Welcome to the Department of Biology
Studying life in all its forms and scales through cutting-edge research and innovative teaching.
Meet the Center for Botany
Botanical sciences are more important than ever. Learn about the research, outreach and education our dedicated researchers are investing in.
Giving
Your donations can improve the student experience, advance research, and support efforts across the Department of Biology.
Undergraduate Programs
Explore our majors, honors curriculums and certificates.
Graduate Programs
Considering a Master’s or PhD? Explore our programs.
Research
Researchers in the Department of Biology are in the field and in the lab studying flora, fauna, fungi and more.
Featured News
Welcome to the Department of Biology
From the Chair
July 1, 2026, marks the first day of the Department of Biology in the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Bringing together botany and integrative biology (formerly zoology), two departments that have been around since the earliest years of our university, is an enormous feat and it also presents several exciting opportunities.
The Department of Biology brings together botany and integrative biology’s 10 academic programs, three living and preserved natural history collections and adds an exciting new botanical sciences research hub, the Center for Botany.
Hands-on in Hawaii
Learning
Botany students travel to Hawaii with Professor Muir to study plant diversity in the global biodiversity hotspot.
DNA analysis of Mongol Empire’s Ruling Elite
Research
Integrative Biology graduate student Ayken Askapuli’s research reveals implications for the genetic ancestry of the broader Mongolian Empire.
McGee and Walston win 2026 Award for Mentoring Undergraduates
Faculty & staff
Professor Seth McGee and graduate student Joseph Walston have each been recognized for their outstanding mentorship of undergraduate students.
Statistics
2000+
Enrolled Students
11
Academic Programs
>87%
of department undergraduate major alumni say UW–Madison prepared them for their career
Events
July
-
July 1UW Cinematheque – Summer CinemathequeThe Producers | 1968 | DCP | 88 min. Director: Mel Brooks7:00 PM, 4070 Vilas Hall
-
July 1
-
July 1Badgers on Tap: Microbiology Night at The Rigby in Madison, WIPresenters: Cynthia Pryde-Aguilar and Calyssa Huff7:00 PM, 119 E Main St., Madison, WI 53703
-
July 2
In the News
-
Agave Death Bloom featured as State Journal Photo of the day
UW-Madison’s Botany Garden and Greenhouse’s Agave victoriae-reginae plant bloomed in early June, catching the attention of the public and the Wisconsin State Journal. The plant, which is about 30 years old, blooms…
-
Professor Damschen talks biodiversity on WPR
Professor Ellen Damschen joins WPR’s The Larry Meiller Show to discuss why biodiversity matters in Wisconsin, and what scientists are doing to conserve plant and animal life. Listen to the episode.
-
Professor Simon Gilroy on Startalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson
Are plants more aware than we think? Do they have feelings? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Gary O’Reilly, and Harrison Greenbaum explore the intelligence of plants with astrobotanist Simon Gilroy. From venus flytraps to…
-
What’s wrong with ‘The Most Studied Lake in the World’?
The algae bloom-covered shorelines of Lake Mendota indicate serious lake health issues. How do we right the ship? It starts with science. View full article here.