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 Curriculum.
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 275 Quantitative Biology (4)
BIOL 341 Genetics (4)
BIOL 345 Principles of Ecology (4)
BIOL 348 Evolutionary Biology (3)
BIOL 365 Developmental Biology (4) OR
BIOL 385 Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 478 Research Design (3)
BIOL 497 Undergraduate Research in 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 )
Math (one course)
MATH 127 College Algebra (3)
MATH 142 Pre-Calculus (5)
MATH 143 Trigonometry (3)
MATH 261 Calculus I (4)
Chemistry (8 credits)
CHEM 150/CHEM 150L General Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 210/CHEM 210L General Chemistry II (4)
*CHEM 275 can be taken in place of either CHEM 150L or CHEM 210L
Physics (8 credits)
PHYS 160 Physics I with Algebra & Lab (4) and PHYS 161 Physics II with Algebra & Lab (4) OR
PHYS 200 Physics I with Calculus & Lab (4) and PHYS 201 Physics II with Calculus & Lab (4)
Restricted Electives
( 15 credits )
Choose at least one course from Suborganismal area:
BIOL 311 Neurobiology (4)
BIOL 347 Plant Physiology (4)
BIOL 349 Human Physiology (4)
BIOL 360 Cellular and Molecular Physiology (4)
Choose at least one course from Organismal area:
BIOL 305 General Botany (4)
BIOL 321 Invertebrate Zoology (3)
BIOL 322 Vertebrate Zoology (4)
BIOL 350 Microbiology (4)
Choose at least one course from Populations & Ecosystems area:
BIOL 308 Pacific Northwest Ecology (3)
BIOL 326 Minnesota Plant Identification (4)
BIOL 335 Tropical Conservation Biology (3)
BIOL 372 Aquatic Biology (4)
BIOL 402 Principles of Animal Behavior (3)
BIOL 455 Wildlife Ecology (4)
Additional course option:
BIOL 385/BIOL 385L Molecular Biology and Lab (4)
Electives
( 6 credits )
Select a minimum of six credits from the following list of courses:
BIOL 236 Foundations of Microbiology (4)
BIOL 248 Introduction to Public Health (3)
BIOL 308 Pacific Northwest Ecology (3)
BIOL 335 Tropical Conservation 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)
ENGL 387 Technical Report Writing (3)
GEOS 305 Oceanography (3)
GEOS 416 Paleontology (3)
HSAD 326 Epidemiology and Introductory Biostatistics (3)
MATH 262 Calculus II (4)
SUST 200 Nature of Sustainability (3)
SUST 421 Systems Thinking (3)
SUST 432 Environmental Dilemmas (3)
Emphasis in Geospatial Analysis
Program Requirements
( 18 credits )
GEOS 205 Thinking Spatially (3)
GEOS 207 GPS Field Techniques (3)
GEOS 210 Cartography (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)