Biology
Ecology, Aquatic Biology and Fishery Science Focus
Printable version of this fact sheetUW-Superior's biology major offers a focus in Ecology, Aquatic Biology and Fishery Science. This is an ideal option for students interested in careers in aquatic biology, ecology, field biology, resource management or natural resource education. Faculty expertise, undergraduate research opportunities and the resources of the Lake Superior region contribute to the quality of this program.
Biology students benefit from the environmental resources of the Lake Superior region and the program's close working relationships with regional research laboratories. Field and laboratory research experience and internships are provided through cooperation with UW-Superior's Lake Superior Research Institute, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and faculty research grants.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Caribbean Coral Reef Studies program. Each year, a class and a research team travel to Belize to spend two weeks studying, learning research techniques and collecting data by diving on the reef. Students use the information they collect to develop professional-quality research presentations.
Major:
Biology, with a focus in Ecology, Aquatic Biology and Fishery ScienceMore details from our catalog
Course descriptions
Program features:
Emphasis on field work and research.
Small classes and labs provide opportunities to work one-on-one with faculty members.
Opportunity to be a part of a class or research group in the Caribbean Coral Reef Studies program and travel to Belize to study coral reefs.
Opportunity to work with scientists at the Lake Superior Research Institute, located on campus.
Two university-managed wetland areas for study and research.
All biology majors complete a “capstone experience.” That can be a research project, an internship off campus or a symposium in which the student does extensive library research and writes a paper or makes a presentation.
Sixty-two-foot research vessel available for student jobs and research on Lake Superior and adjoining waters.
Opportunities to intern at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service or Department of Natural Resources for Wisconsin or Minnesota.
Our location in northwestern Wisconsin gives you access to lakes, forests, and other natural resources for study and research.
Barstow Hall is equipped with two isolated animal care rooms, one of which is capable of safely housing exotic aquatic pest species. Designed to meet all federal and state animal care guidelines, this facility will be used to house animals for both research and classroom use.
The Barstow Hall wet lab is specifically designed to study and culture aquatic organisms.
UW-Superior also offers minors in geographic information systems, water resource management and physical environmental science.
Biology majors are eligible for Swenson Scholarships that pay for up to four years of tuition and books.
Career Outlook:
Biologists work in a wide range of jobs in local, state and federal government, schools and universities, scientific research and testing laboratories, the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry, and hospitals. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, job growth is expected to as fast as average through 2012.The following are examples of career options for biology majors:
Aquatic biologist
Ecologist
Resource manager
Botanist
Fisheries conservationist
Forester
Teacher
Environmental health specialist
Zoologist
Horticulturist
Marine biologist
Molecular biologist
Museum/aquarium administrator
Microbiologist
We invite you to visit:
A campus visit offers an opportunity to tour our campus and meet with an Admissions counselor. We can arrange for you to meet a professor and visit a class in any area you choose.To get more information
Call: 715-394-8230
E-mail: admissions@uwsuper.edu