BS in Biology: Ecology specialization
Career Options
Students who complete this concentration are well qualified to pursue careers in ecology, environmental science, and conservation biology. They also may choose to further their education in graduate school.
Students pursuing the Ecology concentration primarily focus on topics in organismal biology as well as ecology, with an emphasis on field labs. In addition to chemistry, physics, and mathematics, students receive training in GIS.
Courses & Requirements
The concentration in Ecology requires a minimum of 78 credit hours in Biology, Chemistry, Geography-Anthropology, Physics, and Math. (University degree requirements also include Core Curriculum and other courses for a minimum of 120 credit hours total.) A grade of C- or higher is required for all courses listed below, including biology as well as additional science and math courses. You can find complete Biology course descriptions under Course List.
Download requirement checklists for the following academic years:
Course requirements for the specialization are the following:
1) Seven core courses in the biology major
2) Ten credits of Organismal Biology courses
3) Ten credits of courses in Ecology
4) Additional science and math courses given below
5) Three field labs (marked with * below)
| BIO 105 | Biological Principles I: Cellular Biology | 3.0 Credits |
| BIO 106 | Biological Principles: Laboratory Biology | 1.5 Credits |
| BIO 107 | Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ecology | 4.5 Credits |
| BIO 109 | Biological Principles III: Functional Biology | 3.0 Credits |
| BIO 201 | Genetics | 3.0 Credits |
| BIO 217 | Evolution | 3.0 Credits |
| BIO 331 | Ecological Principles | 3.0 Credits |
| BIO 205 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | 5.0 Credits |
| BIO 231 | Botany* | 4.5 Credits |
| BIO 291 | Ornithology* | 4.5 Credits |
| BIO 311, 312 | Microbiology and Laboratory | 3.0 and 2.0 Credits |
| BIO 335 | Entomology* | 3.0 Credits |
| BIO 351 | Invertebrate Zoology | 5.0 Credits |
| BIO 353 | Vertebrate Zoology* | 5.0 Credits |
| BIO 361, 362 |
Parasitology and Laboratory |
2.0 Credits each |
| BIO 381 | Plant Physiology | 4.5 Credits |
| BIO 405, 406 |
Animal Behavior and Laboratory* |
3.0 and 2.0 Credits |
| BIO 332 | Field Ecology* | 2.0 Credits |
| BIO 337 | Marine Ecology* | 5.0 Credits |
| BIO 383 | Plant Ecology* | 5.0 Credits |
| BIO 403, 404 |
Comparative Animal Physiology and Laboratory |
3.0 and 2.0 Credits |
| BIO 415, 416 |
Microbial Ecology and Laboratory |
3.0 and 2.0 Credits |
Additional Math & Science courses
Mathematics
| MAT 152 | Calculus A | 4.0 Credits |
| MAT 220 | Statistics for the Biological Sciences | 4.0 Credits |
Chemistry
| CHY 113 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3.0 Credits |
| CHY 114 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1.0 Credit |
| CHY 115 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3.0 Credits |
| CHY 116 | Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory | 1.0 Credit |
| CHY 251 | Organic Chemistry I | 3.0 Credits |
| CHY 252 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 2.0 Credits |
| CHY 253 | Organic Chemistry II | 3.0 Credits |
Geography-Anthropology
| GEO 108 | Introduction to ArcGIS | 3.0 Credits |
Physics
| EITHER | ||
| PHY 111 | Elements of Physics I | 4.0 Credits |
| PHY 114 | Elements of Physics I Laboratory | 1.0 Credit |
| PHY 112 | Elements of Physics II | 4.0 Credits |
| PHY 116 | Elements of Physics II Laboratory | 1.0 Credit |
| OR | ||
| PHY 121 | General Physics I | 4.0 Credits |
| PHY 114 | Elements of Physics I Laboratory | 1.0 Credit |
| PHY 123 | General Physics II | 4.0 Credits |
| PHY 116 | Elements of Physics II Laboratory | 1.0 Credit |
Year 1 |
|
|
Fall semester |
|
|
BIO 105 | Biological Principles I: Cellular Biology | 3 |
BIO 106 | Laboratory Biology | 1.5 |
CHY 113 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
CHY 114 | Laboratory Techniques I | 1 |
ENG 100 | English Composition | 3 |
EYE | Entry Year Experience | 3 |
| Total credits | 14.5 |
Spring semester |
|
|
BIO 107 | Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity and Evolution (Science Exploration) | 4.5 |
CHY 115 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
CHY 116 | Laboratory Techniques II | 1 |
MAT 152 | Calculus A | 4 |
Core curriculum course | Creative Expression, Socio-cultural Analysis or Cultural Interpretation | 3 |
| Total credits | 15.5 |
Year 2 |
|
|
Fall semester |
|
|
BIO 109 | Biological Principles III: Functional Biology | 3 |
BIO 331 | Ecological Principles | 3 |
CHY 251 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
CHY 252 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
MAT 220 | Statistics for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
| Total credits | 15 |
Spring semester |
|
|
BIO 217 | Evolution | 3 |
CHY 253 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
GEO 108 | Introduction to ArcGIS | 3 |
Core curriculum course | Creative Expression, Socio-cultural Analysis or Cultural Interpretation | 3 |
Core curriculum course | Creative Expression, Socio-cultural Analysis or Cultural Interpretation | 3 |
| Total credits | 15 |
Year 3 |
|
|
Fall semester |
|
|
BIO 201 | Genetics | 3 |
Ecology or Organismal Biology courses |
| 3 – 5 |
Physics | Elements of Physics I or General Physics I | 4 |
PHY 114 | Introductory Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility and Citizenship |
| 3 |
| Total credits | 14 – 16 |
Spring semester |
|
|
Ecology or Organismal Biology courses |
| 3 – 5 |
Physics | Elements of Physics II or General Physics II | 4 |
PHY 116 | Introductory Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
Thematic cluster course |
| 3 |
Thematic cluster course |
| 3 |
| Total credits | 14 – 16 |
Year 4 |
|
|
Fall semester |
|
|
Ecology or Organismal Biology courses |
| 3 – 5 |
Ecology or Organismal Biology courses |
| 3 – 5 |
Thematic cluster course |
| 3 |
Diversity course |
| 3 |
| Total credits | 12 – 16 |
Spring semester |
|
|
Ecology or Organismal Biology courses |
| 3 – 5 |
Ecology or Organismal Biology courses |
| 3 – 5 |
International course |
| 3 |
Capstone course |
| 3 |
| Total credits | 12 – 16 |
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