Admission requirements are subject to change. For more information click on the name of the major, or contact the departmental advising office.
Majors with open admission can be declared at any time by students whose GPA is at least 2.0. Majors with minimum admission requirements have set requirements, such as completing 10 credits in the department with a GPA of 2.5. In general, these majors admit all applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements, with no further screening or selection. Majors with competitive admission have admission requirements and a selective screening; they often have an application deadline, and may require test scores, portfolios, auditions, letters of recommendation, and/or interviews. Completion of the admission requirements does not guarantee admission to competitive majors. Some majors admit only once per year. Consult an adviser.
If you're interested in ecological topics, be sure to check out the Environment-Related Majors page, too.
A PDF version of this chart is also available.
| major | description | admission requirements | comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Chemical processes of biological systems, including enzymology, molecular biology, and cell biology. |
Competitive admission. Multiple admission tracks; see UW website for details |
B.A. and B.S. degrees offered. B.S. requires 197 credits.Supporting coursework required in math, biology, and physics, as well as general, organic, and physical chemistry. |
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The application of engineering technology to clinical practices and research. Bioinstrumentation, biomaterials, simulation of biosystems. |
Competitive admission. Upper Admission: MATH 124, 125, 126; CHEM 142, 152, 162; 5 cr English comp; AMATH 301*; PHYS 121, 122*; BIOL 180, 200*; BIOEN 215* (*courses may be in progress at time of application). Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. |
Also offer Early and Direct Admission. |
|
The study of living organisms. Cell and molecular processes, development, organismal physiology and morphology, natural history, evolution, conservation, and ecology. |
Minimum admission requirements. BIOL 180 with minimum 2.5 grade; or BIOL 180, 200, 220 with minimum 2.00 GPA in the three courses. In addition, minimum 2.00 GPA for all required chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biological sciences courses already completed. |
B.A. in General Biology. B.S. degree with six options: General Biology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Environmental and Conservation Biology; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; Physiology; and Plant Biology. Supporting coursework required in math; general, organic, and physical chemistry; and physics. |
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Control of environmental conditions affecting human health; epidemiology and toxicology. |
Competitive admission. 90 credits, including 5 credits English composition; MATH 124 or 144 or QSCI 291; CHEM 142, 152, 162; CHEM 237, 238, 239 (or 223 and 224); BIOL 180, 200, 220. Minimum 2.50 GPA; minimum 2.0 grade in each BIOL and CHEM course. |
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Medical laboratory procedures and evaluation of test reports. |
Competitive admission. 90 credits, including CHEM 142, 152, 162; CHEM 223, 224 (or 237, 238, 239); BIOL 180, 200, BIOL 220; MATH 124 or MATH 144 or STAT 220; 5 credits English composition plus an additional 7 credits of writing; at least 10 credits each VLPA and I&S. BIOL 118 recommended but not required. |
Application once per year. |
|
Study of microorganisms (primarily bacteria and viruses), including genetics, immunology, and medical microbiology. |
Minimum admission requirements. 75 cr, including BIOL 180, 200, 220; CHEM 142, 152, 162; CHEM 223, 224 OR 237, 238, 239. Minimum 2.25 GPA in required BIOL and CHEM. 2.00 gpa overall. |
B.S. degree only. Early admission: BIOL 180 and 200; CHEM 142, 152, 162; CHEM 223 or 237; 2.75 gpa in these courses; 2.00 gpa overall. |
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Introduction to the study of nervous systems. |
Competitive admission. BIOL 180, 200, 220 with at least a 2.0 grade in each course; minimum 2.50 GPA in required chemistry, math, and physics courses completed by the time of application. |
B.S. degree only. Two years necessary to complete the required N BIO sequence of courses. |
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Theory and clinical practice of nursing. |
Competitive admission. 90 credits, including CHEM 120, 220, 221; NUTR 300; MICROM 301, 302; B STR 301; BIOL 118 and 119; NURS 201; 5 credits English composition + 5 credits additional English composition or W course; 5 credits Q/SR (see adviser for list); 5 credits statistics; 15 credits VLPA; 10 credits I&S. Minimum grade 2.0 in each required course except VLPA and I&S. |
Application once per year. Letter of recommendation and previous health care experience required. Some applicants will be selected for a proctored essay session. |
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The physical, geological, chemical, and biological processes in the ocean and the interactions of the ocean with the earth, the biosphere, and the atmosphere. |
Open admission. 2.00 GPA. |
B.A. and B.S. Supporting coursework required in math, general chemistry, physics, biology, and earth and space sciences. |
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Scientific study of behavior and its causes. |
Competitive admission. One from MATH 111, 112, 120, 124, 144 with a grade of at least 2.0; the following three PSYCH courses with a minimum 2.0 grade in each course and a minimum 2.50 GPA in the three courses: PSYCH 101, 202, 209. |
B.A. and B.S. B.S. graduation requires calculus (i.e., either MATH 120 and 124 or MATH 120 and 144). |
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The processes and disorders of human communication. Language development; speech and hearing acoustics, physiology, and perception. |
Competitive admission. 60 credits, minimum 2.50 GPA. |
Two options: General Academic (non-professional track), and Speech and Hearing Sciences and Disorders (pre-professional track). Graduate study is required for the professions of speech language pathologist and audiologist. |
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