Liberal Arts (Code 183-001)

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 / LANG 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 183-001)

Advisors:  A. Brisbin (Mathematics), D. Gingerich (Biology),  R. Gomes (Computer Science), N. Mitchell (Biology), A. Smith (Mathematics).

The comprehensive major in bioinformatics will prepare students to solve problems involving large biological data sets through interdisciplinary skills and knowledge in biology, computer science, data science, and mathematics.  Through conceptual understanding and hands-on experience with real data, this program will prepare students for jobs or graduate school in bioinformatics. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
A minimum of 60 semester credits, including:
MATH 114	Calculus I	4
MATH 215	Calculus II	4
MATH 246	Elementary Statistics 1	4
MATH 314	Discrete Mathematics	3
BIOL 221	Foundations of Biology I	4
BIOL 222	Foundations of Biology II	3
BIOL 223	Foundations of Biological Inquiry	2
BIOL 323	Genetics	3
BIOL 324	Genetics Inquiry	2
CHEM 115	Chemical Principles 2	6
CHEM 325	Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory	4
BIOL 149	The Big Picture in Bioinformatics	1
DS 150	Computing in Python: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming	4
DS 250	Data Structures and Algorithms in Bioinformatics	4
BIOL 342	Applied Bioinformatics I	4
BIOL 343	3	4
CS 388	UNIX Systems Programming	3
BIOL 393	3	1

¹

In place of MATH 246, students may take either MATH 345 or BIOL 383 or the sequence of MATH 346 and MATH 347. 

²

In place of CHEM 115, students may take the sequence of CHEM 105, CHEM 106, and CHEM 109.

³

Course in development.

Suggestions for general elective credits to guide faculty mentor and student when planning post-baccalaureate career: two courses recommended.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
BIOL 305	Molecular and Cell Biology	4
BIOL 306	Infectious Disease Biology	3
BIOL 308	Evolution	3
BIOL 321	Ecology	3
BIOL 361	Biology of Microorganisms	5
BIOL 402	Current Topics in Virology and Immunology	4
BIOL 405	Advanced Cell and Molecular Lab	4
BIOL 409	Molecular Genetics	4
CHEM 352	Fundamentals of Biochemistry	4
CHEM 452 & CHEM 453	Biochemistry I and Biochemistry Laboratory	5
CHEM 454	Biochemistry II	3
CS 425	Machine Learning	3
PH 450	Epidemiology	3
MATH 324	Linear Algebra	4
MATH 441	Linear Regression Analysis, with Time Series	4

Program Learning Outcomes

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

Sample Degree Plan

Bioinformatics, Comprehensive Major, B.S.

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2023-2024 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-K1L)	2
MATH 109	Algebra for Calculus (LE-S2)	4
BIOL 149	The Big Picture in Bioinformatics	1
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)
SECOND SEMESTER
CHEM 109	General Chemistry II with Lab	4
MATH 113	Trigonometry (LE-S2)	2
BIOL 221	Foundations of Biology I (LE-K1L)	4
LE Core Elective- Global Perspective (LE-R2) with (K2), (K3), or (K4) a		3
LE Option: Skills 1 (LE-S1) Written and Oral Communication		3
Total		30
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
DS 150	Computing in Python: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming	4
MATH 114	Calculus I (LE-S2)	4
BIOL 222	Foundations of Biology II	3
BIOL 223	Foundations of Biological Inquiry (LE-S3)	2
LE Core Elective- Social Science (K2), Humanities (K3) or Fine Arts (K4) a		3
SECOND SEMESTER
BIOL 323	Genetics	3
MATH 215	Calculus II	4
DS 250	Data Structures and Algorithms in Bioinformatics	4
LE Core Elective- Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity (R1) with (K2) or (K3)
Total		30
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
BIOL 324	Genetics Inquiry	2
BIOL 342	Applied Bioinformatics I	4
MATH 314	Discrete Mathematics	3
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity		3
Major Elective-Upper Division BIOL, CS, DS or MATH		3
SECOND SEMESTER
BIOL 343	b	4
BIOL 393	b	1
MATH 246	Elementary Statistics	4
LE Option: Responsibility 3 (LE-R3) Civic and Environmental Issues		3
LE Core Elective- Social Science (K2), Humanities (K3) or Fine Arts (K4) a		3
Total		30
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CS 388	UNIX Systems Programming	3
CHEM 325	Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory	4
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1)		3
Major Elective-Upper Division BIOL, CS, DS or MATH		3
Major Elective-Upper Division BIOL, CS, DS or MATH		3
SECOND SEMESTER
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1)		3
LE Core Elective- Social Science (K2), Humanities (K3) or Fine Arts (K4) a		3
Major Elective-Upper Division BIOL, CS, DS or MATH		4
Major Elective-Upper Division BIOL, CS, DS or MATH		4
Total		30
Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

a

In this 4 year plan, the experiences for (K2), (K3), and (K4) are listed together. The appropriate number of experiences from each learning outcome will be required.

b

Course in development.

Notes:

• Must maintain a 2.0 GPA in major program.
• All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements).

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.

Students in the Bioinformatics major are encouraged to participate in student-faculty research related to bioinformatics.  Consult with professors in the bioinformatics program in the spring before the year in which you would like to do research (for example, in spring of the first year to plan a research project for sophomore year).

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

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