B.S. Degree in Biological Sciences with a Concentration in Ecology and Organismic Biology
An Ecology and Organismic Biology (EOB) admission committee advises students in the program. Requirements for admission are:
- GPA of at least 3.0 in prerequisite courses listed below
- Support of a faculty member for the required research activity
In some cases the committee may interview the student as part of its determination of admission. Application to the program typically occurs in the spring of the sophomore year.
Degree Requirements
I. Prerequisite courses for admission to the EOB concentration
All of the following:
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 207-208 Introductory Biology I and II | 8 |
| CHEM 103-104 General Chemistry | 8 |
| CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| MATH 241 Analytic Geometry and Calculus A | 4 |
| BISC 302 General Ecology, OR BISC 306 General Physiology |
3 |
II. Required lecture courses
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 302 General Ecology | 3 |
| BISC 305 Cell Biology, OR BISC 401 Molecular Biology of the Cell |
3 |
| BISC 306 General Physiology | 3 |
| BISC 403 Genetic and Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
III. Required courses in experimental biology
For more information and to apply for admission into an investigative lab, see the Request for Enrollment in an Investigative Lab
Two must be taken; others may be electives:
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 312 Quantitative Ecology | 3 |
BISC 315 Experimental Cell Biology |
3 |
| BISC 316 Experimental Physiology | 3 |
| BISC 411 Experimental Molecular Biology of the Cell | 3 |
| BISC 413 Experimental Genetic and Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
IV. Senior Thesis
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 451-452 Senior Thesis, OR UNIV 401-402 Senior Thesis |
3+3 |
Graduating seniors must submit a completed Senior Thesis Defense Results Form to the Undergraduate Program Director at least two weeks prior to the last day of classes for the Spring Semester.
V. Electives
Electives from the following lists to total 43 credit hour in the major. Note that many courses have prerequisites. Courses must be taken from a minimum of two of the groups and have approval of the faculty research advisor. One of the elective courses must be from the list of approved 600 level courses based on the primary literature.
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 480 Vertebrate Natural History | 3 |
| BISC 495 Evolution | 3 |
| BISC 637 Population Ecology | 3 |
| BISC 641 Microbial Ecology | 3 |
| BISC 656 Evolutionary Genetics | 3 |
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 300 Introduction to Microbiology | 4 |
| BISC 442 Vertebrate Morphology | 4 |
| BISC 605 Advanced Mammalian Physiology | 4 |
| BISC 626-627 Neuroscience I and II | 8 |
| BISC 630 Ichthyology | 4 |
| BISC 642 Advanced Vertebrate Anatomy | 4 |
| BISC 660 Environmental Physiology | 3 |
| BISC 661 Biology of Striated Muscle | 3 |
| BISC 675 Cardiopulmonary Physiology | 3 |
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 471 Immunology | 3 |
| BISC 408 Histology, OR BISC 617 Electron Microscopy |
4 OR 3 |
| BISC 612 Advanced Cell Biology | 3 |
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 312 Quantitative Ecology | 3 |
BISC 315 Experimental Cell Biology |
3 |
| BISC 316 Experimental Physiology | 3 |
| BISC 411 Experimental Molecular Biology of the Cell | 3 |
| BISC 413 Experimental Genetic and Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
Approved electives from other departments
A total of six credits from a list of approved courses can be applied towards the credits required for the major. A minimum grade of C (not C-) is required for those courses.
A grade of D (not D-) or better must be obtained in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics courses required for all Biological Sciences majors and minor.
VI. Additional requirements outside the Department of Biological Sciences
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PHYS 201-202 General Physics | 8 |
| CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| A course in Statistics (STAT) | 3 |
VII. University and College requirements for all Biological Sciences B.S. concentrations
