Department of
Biological Sciences
Quick Links & Department Events
Upcoming Biology Events Listed Below
There are no future events in the system.
Information for Biology Undergraduates
- Advising (see The Axon (below) for up-to-date information on dates in Biological Sciences)
- Biology Major (Non-Teacher Certification) Degree Programs
- Teacher Certification Programs in Science (Grades 6-12)
- Non-Degree Programs
- Science Teaching Certification
- Related Majors and Minors
- General Degree Information
- Registration Information
- Departmental Policies and Opportunities
Advising is an important function of our department. During pre-registration advising please contact the departmental office at 298-1546 to schedule an appointment with one of the advisors.
- The Undergraduate students who are non-teaching are principally advised by Vicki J. Walters, Academic Advisor, and the Graduate Student-Academic Advisors.
- Biology education students are advised by Dr. Laura Barden-Gabbei (see below).
- The Axon: A Regularly Updated Newsletter from the Academic Advisors
- Botany, microbiology, zoology, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physical therapy, pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-optometry, and clinical laboratory science majors are all advised by Vicki J. Walters 309/298-1546, Waggoner Hall 365. VJ-Walters@wiu.edu
- Biology education students are advised by Dr. Laura Barden-Gabbei (298-1679) in Waggoner 374.
- Biology, Chemistry, and Physics majors within the Teacher Certification Option as well as Graduate Students seeking teacher certification in science (biology, chemistry, or physics) are advised by Dr. Laura Barden-Gabbei (298-1679) in Waggoner 374. LM-Barden@wiu.edu
- Graduate students are advised by Dr. Timothy Spier (298-1266) in
Waggoner 302 until they choose an advisor. Research advisors also are
course advisors for graduate students. Please go to the
Graduate Student website
for the procedures to apply to the graduate program.
Biology major (non-teacher certification degree programs). Option in:
- Botany
- Clinical Lab Science
- Microbiology
- Zoology
- Medical Sciences* - The Medical Sciences option has a minimum standard GPA of 2.75 for enrollment into this option.
Teacher Certification Programs in Science (Grades 6-12)
- Biology degree option (also see undergraduate catalog or Departmental Web Site)
- Chemistry degree option (also see undergraduate catalog or Departmental Web Site)
- Physics degree option (also see undergraduate catalog or Departmental Web Site)
- For more information about the Teacher Education Program see: Center for the Preparation of Education Professionals (http://www.wiu.edu/CPEP/)
- Note: To be fully accepted to the Teacher Education Program, a minimum GPA of 2.5 overall and in your major are required.
- Honors program
- FMEA (Functional Morphology & Evolutionary Anatomy) (Interdisciplinary between Biological Sciences and Sociology/Anthropology)
- Athletic Training/ Fitness
- Conservation/ Animal Science (Agriculture)
- Dietetics
- Environmental Science (Interdisciplinary studies MINOR)
- Horticulture (Interdisciplinary studies MINOR)
- Neuroscience (Psychology MINOR)
- Recreation Parks and Tourism Administration
- Chemistry (Forensic and Regular)
- Psychology
- Health Sciences
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Geology
- Kinesiology
- Anthropology
- Incoming Freshmen (30 credit hours or less) are required to enroll in the Freshman Year Experience Program. Please go to WIU's First Year Experience page for more information.
- General Education update for those NOT seeking Teacher Certification Option: The School of Arts and Sciences requires more General Education courses in the Humanities and Social sciences (12 hours each) than other schools within the University. Also required are three hours of Human Well Being, two courses with a writing emphasis, three hours of Multicultural Studies, 16 hours of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and 9 hours of directed Communication Skills.
- General Education update for those in the Teacher Certification Option: Because of the nature of your program, students seeking teacher certification follow the General Education Requirements of the College of Education and Human Services. This includes 9 hours in the Humanities and Fine Arts (of which at least 3 hours must be in Humanities and 3 in the Fine Arts), 9 hours in the Social Sciences, 3 hours in Human Well Being (of which 1 hour must be an activity course), 3 hours in Multicultural Studies, 10 hours of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and 9 hours of Directed Communication Skills.
- Foreign Language update: All students seeking a Bachelors of Science
degree in Biology are required to have two semesters or one full year of
a single Foreign Language. Two years of the same language in high
school, or two semesters of the same language in college or university
will complete this requirement, as long as transcripts are presented to
the registrar. This requirement can be met while attending WIU with two
semesters of the same foreign language, which can count towards two
classes of General Education Humanities Credit.
- WIU's STARS Registration Website: Use STARS to see which courses are offered, register, etc.
- Undergraduate Degree Requirements: See the WIU Undergraduate Catalog listing for Biological Sciences.
- Transferring courses? Visit Itransfer to learn which courses transfer from other Illinois colleges and universities.
- Departmental Policies: Students in The Department of Biological Sciences and WIU have clear rights and responsibilities. All students should know these policies.
- Job Information: A listing of recent opportunities and websites that post biologically oriented job ads.
- Need to take the MCAT? Many online practice exams, arranged by subject content are on the MCAT website.
- Teach Grant Program: This is a Federal Grant Program with very specific requirements. If you are in the teacher certification option for Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, you may want to consider this.
- Applying for scholarships? Visit this scholarship advice site.
Departmental Policies
and Opportunities
Department of Biological Sciences
Waggoner Hall
372 • 1 University Circle
Macomb, Illinois 61455
Phone: 309/298-1546 Fax: 309/298-2270 • E-mail (Secretary): LA-Turke@wiu.edu