Zoology Major
The zoology major fosters an understanding of biological complexity through the study of ecology, evolution, and behavior; anatomy, physiology, and organismal biology; and cellular, molecular, and developmental biology.
The zoology major emphasizes critical thinking and conceptual skills that come from an understanding of how scientific information is obtained and evaluated, and of how this information can be applied to societal issues. Students also learn about the interconnected relationships of humans and natural systems.
Students learn from world class faculty and have a wide range of opportunities for involvement in independent research and senior thesis.
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Bachelor Degree Requirements
In addition to fulfilling university and College of Letters and Science requirements, students must fulfill the following requirements for the Zoology major:
Note: Course sequencing varies for each student, however, the Department of Biology suggests that students take math and chemistry during freshman year, introductory biology during sophomore year, and physics during junior year. Contact your academic advisor with questions related to course planning.
Honors
In the College of Letters and Science
The College of Letters and Science offers a program for Honors in the Liberal Arts.
In the Zoology Major
The Department of Biology offers Honors in the Zoology Major. This option is ideal for students who want especially rigorous training in research, reasoning, and writing skills. Students will experience the excitement of original research and often continue their education in graduate school. A senior honors thesis is required.
Honors in Zoology Research requirement
- Students are responsible for arranging a faculty member to supervise their research project as their thesis mentor.
- Consult with your advisor for guidance.
- Students are encouraged to find a thesis mentor that aligns with their individual research interests and may select a faculty member in biological sciences from anywhere on campus.
- By the beginning of their senior year, each honors student will develop a written thesis proposal that must be approved by the thesis mentor and submitted to the undergraduate program.
- Two semesters of Senior Honors Thesis research must be taken; the first semester can be done during the summer, especially for students doing field research.
Advising and Declaration
Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor to learn more about the Zoology Major and for help declaring the major.
Advisors can provide guidance to tailor coursework to a student’s individual interests and needs. Students declared in the major should meet with their advisor regularly throughout the duration of their undergraduate experience.
If you are a prospective student or prospective transfer student visiting UW–Madison’s campus and would like to meet about the major, please contact us via email at least a week in advance.
Research in the Major
While research is not a requirement for the Zoology Major, students have many opportunities to get research experience during their undergraduate study. Getting hands-on research experience is a great opportunity for students to gain practical experience in their field of interest and apply the concepts learned during lectures in real time.
Each research project is based on an individual agreement between you and a research mentor. Your research mentor will help you define a research problem, design experiments, and interpret results. Students often work closely with a graduate student, post-doctoral associate, or other member of the lab. You will be expected to work in a team, to adapt to a specific research topic, and to meet deadlines.
For additional guidance on how to get involved in research, visit Wiscience Guide to Undergraduate Research.
UW–Madison expects students to put in an average of 45 hours (3hrs/week) to receive one research credit. Students can take 1-6 credits of research each semester, but the typical enrollment is 2-3 credits. Given the amount of training time required to bring you up to speed in the lab, many research mentors look for students who are willing to participate in their lab for more than one semester.
Faculty campus-wide may sponsor you for undergraduate research. To narrow your search, think about which areas of biology you would be most excited to learn about. Reading journals, science news, and talking to your professors and TA’s can help you refine your interests.
Before you meet with a potential mentor, familiarize yourself with their research interests, past and current projects. You can often find abstracts or publication lists on the researcher’s website.
When you find a researcher you’re interested in working with, you may write a brief email or make a phone call requesting a meeting with the researcher. You may want to include the following information:
- Your motivation to seek research experience in the particular area
- Demonstrate that you have read about their research interests
- Your level of commitment and availability
- Include hours per week and potential number of semesters
- If you are considering completing or preparing to complete a senior thesis or senior honors thesis
- One page resume including coursework, grades, work experiences, special interests
- Request a meeting and include a few different blocks of time that you will be available
- If you do not get a response within 3 days, consider following up with an email or phone call
Keep in mind that some faculty may not be able to take on an undergraduate student for a variety of reasons. Be prepared to repeat the process a few times-tailoring your email slightly for each individual you contact.
Your potential mentor will want to find out more about you before they commit to working with you in the lab. They may ask about your interests, motivations, preparation, and expectations.
This is also your opportunity to do the same. Ask questions about the projects currently going on, possibilities where you could fit in, who would supervise your work, whether they have had undergraduates working in their lab before, and anything else you’re curious about.
If it seems like a good match, ask if they would agree to be your mentor for one of the projects.
Keep in mind that some faculty may not be able to take on an undergraduate student for a variety of reasons. Be prepared to repeat the process a few times-tailoring your email slightly for each individual you contact.
Once a faculty mentor accepts you as an undergraduate researcher in their lab, you will need to enroll in a Directed Study (or Thesis, if applicable).
To enroll in a Directed Study/Thesis (Zoology 199, 299, 681, 682, 691, 692, 698, or 699), you must fill out a course authorization form and have your faculty mentor sign it. See the forms link below.
Once signed, turn the form into 152 or 244 Birge Hall and a department advisor will grant you permission to enroll. You must enroll through your Student Center using the section number of the course that will be provided to you via email.
Career Planning
Graduates from the zoology major find jobs in areas like:
- healthcare
- natural resource management
- research
- science education
- and often continue their education in graduate or professional school.
You can schedule an appointment with your advisor to discuss careers you can build with a zoology major.
SuccessWorks is the College of Letters and Science’s office dedicated to helping students develop their careers before they graduate. Explore their extensive resources and schedule an appointment to develop your career.
Forms
Necessary forms related to the Zoology Major are available at the link below.