Placeholder for header/hero

Biology Collections

Subtitle

Study Biology Up Close

Intro

Sometimes seeing what you are studying goes a long way toward understanding how it works or functions. That's why the Department of Biology has some incredible collections that you can experience. From mammals and birds to insects and invertebrates, we have something for everyone.

Widgets
A turtle with yellow and black stripes sticks his face out of water.
1/3
A turtle with yellow and black stripes sticks his face out of water.
A turtle with yellow and black stripes sticks his face out of water.
Two students crouch down and look at a fish tank in Phillips Hall.
2/3
Two students crouch down and look at a fish tank in Phillips Hall.
Two students crouch down and look at a fish tank in Phillips Hall.
UWEC student looking at fish collection
3/3
UWEC student looking at fish collection
UWEC student looking at fish collection.

Explore the Many Collections at UWEC

Amphibian and Reptile Collections

This extensive collection of more than 1,200 preserved specimens, representing 250 amphibian and reptile species primarily from North America, is a great teaching and learning tool. We also have some live specimens that are housed throughout Phillips Hall for Blugolds to study.

Fish Collection

Thousands of different types of fish populate the world and we have a collection of more than 5,000 of them from over 100 fish families. This extensive collection gives you an opportunity to get a closer look at the distinct details of each.

Living Marine Coral Reef Community

Whether you need a study break or need to actually study the marine life inside, the saltwater aquaria has just what you are looking for. The tanks are filled with bright sea anemones, colorful fish, brittle stars and more saltwater life that will mesmerize you. This 125-gallon tropical collection can be found in the hallway on the third floor of Phillips Hall.

If you're interested in getting involved in caring for this collection, you can inquire about joining the Reef Team on BlugoldConnect+.

The coral reef environment in Phillips Hall.
1/4
The coral reef environment in Phillips Hall.
A fish inside the saltwater tank in Phillips Hall.
2/4
A fish inside the saltwater tank in Phillips Hall.
Purple, pink, and green coral in the saltwater tanks in Phillips Hall.
3/4
Purple, pink, and green coral in the saltwater tanks in Phillips Hall.
A student from the Reef Team cares for the saltwater tanks in Phillips Hall.
4/4
A student from the Reef Team cares for the saltwater tanks in Phillips Hall.

The Herbarium

Wisconsin has a plethora of plant life! We've gathered over 10,000 plants from western and central Wisconsin for this collection. The dried and pressed plants offer biology students a closer look at the complexity of a single plant.

Insect and Invertebrate Collections

They creeped, they crawled and we collected them so you can learn! The insect collection boasts more than 350,000 insect specimens, which are mainly terrestrial and aquatic insects from all over the Upper Midwest region. In addition, the invertebrate collection contains many terrestrial and aquatic specimens that are common in West-Central Wisconsin.

Mammal + Bird Collection

Not only does Phillips Hall house the bird museum, it also features a mammal and bird collection (because you can never have too many birds!). This collection contains more than 900 specimens from over 300 species. As for the mammals, there are hundreds of study kinds and skulls that represent 65 species.

Page Family

Biology Department

Phillips Science Hall 330
101 Roosevelt Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
United States

715-836-4166