<p>I posted on here a couple months ago that I had a strong interest in going to Madison and majoring in genetics. However, It just dawned on me that I really don't know too much about the major. I know that it's not found at too many schools other than Madison and the ivies. I know that it's in the CALS. I know that it's similar to straight-up biology in the core classes, and that specialization happens in grad school. Otherwise, I'm wondering what a major in genetics from Madison entails. Is it basically just microbiology but only differs in name? Is it especially competitive? Is it a popular major? Would I be able to take the MCAT with the classes I would take? </p>
<p>If anyone could shed some light on this enigmatic major, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.</p>
<p>300 majors at all UG levels so pretty popular. The rest is on the website and pretty clear.</p>
<p>[Genetics</a> at Wisconsin | UW Laboratory of Genetics](<a href=“http://www.genetics.wisc.edu/node/287]Genetics”>http://www.genetics.wisc.edu/node/287)</p>
<p>^^“I know that it’s not found at too many schools other than Madison and the ivies.”</p>
<p>Actually, there are quite a few schools that offer a major in genetics. Also, other schools with a general biology dept. often offer specialty tracks in genetics with their biology major programs. When a specific genetics major isn’t offered, a molecular biology major usually covers this specialty.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies! But are you sure more schools offer genetics? I could find very few in my searches. With 300 people, it sounds pretty competitive to get into. </p>
<p>I guess what I’m still a little unsure of is how undergrad genetics is different from undergrad microbiology? Is it even worth going to a school specifically because they have a genetics major over another school that only offers microbiology?</p>
<p>^“But are you sure more schools offer genetics?”</p>
<p>Besides Wisconsin, here are the programs at Big 10 schools:
Minnesota: Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development: [url=<a href=“http://www.gcd.umn.edu/]U”>http://www.gcd.umn.edu/]U</a> of M: Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Genetics<a href=“BS”>/url</a>
Michigan State: Microbiology & Molecular Genetics: [url=<a href=“http://www.mmg.msu.edu/undergraduate-overview.html#GEN]MSU”>http://www.mmg.msu.edu/undergraduate-overview.html#GEN]MSU</a> Microbiology and Molecular Genetics | Undergraduate Degree<a href=“BS%20Genonomics%20&%20Molecular%20Genetics”>/url</a>
Purdue: Biological Sciences: [url=<a href=“http://www.bio.purdue.edu/Academic/undergrad/degree.req.htm]Department”>http://www.bio.purdue.edu/Academic/undergrad/degree.req.htm]Department</a> Biological Sciences, Purdue University Undergraduate Studies<a href=“Genetic%20Biology”>/url</a>
Illinois: Molecular & Cellular Biology: [url=<a href=“Undergraduate Programs | School of Molecular & Cellular Biology | UIUC”>Undergraduate Programs | School of Molecular & Cellular Biology | UIUC]The</a> School of Molecular and Cellular Biology | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign<a href=“Genetics%20emphasis”>/url</a>
Indiana: Biology: [url=<a href=“http://www.bio.indiana.edu/undergraduate/biotechnology/index.shtml]Biotechnology”>http://www.bio.indiana.edu/undergraduate/biotechnology/index.shtml]Biotechnology</a> (B.S.) : Department of Biology : Indiana University Bloomington<a href=“Biotechnology”>/url</a>
Ohio State: Molecular Genetics: [url=<a href=“http://www.osumolgen.org/ugradprog.htm]Undergraduate”>Department of Molecular Genetics – Science Labs]Undergraduate</a> Programs: Department of Molecular Genetics<a href=“BS”>/url</a>
Penn State: Biology: [url=<a href=“http://bulletins.psu.edu/bulletins/bluebook/college_campus_details.cfm?id=25&program=biol.htm]Undergraduate”>http://bulletins.psu.edu/bulletins/bluebook/college_campus_details.cfm?id=25&program=biol.htm]Undergraduate</a> Degree Programs: Science, Eberly College<a href=“Genetics%20&%20Developmental%20Biology%20Option”>/url</a>
[url=<a href=“http://bulletins.psu.edu/bulletins/bluebook/college_campus_details.cfm?id=25&program=arch|biotc08sp.htm]Undergraduate”>http://bulletins.psu.edu/bulletins/bluebook/college_campus_details.cfm?id=25&program=arch|biotc08sp.htm]Undergraduate</a> Degree Programs: Science, Eberly College<a href=“Biotechnology”>/url</a>
Iowa: Biology; [url=<a href=“http://www.biology.uiowa.edu/undergraduate_tracks.php]Undergraduate”>http://www.biology.uiowa.edu/undergraduate_tracks.php]Undergraduate</a> Degrees and Tracks - Department of Biology - The University of Iowa<a href=“Genetics%20&%20Biotechnology%20Track”>/url</a>
Northwestern: Biological Sciences: [url=<a href=“http://www.biosci.northwestern.edu/undergraduate/concentrations.html]Degree”>http://www.biosci.northwestern.edu/undergraduate/concentrations.html]Degree</a> Concentrations, Undergraduate, Biological Sciences, WCAS, Northwestern University<a href=“Genetics%20&%20Molecular%20Biology%20Area%20of%20Concentration”>/url</a></p>
<p>If you look for undergrad programs in a dept. specifically labeled “genetics”, you’ll turn up fewer programs; if you expand the search to specialty tracks within biology depts or in molecular biology depts, you’ll find more programs.</p>
<p>Admission is open to all. Not a restricted dept. UW had the first genetics dept in the US and it’s till very good.</p>
<p>Ok, great, thanks! I am assuming that it can be taken Pre-Med as well then, yes?</p>