ecology | 4 |
| BI-325 & 325L | Cellular Biology and Cellular Biology Lab | 4 |
| BI-361 & 361L | Genetics Lecture and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| BI-374 | BI Assessment in Effective Citizenship | 1 |
| BI-491 | Senior Environmental Seminar | 3 |
| Biology Electives (NOT BI-233 or BI-341) | 6-7 | |
| Biology of Animals | ||
| Biochemistry With Laboratory | ||
| Pathophysiology | ||
| Biochemistry of Micronutrients | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| CH-213 & 213L | Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules and Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules Lab | 4 |
| INTERN-383 | Internship Seminar | 2 |
| MT-123 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MT-124 | Trigonometry | 2 |
| MT-256 | Probability and Statistics (General Education ) | 4 |
| PH-231 & 231L | Algebra-Based Physics I and Physics Lab | 4 |
| PH-232 & 232L | Algebra-Based Physics 2 and Physics 2 Lab | 4 |
| SC-119 & 119L | Foundations of Chemistry and Foundations of Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| SC-120 & 120L | Foundations of Biology and Foundations of Biology Lab | 4 |
| Total Credits | 65-66 | |
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AC-151 | 0 | CH-213 & 213L | 4 |
| FSS-125 | 2 | BI-221 or 222 | 4 |
| QL-122 | 4 | CM-120 | 4 |
| SC-119 & 119L | 4 | HUM-150 | 4 |
| SC-120 & 120L | 4 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ADV-299 | 0 | BI-233 & 233L | 4 |
| BI-251 & 251L | 4 | BSC-215 | 2 |
| CM-125 | 3 | CM-225 | 3 |
| FA-110 | 4 | PPS-229 | 1 |
| MT-256 | 4 | MT-124 | 2 |
| MT-123 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HFA-210 | 2 | BI-374 | 1 |
| BI-341 | 4 | BI-325 & 325L | 4 |
| GLS-200, POL 225, PSY 110, or SW 200 | 3-4 | HFA-310 | 2 |
| BI Elective | 3 | Globally Effective Citizen Course, Choose One:GEC 302, AHS 409/GEC 307, GEC 312, GEC 314, GEC 315, GEC 317, GEC 320, GEC 324, GEC 328, GEC 333, GEC 398 | 3 |
| General Electives | 6 | ||
| 12-13 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BI-361 & 361L | 4 | PH-232 | 3 |
| INTERN-383 | 2 | BI-491 | 3 |
| PH-231 | 3 | General Electives | 9 |
| BI Elective | 3 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 118-119 | |||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI-221 | Biology of Plants | 4 |
| or BI-222 | Biology of Animals | |
| BI-233 & 233L | Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab | 4 |
| BI-251 & 251L | Microbiology and Microbiology Lab | 4 |
| BI-325 & 325L | Cellular Biology and Cellular Biology Lab | 4 |
| BI-333 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| BI-338 | Pathophysiology | 4 |
| BI-361 & 361L | Genetics Lecture and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| BI-374 | BI Assessment in Effective Citizenship | 1 |
| BI-491 | Senior Environmental Seminar | 3 |
| BI-452 | Immunology | 3 |
| CH-213 & 213L | Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules and Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules Lab | 4 |
| MT-123 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MT-124 | Trigonometry | 2 |
| MT-256 | Probability and Statistics (General Education) | 4 |
| PH-231 & 231L | Algebra-Based Physics I and Physics Lab (General Education ) | 4 |
| Choose 8 Elective Credits | 8 | |
| INTERN-383 | Internship Seminar | 2 |
| Total Credits | 61 | |
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AC-151 | 0 | BI-222 | 4 |
| FSS-125 | 2 | CH-213 & 213L | 4 |
| QL-122 | 4 | CM-120 | 4 |
| SC-119 & 119L | 4 | HUM-150 | 4 |
| SC-120 & 120L | 4 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ADV-299 | 0 | BI-233 & 233L | 4 |
| BI-251 & 251L | 4 | BSC-215 | 2 |
| CM-125 | 3 | CM-225 | 3 |
| FA-110 | 4 | PPS-229 | 1 |
| MT-256 | 4 | MT-123 | 3 |
| MT-124 | 2 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BI-333 | 3 | BI-325 & 325L | 4 |
| BI Elective | 4 | BI-338 | 4 |
| HFA-210 | 2 | BI-374 | 1 |
| GLS-200, POL 225, PSY 110, or SW 200 | 3-4 | HFA-310 | 2 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Electives | 5 |
| 15-16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BI-361 & 361L | 4 | BI-452 | 3 |
| Biology Elective | 4 | BI-491 | 3 |
| Global Effective Citizen: Choose One Course: GEC 302, AHS 409/GEC 307, GEC 312, GEC 314, GEC 315, GEC 317, GEC 320, GEC 324, GEC 328, GEC 333, GEC 398 | 3 | General Electives | 6 |
| INTERN-383 | 2 | ||
| PH-231 & 231L | 4 | ||
| 17 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits 120-121 | |||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intro Biology | ||
| AC-151 | Initial Social Interaction Assessment | 0 |
| BI-221 | Biology of Plants | 4 |
| or BI-222 | Biology of Animals | |
| or BI-341 | Ecology | |
| SC-120 & 120L | Foundations of Biology and Foundations of Biology Lab (General Education ) | 4 |
| SC-119 & 119L | Foundations of Chemistry and Foundations of Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| Core Requirements | ||
| BI-233 & 233L | Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab | 4 |
| BI-251 & 251L | Microbiology and Microbiology Lab | 4 |
| BI-374 | BI Assessment in Effective Citizenship | 1 |
| BI-452 | Immunology | 3 |
| BI-491 | Senior Environmental Seminar | 3 |
| CH-213 & 213L | Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules and Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules Lab | 4 |
| CH-221 & 221L | Organic Chemistry 1 and Organic Chemistry 1 - Lab | 4 |
| CH-234 & 234L | Analytical Chemistry/Quantitative Analys and Analytical Chem-Quant Analysis Lab | 4 |
| CH-322 & 322L | Organic Chemistry 2 and Organic Chemistry 2 Lab | 4 |
| FSS-125 | First Semester Seminar (General Education ) | 2 |
| QL-122 | Quantitative Literacy in Modern World (General Education ) | 4 |
| or BU-151 | Personal Finance | |
| Biochemistry | ||
| BI-328 | Biochemistry With Laboratory | 4 |
| or CH-328 | Biochemistry With Laboratory | |
| Cell Biology or Genetics | ||
| BI-325 & 325L | Cellular Biology and Cellular Biology Lab | 4 |
| BI-361 & 361L | Genetics Lecture and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| Advanced Electives | ||
| Choose 3 Upper-Level (300-400) Credits from BI, CH, PH, MT or SC | 3 | |
| Math & Physics Requirements | ||
| MT-123 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MT-124 | Trigonometry | 2 |
| MT-256 | Probability and Statistics (General Education ) | 4 |
| PH-231 & 231L | Algebra-Based Physics I and Physics Lab | 4 |
| INTERN-383 | Internship Seminar | 2 |
| Total Credits | 79 | |
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AC-151 | 0 | CH-213 & 213L | 4 |
| FSS-125 | 2 | CM-120 | 4 |
| QL-122 | 4 | HUM-150 | 4 |
| SC-119 & 119L | 4 | MT-123 | 3 |
| SC-120 & 120L | 4 | MT-124 | 2 |
| 14 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ADV-299 | 0 | BI-222 | 4 |
| BI-251 & 251L | 4 | BSC-215 | 2 |
| CH-221 & 221L | 4 | CH-234 & 234L | 4 |
| CM-125 | 3 | CM-225 | 3 |
| FA-110 | 4 | PPS-229 | 1 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GLS-200, POL 225, PSY 110, or SW 200 | 3-4 | BI-325 & 325L | 4 |
| CH-322 & 322L | 4 | BI-374 | 1 |
| BI-233 & 233L | 4 | Global Effective Ciitizen Course: GEC 302, AHS 409/GEC 307, GEC 312, GEC 314, GEC 315, GEC 317, GEC 320, GEC 324, GEC 328, GEC 333, GEC 398 | 3 |
| MT-256 | 4 | HFA-210 | 2 |
| General Elective | 4 | ||
| 15-16 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BI-361 & 361L | 4 | BI-452 | 3 |
| BI-328 or CH 328 | 4 | BI-491 | 3 |
| HFA-310 | 2 | BI, CH, PH, SC or MT Upper-Level (300-400) Course | 3 |
| INTERN-383 | 2 | General Electives | 6 |
| PH-231 & 231L | 4 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120-121 | |||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Core | ||
| CH-213 & 213L | Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules and Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules Lab | 4 |
| BI-233 & 233L | Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab | 4 |
| BI-251 & 251L | Microbiology and Microbiology Lab | 4 |
| BI-325 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| or BI-361 | Genetics Lecture | |
| Intro Biology Option | ||
| BI-221 | Biology of Plants | 4 |
| BI-222 | Biology of Animals | 4 |
| BI-341 | Ecology | 4 |
| or BI-441 | Animal Behavior | |
| Biology Electives | ||
| Choose 6 Biology Elective Credits Upper Level (300-400), Except BI-325, 341, 361, 441 | 6 | |
| Biology Lab, Choose One: | 0-4 | |
| Total Credits | 33-37 | |