Program Overview

Introduction to the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program

The major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is designed to encourage students to understand and appreciate the important linkages between biological disciplines. This major is broad, including components of evolutionary biology, ecology, and physiology.

Program Overview

In the 21st century, biologists in fields ranging from medicine to global change biology increasingly incorporate ecological and evolutionary ideas in their research. The major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology prepares students for graduate programs in either ecology or evolution for advanced study. It also provides the foundation to pursue careers in governmental and non-governmental environmental organizations, in industry, and in professional schools.

Major Requirements

• A. Required Major Courses:
  • BIO SCI 2E: Topics and Careers in Ecology and Evolution
  • BIO SCI 4B: Introduction to Field Biology
  • BIO SCI E106: Processes in Ecology and Evolution
  • BIO SCI E107: Seminar in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • STATS 8: Introduction to Biological Statistics
• B. Upper-Division Laboratories:
  • BIO SCI E115L: Evolution Laboratory
  • BIO SCI E166L: Field Biology
  • Select one of the following:
    • BIO SCI E106L: Habitats and Organisms
    • BIO SCI E112L: Physiology Laboratory
    • BIO SCI E131L: Image Analysis in Biological Research
    • BIO SCI E140L: Evolution and the Environment Laboratory
    • BIO SCI E179L: Field Freshwater Ecology
    • BIO SCI E186L: Population and Community Ecology Lab
• C. Upper-Division Biology Electives:
  • Select three four-unit courses from BIO SCI E118E190
• D. Independent Study:
  • Minimum one quarter of independent study, usually BIO SCI 199; BIO SCI 197 can be substituted for BIO SCI 199

Sample Program

The sample program for the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major is outlined as follows:

• Freshman:
  • Fall: BIO SCI 90L, BIO SCI 93, CHEM 1A, BIO SCI 2A, General Education
  • Winter: BIO SCI 2E, BIO SCI 94, CHEM 1B, Lower-Division Writing
  • Spring: BIO SCI 4B, CHEM 1C, CHEM 1LC, Lower-Division Writing, STATS 8
• Sophomore:
  • Fall: BIO SCI 97, CHEM 51A, MATH 5A, General Education
  • Winter: BIO SCI 98, CHEM 51B, CHEM 51LB
  • Spring: BIO SCI 99, CHEM 51C, CHEM 51LC, MATH 5B
• Junior:
  • Fall: BIO SCI E106, BIO SCI E107, PHYSICS 3A, BIO SCI 100, Bio Sci Research
  • Winter: UD Bio Sci Elective, PHYSICS 3B, PHYSICS 3LB, Bio Sci Research, General Education
  • Spring: PHYSICS 3C, PHYSICS 3LC, UD Bio Sci Elective, Bio Sci Research
• Senior:
  • Fall: BIO SCI E166L, UD Bio Sci Lab, Bio Sci Research, General Elective
  • Winter: UD Bio Sci Elective, Bio Sci Research, General Education
  • Spring: BIO SCI E115L, UD Bio Sci Elective, Bio Sci Research, General Education

Additional Information

• Students have the option of taking HUMAN 1AS, HUMAN 1BS, HUMAN 1CS, or WRITING 40, WRITING 50, WRITING 60 to fulfill the lower-division writing requirement.
• BIO SCI E106 is offered in all three quarters, is a prerequisite for many upper-division courses, and may be taken at any time after completion of BIO SCI 94.
• Double majors within the School of Biological Sciences or with Public Health Sciences, Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, Nursing Science, or Pharmaceutical Sciences are not permitted.