BIOLOGY (Pre-biomedical Professions)
Bachelor's Degree Programs
If you’re interested in a health sciences career, you’ll find biology is one of the best majors for pre-med and pre-professional students.
At University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, our biological sciences department offers focused academic advising to ensure you’re prepared to enter the professional program of your choice.
You’ll gain a solid foundation in the life sciences while also developing the soft skills you’ll need to work with patients and colleagues. Pre-professional /pre-med students also have access to a range of elective courses.
CAN WE BRAG A LITTLE?
All graduating biology respondents were employed or pursuing an advanced degree after graduation. (2020-21 research survey)
What our Pre-Biomedical students do
Participate in undergraduate research
Gain hands-on experience through research and internships
Learn and experiment in modern labs
Research and hands-on learning experiences
A major in biology with a pre-biomedical focus at UW-Whitewater will provide you valuable hands-on experience, including:
Undergraduate Research
Biology students, especially pre-med majors, are some of the most active researchers on the UW-Whitewater campus. Whether pursuing their own projects or working alongside a faculty member, our students often co-author papers and present at industry conferences. Explore research opportunities »
Internships
We encourage pre-med and pre-professional students to pursue an internship based on their career interests. UW-Whitewater students often intern at local hospitals, labs, universities, and government agencies and programs. Learn more about biology internships »
Campus and community involvement
As a biology pre-med major, you might be interested in participating in UW-Whitewater’s Science Outreach programming, or joining your classmates in the Pre-Health Associates of Today, Pre-Veterinary Club, or Beta Beta Beta, the biology honors society.
First-year students interested in biology (as well as chemistry, physics, or engineering) have the option to live in the Double Helix Learning Community.
Space and places: Our facilities
The UW-Whitewater Department of Biology is home to modern classrooms and research and instrumental labs filled with state-of-the-art equipment.
Our Natural History Specimen Collection in Upham Hall contains thousands of cataloged plant and animal specimens.
What our graduates do
Practice medicine
Teach college
Lead research studies
Rachel Fehrman, 2018 graduate, is a PhD candidate at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Ocular Gene Therapy Laboratory.
"UW-Whitewater prepared me for a career as a research scientist in more ways than one. The coursework provided a solid foundation of biomedical science in concept and in application with labs offering hands on experience of the topics discussed in lectures. Not to mention the amazing one-on-one mentoring provided by the professors!"
Marcos Lares, 2016 graduate, is a lab manager in the Microtechnology, Medicine, and Biology Lab at UW-Madison.
“The knowledge and skills I gained through coursework and research opportunities, as well as the support and mentorship I received from faculty in the Biology Department, helped shape my interests and allowed me to successfully navigate graduate school and the job market.”
Keeley O'Dell, 2019 graduate, is a neonatal nurse.
"My Biology degree provided me with unique internship experiences outside of the classroom. Within my major, I was able to obtain the pre-requisites I needed for an advanced degree in nursing and entered that program with the skills and knowledge I needed to be successful."
Careers in Biology: What can you do with a Pre-Biomed degree?
The biological sciences offer a range of career opportunities. Students interested in the pre-biomedical professional emphasis are most often looking to work directly with patients or in research. After earning an advanced degree, our pre-med alumni have become:
- chiropractors
- dentists
- medical doctors (in a variety of specialties)
- nurses
- optometrists
- pathologists
- pharmacists
- physical therapists
- physician assistants
- radiologists
- veterinarians
Graduate and professional schools
After earning their Bachelor of Science in biology, our pre-med majors were accepted into programs at schools such as:
- Clemson University
- Marquette University
- Texas Tech School of Health Sciences
- Tufts University
- Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (France)
- University of California Berkeley
- University of California Santa Barbara
- University of Detroit Mercy
- University of Kentucky
- University of Michigan
- University of Westminster (London)
- University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
In addition to degrees in medicine, nursing, and other health professions, our pre-med students have also earned master's degrees and Ph.Ds in fields such as bioengineering, biotechnology, cytotechnology, ecology, education, entomology, microbiology, and pathology.
Iris Slotten, from Westfield, Wisconsin, earned a B.S. in biology and was hired as a microbiologist technician with Brakebush Brothers Inc. in Westfield, Wisconsin.
"I'd like to acknowledge Heather Pelzel for being such an amazing mentor and advisor and for contributing to my interest in microbiology as a career path. Dr. Pelzel has helped me through many struggles, including navigating courses and figuring out what I wanted to do for a career, and has always been a professor I could turn to!"
Jenna Wuest, from North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, earned a B.S. in biology and was accepted to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy in Madison, Wisconsin.
"I am most proud of my time spent in Costa Rica for my travel-study learning about healthcare, volunteering at a local elementary school and helping Spanish-speaking students. I'd like to acknowledge Jodie Parys for making such a difference in each Spanish course I took here and creating such unique experiences for us through travel-study and community-based learning."
Abby Giese, from Kenosha, Wisconsin, earned a B.S. in biology and was accepted to graduate school at Rosalind Franklin University pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy in North Chicago, Illinois.
"I'd like to acknowledge Susan DeVries, who cared so much for students both academically and as people."
Kayla Gonsiorowski, from Milton, Wisconsin, earned a B.S. in biology and was accepted to graduate school at the University of Illinois pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, Illinois.
Cole Lindwall, from Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, earned a B.S. in biology and chemistry and was hired as a technical solutions engineer with Epic Systems in Verona, Wisconsin.
Our faculty
Biology faculty members are dedicated to student success and many are leading researchers in their field of study.
As a pre-med major, you’ll also get to learn from and interact with chemistry, physics, and other ecological and life sciences faculty members.
Want to learn more about earning a Pre-med Biology degree?
262-472-1092 | biology@uww.edu
UW-Whitewater’s World Languages and Cultures offerings include the following undergraduate French options:
- Bachelor of Arts — Pre-Biomedical Professions emphasis | 4-year-plan
- Bachelor of Science — Pre-Biomedical Professions emphasis | 4-year-plan
- Honors Biology Bachelor’s Degree emphasis | 4-year-plan
Teaching Licensure:
Minors:
Certificates:
Our pre-med majors have the option to choose a pre-professional certificate based on their interests — to specialize their degree program within several medical and health disciplines.
- Pre-Dentistry
- Pre-Medicine
- Pre-Optometry
- Pre-Physician Assistant
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine
To apply, you’ll complete the UW-Whitewater standard application for admission and indicate your interest in earning a degree in biology.
