Liberal Arts (Code 080-001)

University Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1		120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)		39
Liberal Education Core		36
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total		2.00 average
Resident		2.00 average
Major		2.00 average
Minor		2.00 average
Certificate		2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total		30
Senior year		23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence		12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence		21
Certificate		25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.

¹

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

²

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION		Credit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree credit		maximum 12
Major, Standard		maximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensive		maximum 2 courses
Minor		maximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree credit		maximum ¼ of total
Major or minor		maximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree credit		maximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184		maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, drama		maximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, drama		maximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-System		no maximum
Other extension/correspondence		maximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFI		maximum 32 credits

Liberal Education Core

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire measures learning outcomes to ensure that its graduates have achieved a liberal education and prepared themselves to contribute to a complex society. Upon graduation, each undergraduate will have met the five learning goals of our liberal education core and the 12 learning outcomes they comprise. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LIBERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTS		a minimum of 36 credits
Knowledge Goal
Knowledge Outcome 1 (K1): Natural Sciences		Two (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 2 (K2): Social Sciences		Two (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 3 (K3): Humanities		Two (2) learning experiences
Knowledge Outcome 4 (K4): Fine Arts		One (1) learning experience
Skills Goal
Skills Outcome 1 (S1): Written and Oral Communication		Two (2) learning experiences
One S1 must meet the University Writing Requirement
Skills Outcome 2 (S2): Mathematics		One (1) learning experience
One S2 to meet the University Mathematics Requirement
Skills Outcome 3 (S3): Creativity		One (1) learning experience
Responsibility Goal
Responsibility Outcome 1 (R1): Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity		Two (2) learning experiences
One R1 must satisfy Design for Diversity
Responsibility Outcome 2 (R2): Global Perspectives		One (1) learning experience
Responsibility Outcome 3 (R3): Civic and Environmental Issues		One (1) learning experience
Integration Goal
Integration Outcome 1 (I1): Integration		Two (2) learning experiences
Service-Learning Goal
Service-Learning		30 hours

College Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree (B.A./B.S.)

University Graduation Requirements. All candidates for degrees must fulfill the requirements for credits, curriculum, GPA, and University residency as specified in the section of this catalog titled University Graduation Requirements.

College Graduation Requirements: Grade Point Averages. All candidates for degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must earn minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 in the major, the minor, and the certificate. The resident and total GPAs for the major are computed using all attempted credits applicable to the major including those offered by departments other than the major department. The resident and total GPAs for the minor and the certificate are computed similarly.

Major-Minor and Major-Certificate Requirements. A standard major (a minimum of 36 credits) must be supplemented by a minor (a minimum of 24 credits) or by a certificate (12 to 18 credits) to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program. No minor or certificate is required with a Comprehensive Major (60 or more credits) or with two majors of 36 or more credits each.

Certain degree programs, which include Comprehensive Majors, may require more than the minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Acceptable academic program combinations are determined at the college level. A major and a minor or a major and certificate or two majors (if available) may not be elected in the same department or program, except in the approved combinations listed here.

College Credits. Earn at least 90 credits in courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); foreign language competency at the 102 level.  Foreign language competency may be met in one of two ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the foreign language placement test that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a foreign language.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level foreign language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 or CSD 103).

Bachelor of Science Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.S.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); mathematics competency at the MATH 111, MATH 112 or MATH 113 level.  Mathematics competency can be met in one of three ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the mathematics placement test that qualifies the student to enter MATH 114.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in MATH 111, MATH 112, or MATH 113.  (3) Achieve a satisfactory score on the MATH 112 competency test.  This test may be attempted no more than two times.

Major Requirements

Liberal Arts (Code 080-001)

This emphasis provides extensive exposure to topics in ecology, field biology, and biological conservation. It is intended for students who are interested in field research, environmental monitoring and management, or natural resource conservation, or who desire strong preparation for graduate programs in ecology, environmental biology, or related fields.  Research or internship is strongly recommended.

The emphasis requires completion of the core, the required credits as listed below, and biology electives to total at least 60 credits.

Core Requirements for All Biology Majors

Ecology and Environmental Biology Emphasis (Code 080-001); Microbiology Emphasis (Code 080-002); Biology, Liberal Arts (Code 080-203).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
BIOL 221	Foundations of Biology I	4
BIOL 222	Foundations of Biology II	3
BIOL 223	Foundations of Biological Inquiry	2
Total Credits		9

Core Requirements for Biology, Liberal Arts

All students who pursue a Liberal Arts Comprehensive Major in Biology are also required to complete MATH 114, and CHEM 105, CHEM 106, and CHEM 109, or CHEM 115, in addition to the 60 credits required for the major.

Biology, Ecology and Environmental Biology Emphasis, Comprehensive Major

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
BIOL 180	Environmental Biology and Conservation	3
or GEOG 178	Planet Earth: Conservation of the Environment
BIOL 308	Evolution	3
BIOL 318	Plant Form and Function	4-5
or BIOL 319	Animal Form and Function
BIOL 321	Ecology	3
BIOL 323	Genetics	3
BIOL 383	Biostatistics	4
Elective Courses
Biological Sciences 1
Select at least three of the following courses
BIOL 311	General Entomology
BIOL 318	Plant Form and Function 2
or BIOL 319	Animal Form and Function
BIOL 325	Plant Systematics
BIOL 328	Conservation Biology
BIOL 332	Field Botany
BIOL 338	Vegetation Ecology
BIOL 340	Ornithology
BIOL 345	Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 356	Vertebrate Biology
BIOL 360	Vertebrate Design and Evolution
BIOL 362	Field Zoology
BIOL 365	Animal Behavior
BIOL 376	Aquatic Ecology
BIOL 379	Biology of Fishes
Additional biology courses not specifically excluded from the biology major may be used to complete the 48-credit total in biology.
Physical Sciences
Select any 12 credits from the following course list. Up to 12 credits maximum will be applied toward the comprehensive major. 3		12
GEOG 304	Introduction to Geomorphology
GEOG 335	Geographic Information Systems I
GEOG 336	Geospatial Field Methods
GEOG 337	Geographic Information Systems II
GEOG 338	Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEOG 340	Climatology
GEOG 345	Quaternary Environments
GEOG 350	Soils and the Environment
GEOG 355	Biogeography
GEOG 361	Environmental Hazards
GEOG 363	Watershed Analysis
GEOG 364	Fluvial Processes and Landforms
GEOG 435	Geographic Information Systems III
GEOG 438	Remote Sensing Data Analytics
GEOG 455	Web Geographic Information Systems
GEOL 110	Physical Geology
or GEOL 115	Environmental Geology
GEOL 301	Earth Resources and Sustainability
GEOL 304	Global Environmental Change
GEOL 308	Water Resources
GEOL 315	Hydrogeology I
PHYS 211	General Physics
PHYS 231	University Physics I
CHEM 213	Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 304	Environmental Chemistry
CHEM 325	Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory

¹

May include Marine Science II - Marine Biology from the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.

²

Select the course not chosen to fulfill requirements from the required course list.

³

May include Marine Science I - Oceanography from the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate an understanding of foundational biological principles in the areas of cell/molecular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, diversity of life, and structure & function of organisms. 
• Understand and apply basic research methods in biology including research design, data analysis, and communication. 
• Work collaboratively to explore and solve problems. 
• Apply theories, concepts, findings, and methods of biology to problems/issues in society. 
• Understand how biological theories, concepts, findings, and methods relate to other disciplines. 
• Demonstrate competence in mathematics, statistics, and computer technology as tools for revealing and characterizing complex patterns in biological systems 
• Understand and apply scientific reasoning and methods in learning science and/or in conducting biological research. 
• Communicate scientific ideas and results in a variety of formats. 
• Understand how to organize and evaluate data/information related to measuring diversity using field-specific recommended structures and criteria.

Biology, Ecology and Environmental Biology Emphasis, Comprehensive Major, B.S.

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements. Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CHEM 105	General Chemistry I Lecture	3
CHEM 106	General Chemistry I Laboratory (LE-K1)	2
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)	5
Or
WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
MATH 109	Algebra for Calculus (LE-S2)	4
GEOG 178	Planet Earth: Conservation of the Environment (LE-K1, LE-I1) d	3
Or
BIOL 180	Environmental Biology and Conservation (LE-I1, LE-R3) d
TOTAL		17
SECOND SEMESTER
CHEM 109	General Chemistry II with Lab	4
MATH 112	Precalculus Mathematics (LE-S2)	4
Or
MATH 113	Trigonometry (LE-S2, 2 credits)
BIOL 221	Foundations of Biology I (LE-K1L) a, c	4
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities and LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity		3
TOTAL		13-15
Sometime in first or second year: Service-Learning (LE-SL)
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
BIOL 222	Foundations of Biology II b, c	3
BIOL 223	Foundations of Biological Inquiry (LE-S3) b, c	2
MATH 114	Calculus I (LE-S2)	4
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities and LE Option: Responsibility 2 (LE-R2) Global Perspectives		4
Physical science elective(s) - See Catalog		3
TOTAL		16
SECOND SEMESTER
BIOL 323	Genetics	3
BIOL 321	Ecology	3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences		3
LE Option: Skills 1 (LE-S1) Written and Oral Communication		3
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1)		3
TOTAL		15
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
BIOL 308	Evolution	3
Biological science elective - See Catalog		4-5
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (LE-K4) Fine Arts		3
Physical science elective - See Catalog		3-4
TOTAL		13-15
SECOND SEMESTER
BIOL 318	Plant Form and Function	4-5
or BIOL 319	Animal Form and Function
BIOL 383	Biostatistics (Spring only)	4
Physical science elective - See Catalog		3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences		3
TOTAL		14-15
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
Biological science elective - See Catalog		4
Biological science elective - See Catalog		4
General Elective		4
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity		3
TOTAL		15
SECOND SEMESTER
Biological science elective - See Catalog		3-4
Physical science elective		3
BIOL Elective		4
General Elective		4
TOTAL		14-15

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits 

a

Prerequisites: MATH 109 or placement into math course above 109; CHEM 105 and CHEM 106, or CHEM 115 or concurrent enrollment. 

b

Grade of C or above in BIOL 221.

c

Best if Foundational Core course series (BIOL 221, BIOL 222, BIOL 223) is completed within 1st three semesters. 

d

Required for EEB majors.

Note 1:  Must maintain a 2.0 GPA in major program.

Note 2:  All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements).

Course Suggestions
Consider GIS certificate as part of physical sciences; Consider LE options as noted in Env. Society and Science, Environmental Science Minors.Students may also earn credit for directed and independent studies, internships, and through winterim or interim course offerings. 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire. These are best pursued after completion of Foundation coursework (BIOL 221 , BIOL 222, and BIOL 223).

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

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