Biology Core Curriculum (Biocore) is an undergraduate Honors biology certificate program for students who are motivated to learn biology within a small community of students, peer mentors, and faculty instructors. The four-semester curriculum of lecture and laboratory courses provides an integrated foundation of knowledge and skills applicable to any area of bioscience. This is a community of highly motivated students works with dedicated faculty to extend opportunities for scientific research, communication, integrative learning, and collaboration in the context of a four-semester undergraduate biology curriculum.
Biocore is not a major but fulfills requirements for a variety of biological science majors including those in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, College of Letters & Science, College of Engineering, and School of Pharmacy. See the Biocore website and video to learn more.
Biocore includes:
- Small classes and high faculty/instructor contact
- Emphasis on research, problem solving, science reasoning, group learning, and communication
- Inclusive, collaborative community of students and faculty
- Peer mentoring, outreach, and directed study opportunities
- Biocore Honors certificate.
Biocore is both a community, and a curriculum that challenges students to discover and reach their academic potential within an inclusive and supportive biology education program.
Students say:
- “Biocore has helped me think about science in a completely different way.”
- “I have never been so challenged, nor so excited about learning, as during my time in Biocore.”
- “Biocore taught me how to think critically and how to question. I learned to be part of a team and made some great friendships. “
- “Taking Biocore made other advanced courses in biology/biochemistry/genetics so much easier because I gained such solid background knowledge.”
- “Biocore has been my most valuable academic experience yet. It has helped me develop my scientific writing skills, ability to problem solve as a member of a team, and to think like a scientist.”
- “The great staff and teaching teams are excellent—they really care and invest a huge amount of time to benefit our learning.”
Biocore offers cocurricular and leadership opportunities. Students are also able to engage in Biocore peer advising, Biocore peer mentoring, undergraduate TAships, as well as engage in directed study and research opportunities in the Biocore Prairie, go outside the classroom with Biocore Adventure Club, and in K–12 outreach through the Biocore Outreach Ambassadors.
How to Get in
Biocore is an application-based Honors program that starts in the fall. While any UW–Madison student admitted to Biocore can take courses and complete the program, only students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the College of Engineering, the School of Human Ecology, the College of Letters & Science, the School of Education, the School of Pharmacy and the School of Business will be eligible to have the certificate noted on their transcript.
Application options:
Applications are available through the Biocore website starting in mid-December. Most students apply during the spring of freshman year and begin fall of sophomore year.
- Early application deadline on first Friday of January for notification prior to beginning of spring semester
- Regular application deadline in mid-March prior to April registration
- Rolling application review after March deadline right up to the start of fall classes
Prerequisites
Please inquire about course equivalents.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Chemistry | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 5 | |
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Advanced General Chemistry | ||
| Chemical Principles I | ||
| Total Credits | 5 | |
Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following lecture courses (in sequence): | ||
| BIOCORE 381 | Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics | 3 |
| BIOCORE 383 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIOCORE 485 | Principles of Physiology | 3 |
| BIOCORE 587 | Biological Interactions | 3 |
| Complete two of the following lab courses (in any order): | 4 | |
| Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory | ||
| Cellular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
- Minimum 3.3000 University GPA
- Grade of B or better in all BIOCORE and courses used for the certificate
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a learning mindset and intellectual curiosity for biology.
- Demonstrate advanced level scientific reasoning and integration of biological concepts and processes – from molecules to the biosphere, across different forms of life, through space and time.
- Generate novel scientific questions, formulate hypotheses, carry out experiments, and make logical conclusions based on evidence.
- Demonstrate advanced scientific communication skills, oral and written, and the ability to translate their understanding to the broader community.
- Actively engage in and practice group learning, collaboration, and teamwork.
- Reach for and achieve high standards in the quality of learning.
- Articulate the value of the Biocore Honors experience.
Advising and Careers
Some majors require students to complete the whole program, but others do not. Check on your major requirements and with an academic advisor in your major. Review sample four-year schedules for how Biocore fits into many different bioscience majors. Students who plan to study abroad during their junior year can plan to start Biocore as sophomores and complete coursework as seniors.
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students