The major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is an innovative program of study. Our diverse faculty offer engaging, student-centered courses with amply opportunities for hands-on learning in the lab and field in addition to research and study abroad programming in Ecuador, Australia, and Scandinavia, for example. Students are encouraged to join our labs, where they can develop a wide range of skills and expertise in areas including molecular and microbiology, physiology, animal behavior, and disease and field ecology. The EBIO major prepares students for careers in zoology, botany, conservation, science education, consulting, non-governmental organizations, as well as graduate and professional programs. Students interested in pursuing advanced study in public health, medical, or veterinary school also benefit from the breadth and depth of the major, and the unique extent of faculty-student engagement.
The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department also offers a major in Environmental Biology and a minor in Marine Biology to undergraduate students.
All ENVB/EEBI majors and minors must meet with a major advisor in the EBIO department. We recommend that you meet with your major advisor at least once a semester. Students are responsible for regularly reviewing and understanding their degree audit. Advisors provide guidance but do not over-ride the audit. If you have uncertainty about a requirement or course plan, it is your responsibility to ensure that any changes or course modifications still meet the requirements for your degree according to your audit.
Core Courses
- EBIO 1010 – Diversity of Life
- EBIO 1015 – Diversity of Life Laboratory
- EBIO 1020 - Mechanisms of Life (Spring only) OR CELL 1010 – General Biology
- EBIO 2020 – Theory and Methods in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- EBIO 2070 – Molecular & Evolutionary Genetics (Fall only)
- EBIO 3080 – Processes of Evolution (Spring only)
- EBIO 3040 – General Ecology (Fall only)
- EBIO 3045 – General Ecology Laboratory (Fall only)
- EBIO 5970/5971 - Contemporary Issues in EEB
Elective Courses
- Three 3-credit elective EEB lecture courses.
- Three 4-credit elective EEB laboratory / field courses.
- Of the elective courses, one may be taken from a list of approved courses outside of the department. See list of approved courses from outside departments below.
- One lecture elective and one lab elective may be counted from pre-approved study abroad program.
- Maximum of one three-credit course from EBIO 2660, 4660, 4960, 4990 as one of the lecture electives.
- Internship studies, independent studies and seminars cannot count as electives.
Capstone in the EEB Major
- One of the following two courses is required to be taken in Fall or Spring of Senior year:
- EBIO 5970 is 3 credits and satisfies the writing intensive requirement.
- EBIO 5971 is 2 credits and does not satisfy the writing intensive requirement.
- Students attend departmental research seminars and meet separately to discuss them as contemporary topics in ecology and evolutionary biology. Career development is also considered in the course.
Required Courses from Other Departments
- Two semesters of Mathematics
A minimum of 6 credits of mathematics is required for the Bachelor's degree. Any two Mathematics courses numbered 1210 and above may be used to satisfy this requirement. However, the combination of MATH 1150 and MATH 1160 (Long Calculus) may count as one course towards this requirement. - Two semesters of General Chemistry with labs (CHEM 1070/1075, 1080/1085 or H1090/H1095, H1100/H1105)
- One semester of Organic Chemistry with lab may be counted as a lab elective in the major. If it is counted, then no other courses outside the department can be used as elective courses.
- Courses in Statistics and Physics are highly recommended but not required.
Courses Outside EEB that May Count Towards the Major in EEB
Only one course from this list may count toward the major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEBI). These courses may not be used to satisfy requirements of the major in Environmental Biology (ENVB).
Anthropology
- ANTH 3140 – Primate Behavior and Ecology
- ANTH 3720 – Adaptation and Human Variability
- ANTH 6500 – Human Evolution
Cell and Molecular Biology
- CELL 3750 – Cell Biology
- CELL 3755 – Cell Biology Laboratory
- CELL 3030 – Molecular Biology
- CELL 3035 – Molecular Biology Laboratory
- CELL 4010 – Cellular Biochemistry
- CELL 4110 – Cells and Tissues
- CELL 4160 – Developmental Biology
- CELL 4220 – Microbiology
- CELL 4225 – Microbiology Laboratory
Chemistry
- CHEM 2500 – Environmental Chemistry
- CHEM 3830 – Introduction to Biochemistry
- CHEM 3835 – Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory
Other Courses
- SCEN 4110/GBCH 6110 - Basic Medical Biochemistry
For more information about courses offered by EE Biology, review the University Catalog.
