Mar 28, 2024  
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology Ecology Specialization, B.S.


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Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with their physical and biological environment. The ecology specialization is designed for students interested in basic and applied ecology, including fisheries, wildlife management, forestry, ecological restoration and conservation biology. Students following this specialization will gain experience in natural history, field research and experimental design. Potential careers may be found in federal, state and tribal agencies, or private environmental consulting firms. The ecology faculty strongly suggest that every student augment the single required taxonomy course with an elective second taxonomy course. Students interested in graduate study in ecology should work closely with their advisor to tailor this specialization to their particular field of interest.

Required Courses


Biology Core


The B.S. major offers undergraduate students a degree program with depth of training in the biological sciences and supporting fields. This program prepares students for immediate entrance into careers in biological sciences or for graduate work (for preparation for teaching high school biology, see biology teaching major). Students may choose a general B.S. degree (no specialization), or a specialization in one of three areas: cell and molecular biology, ecology, or organismal biology (these will be indicated on the student’s transcripts). Students consult with the appropriate biology advisor for approval of their B.S. program and electives, which must be submitted for approval to the biological sciences department at least one academic year preceding graduation. All students in the B.S. biology major must complete all B.S. core requirements, plus additional specific requirements if they choose a specialization. A maximum of 15 credits in BIOL 490 and BIOL 496 may be included in the major. CHEM 181 has a prerequisite of high school chemistry and qualification for MATH 153. BIOL 360 has a prerequisite of MATH 153.

Organic Chemistry and Laboratory Credits: 8


Core Total Credits: 61


Organismal diversity requirement:


All students in the Biology B.S. program must take at least one advanced (300- or 400-level) animal course, one advanced plant course, and one advanced course covering other organisms (fungi, protists, bacteria, viruses). These courses may be contained within the Core or taken as electives. See department for list of approved courses in each category. These need not be additional courses; they may be courses already included to satisfy other major requirements.

Additional Required Courses


Select one of the following advanced ecology courses - Credits: 5


Select one of the following taxonomy courses - Credits: 4 to 5


Approved Electives Credits: 19-20


Total Credits: 100


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