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Which Introductory Biology course?
You have three introductory biology options for the zoology
major, available at UW-Madison.
1. Biocore
Curriculum. Biocore is a challenging four-semester introductory
honors sequence that provides a broad, in-depth, and integrated
background recommended and designed for students interested in
any area of biological science.
2. Zoology
151/152. Botany/Zoology 151-152 is a two-semester integrated
introductory biology sequence and is recommended for many majors
in the biological sciences.
3. Zoology
101/102 and Botany
130.*
Zoology 101 is a large introductory zoology course that addresses
an audience of beginning students with a wide range of backgrounds
and interests.
Zoology 102 augments and reinforces material in Zoology 101 (lecture)
by giving practical experience and providing a grounding in zoology
for continued studies in the life sciences.
Botany 130 is a one semester plant biology course that is offered
during both fall and spring semesters. It is especially appropriate
for plant science majors.
*Bot 130 optional.
Do you have transfer credits in
introductory biology from another institution?
Did you take an introductory biology course elsewhere that did
not transfer as a direct equivalent to a course here? Unsure about
how the course credits are counting - or which course
you should take next?
If introductory biology is not
a specific requirement by your
major or program, your transfer credit can satisfy breadth requirements
as is. You likely do not need to do anything further.
If it is a requirement by
your major or program, you may need to have your course evaluated
in order to determine how to proceed. Ultimately, each major
or program advisor will determine how the course satisfies (or
doesn't satisfy) the major or program requirements.
Shannon Schoolmeesters, Student Services
Coordinator in Zoology can help you (and your advisor) with this
process.
You will need to provide her with the following:
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Syllabus/lecture outline from all of your intro biology transfer
courses. This should include a listing of the general topic
for each class meeting, including lab. If you do not
have this on file, you may need to request it from your previous
instructor(s).
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Course catalog description of the course and all other intro
bio courses available at the institution(s). These are
usually available from your transfer institution's website.
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Your name
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Your intended or declared major - if you have one
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Your student ID number
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Your advisor's name
You may submit this request electronically (via
email), or you may leave your request in Shannon's mailbox
on 1st floor Noland hall, at the ramp adjacent to the vending
machines.
Upon evaluating the course, Shannon will write a letter of evaluation
and recommendation to your major advisor who will then instruct
you on how to proceed with your intro bio requirements for that
major or program.
Do you have AP credits in Biology?
If you scored a 3 on your AP Biology exam, you need to start with
the first course in one of the introductory biology sequences listed
above. Consult with the Zoology major advisor for the appropriate
sequence.
If your AP Biology exam score was a 4 or 5 you have several options
to select from:
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You may take any of the introductory biology sequences in
full and still retain full credit for your AP Biology toward
your total number of degree credits (as electives).
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You may register for Botany/Zoology/Bio 152. If you complete
it with a grade of C or better, you will be exempt from Botany/Zoology/Bio
151 in the Zoology major (and many other majors, but it's
important to check in with your major advisor to find out the
policy if your major is other than Zoology).
Interesting point about 152: Bio 152 requires
a research project. You may choose to complete this
project via a library-based research, or a mentored
biological laboratory-based research. If you are
interested in the lab-based project, you will need to make
arrangements prior to the start of the semester. Contact Jean
Heitz, Course Coordinator, for more details and assistance.
*Note: this option is not recommended for students
who have had AP Biology more than 2 years ago.
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You may use your AP Biology credits to be exempt from Zoology
101/102. (Again, if your major is other than Zoology, it's
important to check in with your major advisor to find out their
AP policy.)
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Biocore is an accelerated course sequence and it is not possible
to equate AP Biology credit with any particular course. Therefore,
if you take Biocore your AP Biology credits can only count as
elective credits for graduation.
AP Biology credits will NOT count toward the 30 credits required
for the Zoology major.
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