Biology Advising
If you think Biology is for you, we encourage you to begin the Declare Your Major process. You will be assigned a faculty advisor in your area of interest who will guide you on courses within the major based on your specific and individual interests in Biology and who will also be able to help you think about how to tailor your elective choices based on your short- and long-term education/career goals. With early advice and careful planning, you may save yourself time and money, so don’t delay!
The Biological Sciences Department offers three majors: Microbiology, Biological Sciences (options shown below for specialization), and Neuroscience.
- The major in Microbiology (Micro) is for those interested in studying the genetics and molecular biology of microorganisms (such as bacteria, archaea, fungi) and viruses, and the roles they play in human, animal, and plant health and disease, as well as in biotechnology.
- The General Biology Option in the Biological Sciences major is for those who find all areas of Biology exciting and want to explore diverse interests in multiple areas of study.
- The Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB) option in the Biological Sciences major is for those interested in studying the structure and function of organisms and biological processes at the level of cells and the macromolecules that define them (DNA, RNA, protein, lipid, and carbohydrates).
- The Ecology, Evolution, and Behavioral Biology (EEB) option in the Biological Sciences major is for those interested in studying the mechanisms governing interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.
- The major in Neuroscience is for those interested in the interdisciplinary study of the brain and nervous system — the biological foundation of thought, emotion, behavior, and learning.
If you are still in the admissions process and not yet a UWM student, please schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor by calling (414) 229-7711 or emailing let-sci@uwm.edu.
General Biology Option Advisors
Any advisor listed below can serve as an advisor for the General Biology Option.
Cell and Molecular Biology Option Advisors
| Name | Research Area | Lapham Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gutzman, Jennifer | Cell & Developmental Biology | N515 | gutzman@uwm.edu |
| Quinn, Christopher | Developmental Neurobiology | N413 | quinnc@uwm.edu |
| Zhao, Dazhong | Molecular Genetics | 462 | dzhao@uwm.edu |
Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Option Advisors
| Name | Research Area | Lapham Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberto, Filipe | Marine Biology | S575 | albertof@uwm.edu |
| Berges, John | Marine Biology | S587 | berges@uwm.edu |
| Hoebel, Gerlinde | Behavioral Ecology | S299 | hoebel@uwm.edu |
| Karron, Jeffrey | Plant Ecology | S585 | karron@uwm.edu |
| Latch, Emily | Population Genetics | N215 | latch@uwm.edu |
| Rodríguez, Rafael | Behavioral Ecology | S295 | rafa@uwm.edu |
| Young, Erica | Plant Biology | S593 | ebyoung@uwm.edu |
Microbiology Advisors
| Name | Research Area | Lapham Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bardy, Sonia | Bacterial pathogenesis | 464 | bardy@uwm.edu |
| Dey, Madhusudan | Yeast genetics and molecular biology | 460 | deym@uwm.edu |
| Kuchin, Sergei | Yeast genetics and molecular biology | 442 | skuchin@uwm.edu |
| Prasad, Gyaneshwar | Plant-microbe interactions | 440 | prasadg@uwm.edu |
| Yang, Ching-Hong | Plant-pathogen interactions | 181 | chyang@uwm.edu |
Neuroscience Advisors
| Name | Research Area | Lapham Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nadège Gouignard | Cellular and molecular mechanisms | gouignar@uwm.edu | |
| Jennifer Gutzman | Developmental Neurobiology | N515 | gutzman@uwm.edu |
| An Phu Tran Nguyen | Parkinson’s cellular and molecular mechanisms | tran36@uwm.edu | |
| Christopher Quinn | Developmental Genetics and Neuroscience | N413 | quinnc@uwm.edu |
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.
College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:
- Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
- Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
- Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
- Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
- Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:
- Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department.
- Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
- Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.