For students who start at UW-Madison in summer or fall 2026, all Biochemistry majors will be declared in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). Students can declare their major by advising with CALS at SOAR or by meeting with a Biochemistry advisor once on campus.
For students who started at UW-Madison prior to summer 2026, students can choose to declare the Biochemistry major in either the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) or the College of Letters and Science (L&S) by the end of summer 2026. Students declared in Biochemistry in L&S by the end of summer 2026 have until 2031 to complete their degree. While the courses in the Biochemistry major are basically the same in both colleges, the academic environment and degree options can differ. The following comparison can help you decide which college is the best fit for your academic goals and interests. As your academic goals and interests change, you can work with advisors to change your college or major.
| Aspect | CALS | L&S – only available for students who started at UW-Madison prior to summer 2026 and who declare by the end of summer 2026 |
| Major Courses | Identical Biochemistry Major curriculum in both colleges | Identical Biochemistry Major curriculum in both colleges |
| Supporting College Coursework | Emphasis on science and applied life sciences | Broad context of letters and science (natural sciences, social sciences, humanities) |
| Honors Program | Eligible for CALS Honors Programs | Eligible for L&S Honors Programs |
| Initial Advisor Assignment | Assigned a Biochemistry Major advisor | Assigned an L&S Academic Advising Services advisor with expertise in all L&S majors; switched to a Biochemistry Major advisor at a major declaration |
| Degree Options | Bachelor of Science (BS) | Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
| College Size | ~3,000 undergraduates within CALS | ~20,000 undergraduates within L&S |
Additional Resources
Explore L&S Resources
Explore CALS Resources