<p>Does anyone know anything about the biology department at UMich and what separates in from other universities? (At the undergrad level)</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>All Michigan's programs are good. Biology is somewhere between 10th and 15th in most rankings. It's good but not stellar. If you like med at all, our hospital is gargantuan, so that sets us apart in some ways.</p>
<p>Biology is definitely the weakest science and perhaps one of the weakest departments in the college here. If you're set on doing bio, I'd suggest another school.</p>
<p>I'm considering wisconsin over a possible umich honors for biology.</p>
<p>Actually Michwoman, in terms of ratings, Chemistry is Michigan;s weakest department, ranked #21 in the nation. Biology is the second weakest, ranked #14 in the nation. I disagree that Michigan is weak in Biology, but at the intro level, Biology can be very spread out and incohesive. However, the opportunities availlable to those with direction, initiative and drive are truly inexhaustible. </p>
<p>If there is one field where Wisconsin has an advantage over Michigan, it the biological sciences....but that advantage is not significant.</p>
<p>To paraphrase yourself Alex..--I believe you are downplaying the significant lead UW has over UM in biosciences.</p>
<p>Not really Barrons. When I said you were downplaying the significant lead Michigan had over Wisconsin in Political Science, I was referring to the fact that Michigan has a top 3 department of Political Science...and clearly the #1 American Politics program in the nation. Wisconsin, although very good in Political Science, isn't quite as good. </p>
<p>According to the most recent rankings, which were released by USNWR in 2005, Michigan is ranked #3 in the nation in Political Science, receiving an average Assessment Score of 4.8/5.0 from Political Science department heads around the nation. Wisconsin is ranked #16 in the nation in Political Science, receiving an average Assessment Score of 3.9/5.0 from Political Science department heads around the nation. In addition to that, Michigan ranked #1 in American Politics (Wisconsin is #12), #2 in Political Methodology (Wisconsin is not ranked in the top 15), #5 in International Politics (Wisconsin is not ranked in the top 20), #7 in Comparative Politics (Wisconsin is #12) and #14 in Political Theory (Wisconsin is not ranked in the top 15). Like I said, Wisconsin is good in Political Science, but comparing it to Michigan would be like comparing Carnegie Mellon's MBA program to Wharton's.</p>
<p>In Biology, Wisconsin does indeed have the edge over Michigan, but the gap is much smaller. According to the most recent Biology rankings, also conducted by the USNWR, Wisconsin was ranked #12 in the nation, receiving an average Assessment Score of 4.4/5.0. Michigan was ranked #14 in the nation, receiving average Assessment Score of 4.3/5.0. In addition, Wisconsin was ranked #6 in Biochemistry (Michigan was ranked #12), neither Wisconsin or Michigan were ranked in Cell Biology, Wisconsin was #3 in Microbiology (Michigan was #7), Wisconsin was #10 in Molecular Biology (Michigan was not ranked in the top 15) and neither Wisconsin or Michigan were ranked in Neuroscience.</p>
<p>I am no expert in Biology, but if I were to rely on the rankings, I'd say that Michigan has a clear edge over Wisconsin in Political Science and that Wisconsin has a small edge over Michigan in Biology.</p>