Genetics Major Requirements

Please visit with Jean Petersen or Peter Leeds in 1426 Genetics-Biotechnology Center for help in understanding the Genetics Curriculum.

Course Requirements for Genetics Major (effective July 2004)
Requirement	Select From	Comment
admissions	One high school unit each of: algebra, geometry, third year math and Two high school units of one foreign language required.	If admitted with a deficiency, see your academic dean's office in 116 Agricultural Hall
communication	All students must take ONE written and ONE oral communication course. Five credits minimum required See the CALS homepage to see how this requirement can be met.
econ or ag econ	AG ECON 215, 323, 336 ECON 101, 102, 111, 121, 261	3 credits required
ethnic studies	any course classified as "e"	3 credits required
humanities	any course classified as H, L, or Z	6 credits required
social science	any course classified as S or Z - but not Econ or Ag Econ	3 credits required
international studies	AG ECON 319, 350, 374, 462, 473, 474, 567, 577 AGRONOMY 377 AN SCI 370 ANTHRO 100, 104, 220, 260, 277, 300, 318, 327, 348, 390, 470 ATM OCN 121 ECON 364, 366, 464, 467, 472, 474 ENTOM 201 FINANCE 445 FORESTRY 430, 450 GEOG 120, 127, 139, 140, 244, 260, 348, 349, 353, 355, 358, 538 HISTORY 103, 104, 139, 142, 242, 260, 277, 338, 349, 359, 371, 375, 410, 419, 440, 441, 443, 444, 445, 446, 449, 458 INTER-AG 472 INTL BUS 200 JOURN 620, 621 MARKETING 420 NUTR SCI 350 POLl SCI 103, 106, 252, 260, 271, 277, 312, 323, 331, 336, 342, 346, 359, 362, 630, 633, 634, 639, 640, 642, 651, 653, 658, 659 RUR SOC 222, 230, 260, 613, 630 SOC 170, 244, 252, 260, 277, 614, 627, 634 SOIL SCI 431 WL ECOL 360	3 credits required. Courses may also meet other curricular requirements.
mathematics	MATH 112, 113	Select one subset. Requirement may be satisfied by placement exam.
	MATH 114
	MATH 221 OR 171 and 217	Required
chem/math	CHEM 103,104	Select one subset
	CHEM 109 (see note at end)	Select one subset
	CHEM 343, 344, 345	All are required
	STAT 371 or 571	Select one
physics	PHYSICS 201, 202	Select one subset (207 and 208 are recommended)
physics	PHYSICS 207, 208	Select one subset (207 and 208 are recommended)
biological science	BIOCORE 301, 303, 323, 333 PLUS any two BIOCORE labs: 302, 304, 324	Select one subset. (Either of the first two subsets is preferred.)
	BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151, 152 GENETICS 466 BACT 303, 304
	BOTANY 130 ZOOLOGY 101, 102 GENETICS 466 BACT 303, 304
major	BIOCHEM 501, 507 BMOLCHEM 503	Select one course. (If Biochem 507 is taken, it must be taken as part of BIOCHEM 507 and 508 which counts below.)
	BACT 370 BIOCHEM 550 GENETICS 545, 561, 565, 607, 610, 612, 620, 629 HORT 550	12 credits required with at least 5 credits from each subset.
	AGRONOMY 338 AHABS/MED MICR 529 BACT 526, 527, 528, 545, 550, 551 BIOCHEM 508 BMOLCHEM 504 BOTANY 563 DY SCI 361, 362, 363 HORT 500, 501, 502 PL PATH 505 ZOOLOGY 350, 360, 410, 430, 470, 523, 570 a biological science course approved by advisor.
capstone experience	GENETICS 566	Required

SPECIAL NOTES:

For the Bachelor of Science Degree, students must complete a minimum of 124 credits with 248 grade points and with at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. For purposes of calculation, two grade points will be granted for each transferable degree credit earned at institutions other than UW Madison. Students must take their last 30 credits in residence while officially enrolled in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Degree credit will be granted only once for courses that are repeated. Other degree requirements are outlined in the College Bulletin.
Students are strongly encouraged to gain laboratory experience through independent study, for example, Genetics 299 or 399 or 699 or 681 or part time work.
Students must meet with their advisor at least once per semester.
Students who have not maintained a GPA of at least 2.5 by the end of their first two years, or transfer students, by the end of their first year in residence, need to evaluate their major and career options with an advisor.
** Pre-professional students (pre-med, pre-vet, pre-dental, etc) should note that they may need a full year of general/inorganic/analytical chemistry as well as a full year of organic chemistry for admission. Those pre-professional students taking Chem 109 should take an additional chemistry course: choose from Chem 327, 329, 311 or 565.