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B.S. Degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology {17-18}

B.S. Degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Description
This degree prepares student for careers in resource management, conservation biology, studies at the population and ecosystem levels, and preparation for advanced study in organismal biology. This is also the recommended path for preparation for Veterinary School. To receive the B.S. Degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, the student must meet the minimum university requirements and specific requirements for the program. Completion of 120 credits is required for this degree, which includes the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core (42 credits).

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Understand fundamental biological concepts at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecosystem levels.
  • Recognize evolution by natural selection as a unifying theme across biological disciplines.
  • Demonstrate competence in general lab and field skills and be introduced to discipline-specific skills and their professional applications.
  • Apply critical thinking skills and quantitative tools to evaluate biological information.
  • Practice effective oral and written communication of scientific ideas in the manner of professional biologists.
  • Acquire basic research skills in introductory courses and refine these skills in advanced courses including independent research.
  • Recognize the value of multicultural and ethical perspectives in the advancement and application of science in human society.

Program Delivery Mode
Land plus: face-to-face where some online courses may be available or required

Core Requirements ( 32-33 credits )

Students must take the lecture and lab together for Organismal Biology and Cell Biology.

BIOL 111 Cell Biology (4)
BIOL 115 Organismal Biology (4)
BIOL 341 Genetics (4)
BIOL 275 Quantitative Biology (4) 
BIOL 345 Principles of Ecology (4) 
BIOL 348 Evolutionary Biology (3) 
BIOL 478 Research Design (3) 
BIOL 497 Research in Biology (3)
BIOL 365 Developmental Biology (4) OR

BIOL 385 Molecular Biology (3)

Designated Writing Intensive Course for Major
Choose from one course: BIOL 348 - Evolutionary Biology BIOL 365 - Developmental Biology BIOL 372 - Aquatic Biology BIOL 478 - Research Design

Related Requirements ( 19 credits )

Students must complete one MATH course from the list. Students must complete eight credits of General Chemistry I & II. Students must complete eight credits of PHYS chosen from College Physics I & II OR General Physics I & II.

CHEM 150/CHEM 150L General Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 210/CHEM 210L General Chemistry II (4)
MATH 127 College Algebra (3) OR
MATH 142 Pre-Calculus (5) OR
MATH 143 Trigonometry (3) OR
MATH 261 Calculus I (4) 
PHYS 160 College Physics I with Lab (4) and
PHYS 161 College Physics II with Lab (4) OR
PHYS 200 General Physics I with Lab (4) and
PHYS 201 General Physics II with Lab (4)

Restricted Electives ( 15 credits )

Students must complete a minimum of one course from the Suborganismal area (Select from BIOL 347, 349, 360); one course from the Organismal area (Select from Biology 305, 321, 322, 350); one course from the Populations and Ecosystems area (Select from Biology 326, 372, 402, 455); and two additional courses to reach a minimum of 15 credits.

BIOL 305 General Botany (4) 
BIOL 321 Invertebrate Zoology (3) 
BIOL 322 Vertebrate Zoology (4) 
BIOL 326 Minnesota Plant Identification (4) 
BIOL 347 Plant Physiology (4) 
BIOL 349 Human Physiology (4) 
BIOL 350 Microbiology (4) 
BIOL 360 Cellular and Molecular Physiology (4) 
BIOL 372 Aquatic Biology (4) 
BIOL 385 Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 385L Molecular Biology Lab (1) 
BIOL 402 Principles of Animal Behavior (3) 
BIOL 455 Wildlife Ecology (4)

Electives ( 6 credits )

Select a minimum of six credits from the following list of courses:

BIOL 335 Tropical Field Biology (3) 
BIOL 346 An Ecological Perspective (3) 
BIOL 365 Developmental Biology (4) 
BIOL 469 Internship (1-12) 
BIOL 470 Undergraduate Laboratory Teaching (1) 
BIOL 497 Undergraduate Research in Biology (1-3) 
CHEM 350 Organic Chemistry I (3) 
CHEM 355 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1) 
CHEM 360 Organic Chemistry II (3) 
CHEM 365 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1) 
CHEM 400 Biochemistry I (3) 
CHEM 405 Biochemistry Laboratory I (1) 
CHEM 410 Biochemistry II (3)
GEOS 305 Oceanography (3) 
GEOS 416 Paleontology (3) 
GEOS 417 Taphonomy and Paleoecology (3) 
HSAD 326 Epidemiology (3) 
MATH 262 Calculus II (4)

Emphasis in Geospatial Analysis

Program Requirements ( 18 credits )

GEOS 205 Thinking Spatially (LASC 3) (3)
GEOS 207 GPS Field Techniques (3)
GEOS 210 Cartography (LASC 5) (3)
GEOS 307 Introduction to GIS (3)

One advanced course in geospatial analysis
GEOS 407 Spatial Analysis (4) OR
Approved Advanced GEOS Course

Research experience in applying GIS to a biological system
BIOL 497 Research in Biology (3) OR
GEOS 397 Research in Biosciences (3)