Biology
Plant Sciences Focus
Printable version of this fact sheetStudents interested in botany or other plant science careers can major in Biology with a Plant Sciences Focus. UW-Superior's biology program provides a firm foundation in basic biological principles with an emphasis on fieldwork and research. Northwestern Wisconsin is an excellent setting for studying forests, wetlands and other plant communities.
Our Dual Degree program in forestry enables a student to attend UW-Superior for three years and then attend Michigan Technological University in Houghton for up to two years. Upon completing the program, the student receives a bachelor's degree with a major in biology from UW-Superior and a bachelor's degree with a major in forestry from MTU.
Major:
Biology with a concentration in Plant SciencesCourse descriptions
Program Features:
- Numerous opportunities to gain experience in field work and research. Our alumni often report that they arrive at their first job or at graduate school better prepared than their peers from other institutions.
- Small classes and labs provide opportunities to work one-on-one with faculty members.
- Two university-managed wetland research areas are available for study and research.
- Stanley Oexemann University Greenhouse is attached to McCaskill Hall and is used by botany and chemistry students.
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.
- 62-foot research vessel available for student jobs and research on Lake Superior and adjoining waters.
- Opportunity to join a class or research group that travels to Belize each year to study coral reefs.
- Opportunity to work at the Lake Superior Research Institute, located on campus.
- Biology majors are eligible for Swenson Scholarships that pay for up to four years of tuition and books. Other scholarships also are available.
- Possibility to intern at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service or Department of Natural Resources for Wisconsin or Minnesota.
- Dual degree program in forestry in cooperation with Michigan Technological University.
- Our location in northwestern Wisconsin provides access to lakes, forests, and other natural resources for study and research.
Career Outlook:
Botanists study plants and their environment. Some study all aspects of plant life while others specialize in areas such as identification and classification of plants, the structure and function of plant parts, the biochemistry of plant processes, and the causes and cures of plant diseases. Many botanists work for state, tribal or federal government agencies. Many students who earn bachelor's degrees in biology earn advanced degrees to enhance their career prospects, move into research, or teach at the college level. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that job growth for biological scientists will be as fast as average over the next decade.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