Biology Major

Learn outside the lecture hall

Build your resume, explore career paths, and help solve real world problems with faculty across campus. You can build valuable bench or field research skills outside the classroom with bioscience-focused research or internships.

Study the origins of life on Earth, the impact of SSRIs on hormone signaling during lactation, the genetics behind fin regeneration in zebrafish, and so much more.

Connect with fellow Biology majors

First- and second-year students can join the Biology Major Peer Mentoring Program, where you’ll be matched with a junior or senior biology student that can answer your questions on student life and share experiences.

Discover new classes, get tips on finding a research lab or internship, receive advice on the ins and outs of campus life from your mentor, and participate in social activities with other students.

Focus on your interests

Investigate a real-world problem that aligns with your interests by conducting research or choosing from capstone courses in a variety of biological fields.

Past capstone courses have explored human physiology, general ecology, developmental genetics and biology, and plant microbiomes.

Study abroad and gain global perspective

See the world and complement what you’re learning in the classroom or in the lab with a study abroad program. Study agriculture and food science in Ireland, learn about public health and hospital medicine in Argentina, explore the coral reefs in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and so much more.

You can also choose from one of UW–Madison’s many semester, summer, and short-term study abroad programs and map your study abroad experience as a biology major.

Honors Programs

Challenge and distinguish yourself with the CALS Honors Program. Dive into a subject you’re passionate about, form collaborative relationships with other Honors students, and conduct research with our top-notch faculty.

Composed of two options, Honors in Research or Honors in Major, you can customize your path of research projects and specialized coursework.

Specialize in evolutionary biology

Concentrate your studies in evolution and have it reflected on your transcript with the evolutionary biology named option. Explore evolutionary biology concepts such as adaptation, speciation, and genetics, and gain insight into careers and real-world challenges with specialized classes and a seminar.